Chris Heisey Leads Power Surge Against the Royals

Chris Heisey's spring has turned Bryan Price's head.

Chris Heisey hit his sixth spring-training homer and tripled, helping the Cincinnati Reds to beat a Kansas City Royals' split squad 9-3 Friday.

Heisey, a backup outfielder, also made a perfect throw from the center-field wall to second baseman Kristopher Negron, who threw out Alcides Escobar trying to stretch an extra-base hit into a triple in the fifth.

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"He's stayed with his approach. He's putting the barrel of the bat on the ball," Reds' manager Bryan Price said. "I'm very impressed with Chris and the way he's handling himself. He really trusts that he has an approach that will work. Chris is at the point where he can be an every day player. He is working very hard to get there."

Brett Marshall started in place of Homer Bailey, who threw a bullpen session and is expected to pitch in a minor league exhibition on Sunday. Marshall allowed two runs, two hits and three walks in four innings with four strikeouts.

Negron hit a two-run homer in the third. Neftali Soto had a three-run homer in the eighth against Donnie Joseph, Soto's third home run of the exhibition season. Roger Bernadina hit a long home run to centerfield off Shields.

Reds leftfielder Skip Schumaker left the game holding his left arm in the seventh after diving to try for Angel Franco's liner, which landed for a double.

"These guys are playing so hard," Price said. "It was a hustle play, trying to keep the ball from getting into the gap. He represents everything we want to do here. I hope he's not out a long period of time because he is really important to our team."

Brett Marshall started for the Reds in place of Homer Bailey, who has a tender groin. Marshall was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, two days before spring training started. With Mat Latos expected to miss the start of the season, Marshall, who was originally slated for Louisville, could stick with the Reds as a backup starter or long relief. This is Marshall's fifth appearance. He allowed one run in nine innings in his four previous spring appearances.

Marshall pitched four innings. He pitched three scoreless innings but walked three batters in a two-run fourth inning.

"I was cruising for three innings," Marshall said. "I kind of just took it for granted instead of pounding the zone."

With injuries all over the pitching staff the door is open for Marshall to make the team as a starter or reliever.

"I'm excited. My command is getting a little better," Marshall said. "It doesn't matter. Whatever helps the team whether it's as a closer or starter, is all right. I just want an opportunity."


TRAINER'S ROOM

Pitchers Mat Latos, Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall appear to be headed for the disabled list to start the season. The trio are currently on throwing programs but manager Bryan Price doubts that they will have enough work in to be ready for the start of the season... Aroldis Chapman had surgery above his left eye on Thursday, is expected to miss six to eight weeks after being hit by a batted ball in a game Wednesday...Johnny Cueto shoulder and Homer Bailey groin skipped a turn but are scheduled to make their next starts...Catcher Devin Mesoraco has been held out of games since Monday with a sore oblique...

GENERAL REPORTS

Reds' training camp was treated by a visit from former St. Louis manager Tony La Russa and former Army, Indiana and Texas A&M basketball coach Bobby Knight.

THROWBACK REDS

Former Reds' pitching stars, Jim Maloney and Jack Billingham watched batting practice. They are here for the Reds' owner's weekend. Billingham was the Reds' pitcher that gave up Hank Aaron's 714th home run on opening day 1974. Maloney pitched two no-hitters while with the Reds. Billingham recalled being in the Houston Astros dugout when Maloney and Houston pitcher Don Wilson pitched no-hitters on back-to-back nights, April 30 and May 1 1969.