Reds Revise Lineup But Not Results

Bryan Price shook up the lineup on Saturday but the offense allowed another well pitched game to be wasted in a 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay.

Joey Votto hit in the second spot in the batting order for the first time since, 2008.

The revised lineup made no revision on the team's ability to score runs.

The first seven Reds were set down in order by young Alex Cobb of the Rays.

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Zack Cozart, who had a lonely one hit coming into the game, doubled over the thirdbase bag and down the line in left.  Reds' starter Alfredo Simon, who has one hit in three at bats this season, battled Cobb by fouling off four pitches before grounding out to secondbaseman, Ben Zobrist, advancing Cozart to third.  Billy Hamilton flied to left to end the mild threat.

Votto hit a ground-rule double on a fly that David DeJesus had trouble tracking.  The ball bounded off the warning track and into the stands.  As if to illustrate, the Reds' two-hole hitter, has none of the speed the leadoff hitter, Billy Hamilton has, Votto was thrown out at home on a single to center by Brandon Phillips, who took second on Kevin Kiermaier's perfect peg.  Phillips was caught by former teammate Ryan Hanigan trying to steal third.  Jay Bruce struck out.

Thirdbase coach Steve Smith is taking his decision hard.

"We are a good offensive team that is struggling," Bryan Price said.  "When you struggle, you try to do things to compensate.  Smitty is beating himself up right now.  He is aggressive by nature. I've known him a long time. I'm happy to have him on my staff.  We don't want to do things out of the ordinary but we want to stay aggressive."

Kiermairer was called up temporarily because the designated hitter is not used in National League parks.  Manager Joe Maddon wanted an extra position player.

"The way we had the shift, I knew if a ball was hit up the middle, I would have to be on it to have a play.  Defense is my bread and butter," said the Indiana native, who grew up a Cubs fan.

The play and the Phillips caught stealing gave Cobb a second wind.

"I try to leave emotions out of it," Cobb said. "It was huge.  When the defense picks you up like that you can't help but get excited. Ryan (Hanigan) made it even better.  A couple of times I was going to shake him off but thought to myself, 'What am I doing?' If anybody knows how to pitch these guys it's Ryan."

Meanwhile Alfredo Simon was mowing down the Rays' hitters, save James Loney, who hit a home run halfway up the rightfield pavillion to lead off the second innings.  Simon retired 12 straight fro the second inning into the sixth, when Zobrist singled. Simon was aided by fine plays from Votto and Phillips during the stretch.

Simon pitched eight innings, allowing just five hits and a walk.

"He is seizing the opportunity," Price said.  "He sees himself as a starter and he has kept us in both games.  That is big with Latos out."

"He (Simon) was amazing," catcher Brayan Pena said.

Votto walked against closer Grant Balfour but Phillips grounded into a game-ending 5-4-3 double play on a 3-2 pitch.

The Reds held a meeting after the game.

"It was just a reminder," Price said. "We're pressing. We're trying to create success. We're all pressing trying to do too much. It will turn around."

"We're not happy," Pena said. "We trust each other. It was a very positive meeting. We're not scoring. It's no secret.  The scoreboard is out there. We need to relax a little more and execute."