Exhibition Indicates The Reds Were Taken Dusty Disagrees

Bronson Arroyo was wild, or squeezed by the umpire.  At any rate he walked five and allowed six hits in four innings.  He threw 81 pitches with 47 strikes.

Edinson Volquez on the other hand threw one more pitch and one more strike but navigated 5 2/3 innings.  He gave up an infield hit and a walk to Ryan Hanigan .  He walked Zack Cozart, who stole second, went to third on a deep fly by Joey Votto and scored on a medium depth fly out by Ryan Ludwick.

The other member from "The Trade" for Mat Latos, Yonder Alonso singled and tripled, scoring two runs.

Once Volquez left, Jay Bruce singled home Cozart who singled with one out in the sixth.  Ludwick singled him to third and Jay Bruce lined a single to score Cozart for the Reds second run.

Sean Marshall may very well be the closer since Ryan Madson appears unfit for duty this late in spring training.  Marshall has been tough in his last five outings.  He has not allowed a run in six innings, including two perfect frames against San Diego tonight.  He struck out the side in his first inning of work.

Brad Boxberger looked really sharp for San Diego in the ninth inning.  He struck out Juan Francisco and Daryl Jones.  He retired Denis Phipps on a broken bat pop to the thirdbaseman.  He had a real good split finger.

"Bronson was uncharacteristically wild," Dusty Baker said.  "He was high with his pitches and struggled with his command early but he got better as the game went on."

Baker thought Volquez was really good.

"He threw strikes.  I'm not surprised this is the second year after his surgery and he came back earlier than most from that surgery.  He will have a good year for them.  All of the guys in that trade except Grandal did well for them tonight.  Alonso had a couple of hits.  Boxberger was good.  Latos has been good for us.  Right now that trade looks good for both teams.

There is a long way to go.  Trades will show their value down the road.

Alonso and Grandal would have struggled for playing time for two years at least with Votto and Mesoraco in the picture.  Both Latos and Volquez could benefit for a change of scenery.  Boxberger could be the tipping point but the Reds bullpen is loaded with talent, regardless of the situation with Madson.