The fifth starter competition was far more important than the Reds' seventh loss in a row. Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman allowed one run in five innings. The Angels scored on a solo home run off the bat of Howie Kendrick off Chapman.
"Leake was really good," Baker said. "Chapman was pretty good. Our starters have
been really good. Some of younger kids get in the game and are a
little overmatched right now. People say get them out but they have
to get their work in. We have to get them ready too. For Chapman
it's early. I don't want him in mid-season form right now. Sometimes
we expect too much all the time. He threw some good sliders to
Pujols."
Leake and Chapman are the candidates trying to win the job of fifth starter but nothing has been decided and probably won't be for awhile.
"We will take the best 12 pitchers in their best roles for whatever is good for the ballclub," pitching coach Bryan Price said. "This is one of those things that will go for awhile until a decision is made. Leake isn't best suited for the bullpen. I think Leake is a good Major League pitcher, who hasn't had his best season yet. I don't want this to get lost. Mike Leake is an outstanding pitcher. It is not like we are moving Chapman because there is a weakness. Can Aroldis be a top of the rotation starting pitcher? That is what we are trying to find out. We know he can close. It is a fascinating situation. We will do what's in the best interest of the team."
 |
| http://www.wiedemannbeer.com/ |
Leake is bewildered and inspired at the same time.
"I like be the guy that surprises," Leake said. He shocked baseball by making the Reds' rotation right off the Arizona State campus. "The competition helps me. It gives me fire. I don't get lazy but I get comfortable. Competition gets me to show what I can do. I also like to be respected. I guess you can say I like it both ways."
When cornered Leake admitted that he doesn't fully understand why Chapman is being moved to the rotation.
"I don't understand it exactly," Leake said. "They (Reds management) have their reasons. It is not my concern."
Chapman claims it doesn't faze him.
Through interpreter Miguel Cairo, Chapman said, "I don't think about it. I just go out and do my job."
The Reds' starters left with a 2-1 lead but young Josh Ravin couldn't hold it and the Reds fell to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6-4 at lovely Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Jay Bruce hit home runs off Tommy Hannson and Scott Downs. He took Hanson out to left centerfield and smacked an offering from the left-handed Downs far over the fence in right.
"It was nice to see Jay (Bruce) swing the bat well," Dusty Baker said. "It's his best
game so far. He hit one out to center. You know when he does that
he's staying on the ball and not pulling off."
"Joey (Votto) is swinging the bat well too."
Fans need not worry about the Reds' 2-11 Cactus League record. The Angels with the high-priced talent they've assembled improved to 2-8-2.
"We're tied with them sort of," Baker said. "This very
well could be the World Series. No one will remember the Cactus
League record. Who won the Cactus League last year?"
 |
| Professionally edited by ML Schirmer for proof reading services call 513-240-3120 |
No comments:
Post a Comment