Reds Pound Indians In First Cactus League Game

If Bryan Price knew it would be this easy, he'd have managed a long time ago.

Price won in his managerial debut, Ryan Ludwick and Joey Votto singled home runs, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Cleveland Indians 8-3 on Wednesday.

Price was elevated from pitching coach to manager when the Reds fired Dusty Baker after last season despite their third playoff appearance in four years. Price managed a game for the first time at any level.

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Chris Heisey hit a two-run homer and a double in the spring training opener for both Ohio teams. Ludwick has recovered from a shoulder injury that cost him most of last season and limited him after his return.

Billy Hamilton, who stole 13 bases for the Reds last September, drew a walk and stole a base as the Reds leadoff hitter.

The rookie, who thrilled Reds' fans by stealing 13 bases in 14 attempts during the team's stretch run last September, drew a nine-pitch walk against Trevor Bauer. The 23-year old, who is expected to replace Shin-Soo Choo in centerfield for Cincinnati, stole second and continued to third on Yan Gomes wild throw.

 "We just throw them out there and they get to utilize their natural aggressiveness," Price said. "We want guys to take some risks and challenge themselves on the bases. We can see what we need to work on or what guys have more to offer than we've known in the past."

Votto, who drove in just 73 runs last season from the third spot in the batting order, singled home designated hitter Brayan Pena against left-handed reliever T.J House.

 Ryan Raburn doubled and scored for the Indians.

Raburn won a spot on the Indians roster with a hot spring last year.

The Indians started Trevor Bauer, who is trying to earn the fifth starting spot in the Indians rotation. Bauer walked the first two batters in his only inning of work but escaped without allowing a run when Yan Gomes threw Brandon Phillips out stealing as Votto struck out.

 "Gomes helped him out with that throw," Indians manager Terry Francona said.

"I felt comfortable," Bauer said. "I got to work with some guys in scoring position that I would prefer not to. I got it all today. I just concentrate on getting the guy out. I don't think of competing for a job."

Former Reds' ace Aaron Harang followed Bauer. The 35-year old is also competing for the starting rotation after pitching for Seattle and the New York Mets last season.

"When you get out in game situations, you've got to get it done," Harang said. "I've been doing this long enough. I don't think about competing. I'm just out there building myself up for the season and leave the rest up to the manager and coaches."

Alfredo Simon pitched two scoreless innings for Cincinnati. He pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for Cincinnati the last two years, but is being considered as a starting in case. Mat Latos isn't ready to start the season. Latos had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on February 14.

 "I worked on my two-seamer and it was pretty good," said Simon. "It felt good to be a starter.  It has been a long time."

 Simon started 16 games for Baltimore in 2011.

Notes

Johnny Cueto failed to make three consecutive starts last season but showed up in camp in good shape.

"Johnny is not Broxton or Latos, who are coming off surgery, but there will be a collective sigh of relief when he leaves camp healthy," Price said.  "He hasn't had any issues in throwing and fieldcing drills. It was a new injury that lingered last year," Price said.

 Latos and Jonathan Broxton continue to progress. Both had elbow surgery, though Latos' was minor.  Latos also had a torn left meniscus repaired but he has already thrown one bullpen. "My best guess is that I will throw another one next weekend," Latos said.

Indians infielder David Cooper is 100 percent recovered from a unique surgical procedure performed by Dr. Curtis Dickman of the Barrow Neuroligical Institute in Phoenix. Cooper was suffered an injury from sliding into first base head first as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays on August 22, 2012. The dive which caused an injury that seamed minor at the time but led to a spinal chord injury that threatened his career. Cooper started for the Indians Wednesday. He was 0-for-1 with a walk in his first action since the injury.

Reds reliever Trevor Bell is the grandson of Bill Bell, who was Bozo the Clown on radio in the 1950's. Bell, trying to win a spot in the Reds' bullpen pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Donald Lutz, who is also known as Heir Lutz, hit a line drive that split the outfielders and made it to the wall.  The 6'3" 250 lb. giant of a man, turned up the burners and slid into thirdbase with a triple.  Lutz was with the Reds when Heisey was injured last season.  The Reds sent him to the Mexican League which is famous for breaking ball pitchers, to work on his weakness.

The Reds and Indians share Goodyear Ballpark. They will meet again Thursday and Friday with Cincinnati designated as the home team on Thursday. The Indians send Justin Masterson against Johnny Cueto Thursday. Homer Bailey, who signed a six-year $105 million contract extension last week, pitches for the Reds against Josh Tomlin on Friday.