It was another sloppy loss for the Reds as the Los Angeles Angels took advantage of subpar fielding to win, 7-5.
The was multi-national excitement as Sal Romano faced Shohei Ohtani, the 23-year old two way player from Japan. Ohtani was featured on "60 Minutes" as a right-handed pitcher who can throw fastballs 100 mph and a powerful lefthand batter who hit 22 home runs for the Nippon Hamfighters in 2016.
Ohtani was the DH batting in front of Albert Pujols. In his first at bat he hit a slicing line fly into the left centerfield gap between Billy Hamilton and Ben Revere. Hamilton and Revere closed the gap with Hamilton making a diving catch.
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The Reds, though committed three errors while Romano pitched a base runner filled, 3 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs but just two were earned. They added a fourth later in the game. There was also a little concern when Romano tripped during his delivery and put a pitch high on the backstop. He remained in the game.
"Everything is fine. I just tripped where my toe was on the mound and my calf tightened up at the same time but there's nothing to worry about," Romano said.
The errors are symptomatic of what manager Bryan Price has been talking about for three days, sloppy play.
"Romano had good stuff, his velocity, command and breaking ball were very good today," Price said. "We weren't real sharp behind him, we created problems that led to a couple of those runs. He was quick to the plate to control the running game. He did some good things."
One of the errors that led to three unearned runs, occurred when he dropped a feed from Joey Votto on a ground ball by Eric Young Jr. leading off the fourth. Rymer Liriano doubled to score Young.
"There was some good, some bad the rest of the outing," Romano said. "I thought I made some quality pitches in the third inning. There was some tough luck. A couple bloop hits, a broken bat hit, stuff like that are going to happen. Some things I need to execute like the PFP (pitcher's fielding practice) to start the fourth inning. Stuff like that puts you in the stretch right away."
Romano had a good view of Hamilton's theft of Ohtani's extra-base bid.
"That was Billy being Billy," Romano said. "There wasn't much to say about that it was Billy doing what he always does. I don't think they have many Billy's in Japan. I'm sure Ohtani wanted it to fall but we've got Billy Hamilton out there."
Hamilton could care less who hit it. He was going after it anyway.
"I want to take a hit away from anybody. I don't care who it was," Hamilton said. "It was one of those plays I feel like I've got to make and I should make. It just happened to be against him one of those guys, who's going to be a star in this game. I want to take as away as I possibly can. They don't want to give me hits. I don't want anybody else to get hits. It was pretty good. I think Ohtani is going to be great. He has a really good swing. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him."
The Angels lead 6-0 when the Reds offense led by Jesse Winker came alive. Winker doubled off Adam Hofacket leading off the eighth. Mason Williams singled to send Winker to third. Alex Blandino singled to score Winker. Sebastian Elizalde singled to load the bases. Darnell Sweeney and Shed Long struck out but Rosell Herrara tripled over the centerfielder's head. Joe Hudson greeted Jake Jewell with a run scoring double. Aristedes Aquino singled to short as Hudson took third. Winker grounded out to end the inning.
Cody Reed pitched two scoreless innings but gave up four hits and a walk.
"Cody was alright," Price said. "I think there is room for him to continue to improve. I think the command and the pitch quality are going to get better. The lefthanders squaring up balls early in the count, he has to get the slider over. That will come later in the camp."
Vance Worley gave up a run in his only inning to make the score 7-5 heading to the ninth. Blandino walked. Elizalde bid for a game tying home run was just foul. He struck out after it. Long grounded out to end the game.
Price wouldn't comment on a Japanese reporters question about Ohtani.
"I really wanted to see him pitch," Price said. "I don't know if he can be a Major League hitter. I've only seen three at bats and a little video. He's an interesting guy to follow. Everybody wanted him but I really would like to see him pitch."
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