Better Call Sal - Romano Impressive In Reds Loss To Royals

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Sal Romano improved his chances for the starting rotation with and impressive second outing in the Reds' 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

Romano gave up a run in his 2 2/3 innings but he was betrayed by his fielders losing fly balls in the high skies. Tyler Collins should have been out on a foul pop up that shortstop Nick Senzel couldn't find in the high sky with no clouds.  He walked and scored a run in the second inning.

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"Sal threw the ball well. He had good action on his fastball and did some really good things," Bryan Price said.  "He got to work on controlling the running game.  He was really quick to the plate.  There is nothing wrong with Sal coming out hot and maintaining it through the spring."

The fact remained that Romano had good stuff and deserved a better pitching line than 2 2/3 innings with four hits, a walk and a run.  On the plus side, he struck out four.

"I thought it was the best my sinker has been on both sides of the plate," Romano said.  "I threw some really good curve balls.  My change up was a little inconsistent but other than that, I got in on some righties and made some really good pitches."

Shed Long singled to short and scored from third on a sacrifice fny by Jesse Winker

The entire four-man outfield participated in the Reds second run.

Scott Schebler and Adam Duvall, the DH, singled in the fifth inning.  Schebler went to third when Senzel flied out.  Phillip Ervin singled to score Schebler, who was the starter in centerfield.

Oliver Perez made his first appearance for the Reds.  Showing some rust, he walked two, hit a batter and allowed a single, that allowed the Royals to tie the game.  Perez was spared another run when Ervin threw out Jorge Soler at second base on a fly to right by Tyler Collins.  The play beat Alcides Escobar to home plate.

Cody Reed pitched a scoreless inning but Chase Vallot opened the ninth with a double.  Jack Lopez, the son of former Reds' coach, Porky Lopez bunted Vallot to third.  Humberto Arteaga singled past Reed to give the Royals the game.