Reds Struggling Offense Was Aggressive Against Canada

The Reds' bats were struggling during a seven-game spring losing streak.

With one of its most productive hitters this spring, Joey Votto, joining the Canadian team for the World Baseball Classic, the struggles seemed likely to continue.

The Reds turned the Canadian tuneup into a trouncing in a 12-2 win.  The Reds pounded out 18 hits, including three-run home runs by Ryan Ludwick and Miguel Olivo.  Ludwick had not driven in a run up to his big swing against Padres' Double-A pitcher, Mark Hardy.
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Todd Frazier, who hit to solid singles, explained the renaissance.

"Tonight it seemed that everybody was getting that first strike and did something with it," said Frazier, who had two of the hits. "For me that's basically what I was trying to do, just trying to get in a groove. Like (manager Dusty Baker) says all the time, 'You get that first-pitch fastball, let's go do some damage.' We hit the ball really hard tonight."

Baker is an advocate of being aggressive at the plate.

While Baker appreciates good defense and the Reds won 97 games last season with good pitching and stellar defense, he loves to see his teams swing the bats.

"Hitters are hard to find," Baker said.  "When you shake the baseball tree, 100 gloves will fall out and maybe two bats."

That's the reason the Reds dealt legitimate Gold Glove centerfielder, Drew Stubbs, for Shin-Soo Choo.

Choo set the table with two hits against Canada.

Mat Latos allowed a two-run home run to Adam Loewen.  Latos gave up two hits and a walk in three innings.

The Reds pitchers held the Canadian team to just two hits over the final six frames.

Jonathan Broxton (1 IP), Sam LeCure (2 IP), Ismael Guillon (1 IP), Kyle Lotzkar (1 IP) and Drew Hayes (1 IP) held off the Canadians.  Former AL MVP, Justin Morneau, was 0-for-2 with a walk.

The Reds have Thursday off.  They will host the Chicago Cubs Friday night at Goodyear.

Professionally edited by ML Schirmer
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