The Reds Lose To Cleveland in Another Slugfest

The Reds sent Alfredo Simon to the mound against the Cleveland Indians.  The Reds are using the first four games of the exhibition season to see what the young pitchers can do and keep the candidates from the starting rotation from getting too many innings.

"The big boys haven't pitched yet," Dusty Baker said.  "I'm excited to see them."

Homer Bailey will be the first of the Reds' rotation to pitch on Tuesday against San Diego.

The Reds have given up 24 runs in two games but have scored 20 themselves.

Cleveland won for the second day in a row by a 13-10 score.  There were 35 hits in the game.  Cleveland had 17.  The Reds had 18.

Reds' pitchers, however, issued six bases on balls and three home runs.

Cord Phelps hit one off Daniel Corcino.  Ryan Raburn hit a pair of two-run home runs, one off Chad Rogers and one off Kanekoa Texeira.

On the plus side, Shin-Soo Choo opened the game with a single and scored. He has been on base to lead off both games.  The Reds leadoff hitters had the worst on-base-percentage in the National League last season.


"That's what Choo is here for," Baker said.  "You can read into it as much as you
like. We like that if he gets on like this, think of the year that
Brandon (Phillips) is going to have Joey (Votto), (Ryan) Ludwick and
(Jay) Bruce. This is going to be exciting."


Billy Hamilton got into action for the first time.  He got four at bats.

He bunted into an out in his first at bat.  He struck out looking in his second at bat.  Hamilton singled in his third at bat.  The crowd and press anticipated a stolen base attempt.  On the third pitch Hamilton took off but Emmanuel Burriss singled on the hit-and-run.  Hamilton struck out looking leading off the ninth inning.