Reds Errors Lack Of Control Makes A Gloomy Day For Sonny Gray

Sonny Gray had little trouble throwing strikes in the Arizona in the warm air.  On a 35 degree day in his Reds' debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Gray had all kinds of trouble throwing them, leading to a 5-0 loss to the Pirates.

/Gray walked four and dropped a feed from Joey Votto for an error, leading to three Pirates runs.

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"From my vantage point it looked like Sonny was just missing," said David Bell after his first career loss as manager.  "He has to work a little bit harder than you'd like to see him have to work.   He wasn't missing by much but I think that extra work because he was just missing caught up to him.  He is going to bounce back.  He batted and competed.  He is going to have better days."

Starling Marte reached on the error in the first inning.  Marte stole second and scored on a single by Josh Bell.  Melky Cabrera beat the shift with a single in the second inning.  Erik Gonzalez slow roller to Jose Iglesias put Cabrera in scoring position.  Pitcher Trevor Williams singled past Votto to score Cabrera for the second run.  Gray lost control in the third.  Francisco Cervelli singled with one out. Gray walked Jung Ho Kang, Gonzalez and Williams to force in a run.

"I didn't throw strikes from the get go.  I just didn't throw enough strikes," Gray said.  "It was an opportunity and I didn't throw strikes.  When you have the guys on the field for 20-25 minutes you're not going to get much offense either.  This spring I threw 10 innings and didn't walk a batter.  Today I walked four and hit a batter in 2 2/3.  I was just missing and didn't make adjustments.  It wasn't what I expected of myself."

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Williams at the same time was hand cuffing the Reds' batters.  Tucker Barnhart dumped a single to right in the third. Yasiel Puig walked in the fourth.  Iglesias got an infield single in the sixth.  It wasn't until Votto single with two outs in the sixth that the Reds got a runner past first base.  Williams struck out Puig with runners on first and third to end the sixth.

After the All-Star break last season, Williams was one of the best pitchers statistically in baseball for the second half.  He had a 1.38 ERA to close the season.

Michael Lorenzen, Wandy Peralta and Robert Stephenson pitched four scoreless innings to keep the Reds in the game.

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"They all pitched great and kept us in the game," Gray said.

The Pirates added a run against Stephenson in the eighth.  Adam Frazier's bunt singled drew a bad throw from Eugenio Suarez.  Marte followed with a run scoring double.  Stephenson's attempted pick off throw was closer to Schebler in center than the second base bag.  That brought Marte to third.  A groundout to second base, brought in the Pirates' fifth run of the game.  The Reds accumulated four errors for the game.
"You don't want to make four errors," Bell said.  "I got blocked out I couldn't see how the ball popped out of Sonny's glove.  Scheb was trying to make an aggressive play,  Suarez on the bunt.  Robert was trying to keep the runner close.  The ball just slipped out of his hand."

Joe Musgrove picked up Williams in the seventh and pitched two hitless innings.  Lefty closer Felipe Vazquez allowed a one out double to Votto, that just missed leaving the park.  With two out he walked Suarez.  Pirates' manager Clint Hurdle brought in Keone Kela to get the final out.  Matt Kemp struck out looking.










Sonny Gray

Reds Conclude Camp With A Loss To Colorado But Ready For The Season

Sonny Gray, couldn't open the Cactus League but he finished it.

Gray, fully recovered from elbow tightness that got him scratched from the first game in the Cactus League, pitched five innings, allowing one run on four hits.  The run scored on a ball iTn the dirt that Tucker Barnhart dropped but it squirted far enough a way that Bret Boswell scored from third base.

The Rockies scored three runs off Raisell Iglesias but the Reds' minor leaguers battled to make it close in the 4-3 loss, leaving the Reds with a 8-17-5 record.

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"It was a good day for him," Bell said.  "You had your doubts that he would be where he is right now.  Now it is like it never even happened."

Gray was strong after rest early allowed him to pitch pain free.

"Pitching with traffic and making pitches was good," Gray said.  "Tucker is great. He's really great.  He was mad at himself about the one that got away.  That was almost an impossible ball to block."

Barnhart blocked four balls in the dirt to prevent the Rockies from scoring before one eluded him.  It is one of Gray's best out pitches to throw a breaking ball in the dirt.  He gets a lot of strike outs with it.

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"I feel good. I feel strong. I'm excited to get out of Arizona and get this thing going,"  Gray said.

David Bell's last roster decision will be a tough call. The Reds left Goodyear for Atlanta with one spot to decide in the bullpen.

There are 26 players going to Atlanta for two final tuneups against the Braves. Three pitchers are poised to win the two remaining spots in the bullpen.  Wandy Peralta has options but is left-handed.  He pitched 10 scoreless innings this spring, allowing six hits and a walk.  Matt Wisler and Robert Stephenson are out of options.  They would be exposed to waivers if they fail to make the Opening Day roster.

Wisler pitched a scoreless inning against the Rockies on Sunday.  He left the camp in Goodyear with 11 innings, allowing five runs.  Wisler made 10 appearances, eight of them scoreless.

“Everybody that is in camp now has a chance,” Bell said after the game.  “We have to make a decision in the next couple days.  At this point everybody has done everything they can.'

The Reds will have two left-handed pitchers in the bullpen, Zach Duke and  Amir Garrett.  Peralta would be the third.

“You want to have the best pitcher,” Bell said.  “But there is an advantage to having a lefty. I don't know that you can have too many.  Wandy's had a great spring. We know what he can do.  He's in a good spot.  The other guys are out of options that is why  It is going to be a tough call.  That's why we couldn't quite set the roster before we leave.”

Following the game with the Indians on Saturday the sent right pitchers Anthony Bass and Matt Bowman to the minor leagues.  Bass was a non-roster player.  Bowman was on the 40-man roster.

“It was a really tough call,” David Bell said.  “I was really impressed with Anthony.  He is a major league pitcher. I'm glad he's in our organization.”

Bass pitched in the Major Leagues with Houston, San Diego, Texas and last season with the Chicago Cubs, where he pitched 16 games.

“With Matt it was a matter of proving that he is healthy,” said Bell, who was the St. Louis Cardinals bench coach for three seasons while Bowman was there.  Bowman gave up a two-run home run to Kevin Plawicki in the game against the Indians Saturday.  “Actually, that was the best he's looked.  I had to assure him the home run wasn't the reason.”.

“We believe in both of those guys.  We knew they could help us,” Bell said.

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Bell has put Jesse Winker into the final Cactus League game in center field.  The Reds sent Nick Senzel to Louisville to get experience.  Michael Lorenzen can play there but is doing double duty out of the bullpen.  His availability is limited.  Kemp has played some center field but is 34 years old and not as quick as he once was.

“We really only have Scheb (Scott Schebler) to play center.  He is going to get the majority of the playing time,” Bell said.  “We really needed a back up plan. Talking to two guys, who have seen Jesse play, we know he can do it.  Delino (DeShields) put him in center at Louisville. We have to have a plan.”

Yasiel Puig played 162 games total over six seasons in Los Angeles, including 95 in 2016.

“Puig is potentially an option. He's comfortable in right field.  For now we want him to stay in one spot,” Bell said.

Winker had one putout in the game against Colorado.

“It is a position that I can play,' Winker said.  “It excites me that the coaches think that it is a position I can play.  I was just playing baseball.  I've done it before for Delino down in Triple A.  Honestly, it was a lot of fun.  The play today was one you have to make if you want to play center field.  It was a matter of tracking it, then going to get it.”

Jose Iglesias was brought to camp to fill a bench role but ended up in the starting lineup with Scooter Gennett out for 8 – 12  weeks.

“I had a pretty good spring overall,” Iglesias said.  “I'm excited.  Every player wants to be on the field and contribute.  It is bad news for the team that Scooter got injured.  He is a big part of us. Scooter is a great guy to have around. I am excited to pick him up and pick up the organization.”

Iglesias hit .341 and hit two home runs against the Indians on Saturday.

“You think of him as a defensive player but he puts the ball in play. He's a line drive hitter,” Bell said.  “We knew he had some pop in his bat but he hit one of those out to right field.  That was good to see.”

It was the end of camp in Arizona and the completion of Bell's first as a big league manager.

“I've been here since 2012.  This spring training has gotten me better prepared for a season that I've ever been,” Winker said.  “I think we are going to the top of the division.  We have a damn good team.  We're going to hit.  We're going to pitch and we're going to defend.  Those are the three things you need to do.”

“We're ready.  I really felt that today,” Bell said.  “I think the energy of knowing that we'll have a change of scenery.  You just sense that guys are ready to go.  They got their work in.  The got the right amount of playing time and at bats and innings pitched.  We set out to build relationships, get to know people and ultimately get guys ready for the season. So many people worked hard to make that happen. The players worked hard. I feel really good about it.”

Reds Lose All Star Scooter Gennett

Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett will miss 8-12 weeks with a strained right groin.

Gennett injured his groin making a play on a ground ball hit by Yasmani Grandal against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.

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“He is in a lot of pain,” said David Bell, who was with Gennett when the medical staff read his MRI . “He wants to play so bad. That makes it tough but he's already thinking positive. He is determined to get back on the field as soon as possible.”

With two games to go before breaking camp in Goodyear and five days before the opener on March 28 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Reds had to scrabble to compensate for the loss.

“The good thing is, we brought in some guys who made the team. They are really going to help us weather this,” President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams said. “(Jose) Iglesias has been an everyday shortstop in the big leagues. (Derek) Dietrich has been an everyday second baseman. (Jose) Peraza has started at second for us in the past. There are a lot of scouts who think second is Peraza's best position. They may have to revisit that with the way he's been playing shortstop.”

The revised plan for the infield is to move Peraza back to second base and install Iglesias as the starting shortstop.

“Peraza earned the starting shortstop job,” Williams said. “But he's played second for us, so he is the one moving to second.”

That is how it will look the majority of the time.

“Peraza will continue to play some shortstop,” Bell said. “He was making improvements every day at shortstop. He wanted to do what's best for the team. We still see him as a shortstop. There were concerns about moving him back to second because he worked so hard at shortstop. But the willingness of him to move, made it an easy conversation.”

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Aside from the defense, Gennett has had the two best offensive seasons of his career. Bell talked recently. “Scooter could hit anywhere in the lineup, one through six,” Bell said Friday morning.

The Reds will probably place Gennett on the 60-day disabled list or injury list which will open a needed spot on the 40-man roster for Iglesias, who signed a minor league contract on February 23 and invited to camp as a non-roster player.

Kyle Farmer, who was optioned to the minor league camp on Friday, returned 24 hours later to the Major League clubhouse.

“We talked to Farmer about the flexibility he gives us off the bench,” Williams said. “I anticipate that he will be the guy to take that bench spot.”

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Farmer would join backup catcher Curt Casali, the fourth outfielder and Dietrich on the bench.

“We haven't played him there this spring but Farmer could probably play outfield for us too,” Bell said. Farmer has played all four infield position and caught in games this spring.

Another possibility was moving top prospect Nick Senzel back to second base. Senzel was learning a new position after he played second base in Louisville until he fractured his right index finger.

“He is going to continue on the great trajectory that he's on,” Williams said. “This injury just affects our infield.”

Senzel is moving on from the disappointing news that he will start the season at Louisville.

“It was disappointing news,” Senzel said. “I took the challenge (playing center field) head on. I learned center field. What gets lost in this is I had a chance to win the job and didn't win the job. That's how I take it.”

It has happened to Senzel before. He did not make his team at Farragut High Scholl in Knoxville but was allowed to work out with the team, eventually making the squad. He will need that same determination now.

“Scotty (Schebler) did what he needed to do to win the job,” Senzel said. “He had a great spring. As a competitor you know there is an opportunity in front of you. It is a win or lose type of scenario. There are not really hard feelings, just disappointment. I put a lot of work and effort into learning the position.'

Senzel learned a lot in center but he has more to learn.

“I felt like I played it pretty good this spring. There was only a certain amount of games that I could get in this spring,” Senzel said. “The past few years, I felt like I've learned so many different positions. I've done what they've asked. I've been there and worked hard. I'm just trying to crack the lineup. Wherever they need me to be, I'll be. I feel I can play third base. I feel I can play second base, center field. I could play short in a pinch.”

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The Indians Become Untied With Sun On Their Side Reds Power Not Enough

Tykler Mahle will be the Reds fifth starter when the season opens.  He will pitch the game against Milwaukee on April 2.

In his final tune up Mahle pitched 4 1/3 innings.  The Indians scored three runs but it was the high sky that beat him today, not the Indians hitters.  The Indians came away 8-5 winners to take the Goodyear Ohio Cup with a 1-0-3 record.

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The Reds jumped on Trevor Bauer the Cleveland starter.  Jesse Winker hit an opposite field home run to kick off the scoring.  One batter later the Reds' newly anointed shortstop Jose Iglesias homered, his second of the spring.

Mahle gave one back in the bottom of the inning on singles by Leonys Martin, Jake Bauers and Carlos Santana.  Mahle retired the next five batters but center fielder Scott Schebler lost Bauers fly to center in the sun.  Bauer reached third for a triple with two outs. Santana singled in the third run.

Elusive fly balls led to three more Indians runs in the fifth inning against Michael Lorenzen. This time Plawecki's fly got over the head of Schebler for a two-run triple.  Greg Allen dumped a short pop up down the left field line between Christian Colon.and Winker.

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Iglesias homered again in the sixth off Bauer.  The Reds closed to within a run on a single by Lorenzen and Winker's second homer of the game and fourth of the spring, off Bauer.  That pulled the Reds within a run.

With Matt Bowman pitching, Derek Dietrich's error put Bo Naylor on base.  Plawicki hit a two-out, two run homer off Bowman, who allowed his only runs of the spring both unearned.

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"It was a good day for Iglesias and Winker too," David Bell said.  "Wink has been getting close.  It was good to see him get some results.'

Winker with a 2-for-3 day increased his batting average to .159.  Bell put him in center field for the last two innings.

"You look at our team and outside of Scheb. No one can play there.  Wink has played their before.  Scheb will get majority of the playing time. We need someone else to play it," Bell said.

Scooter Gennett Injured In Reds Loss

Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett was helped off the field in the second inning of the game with the Milwaukee Brewers, a 6-4 Reds' loss.

Gennett dived for a ball hit between him and first baseman Joey Votto.  He knocked the ball down and completed the putout with a short toss to pitcher Robert Stephenson.  Reds' trainers were called to attend to him.

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The Reds took him to get an MRI.

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“I don't know exactly whether it happened when he fell or when he threw.  I didn't ask him,” David Bell said.  “I'm obviously concerned.  He's a big part of our team.  We're hoping for the best right now.”

Stephenson was an eye witness to the injury.

"It was tough to see," Stephenson said.  "It looked like he kind of rolled weird."

Gennett, who signed a one-year contact with the Reds in January to avoid arbitration, has been openly seeking a contract extension.

The Reds sent infielders Blake Trahan and Kyle Farmer to minor league camp.  They are going to keep non-roster infielders Derek Dietrich and Jose Iglesias, though they haven't formerly added them to the 40-man roster.

The Reds scored four runs in the first two innings but couldn't hold on.

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Joey Votto walked and Matt Kemp and Eugenio Suarez hit consecutive singles to load the bases.  Yasiel Puig hit a sacrifice fly to center field.  Jose Peraza delivered two runs with a single.

The Reds added a run against Zach Davies in the next inning.  Jose Siri singled and scored on an error by right fielder Eric Thames.

Robert Stephenson, who is out of options and trying to earn a place in the bullpen, pitched two innings.  It was his second Cactus League appearance after being shelved with shoulder soreness at the beginning of camp.  He turned in a two-inning scoreless outing.

"Robert was really good," Bell said.  "It was back-to-back outings for a fresh set of eyes that hasn't seen him a whole lot, he looked pretty good.  I thought he was better his second inning.  It was really good to see."

"I don't think my off speed was as sharp as it was the other day," Stephenson said.  "I thought my fastball was really good.  I'm happy about that."

Stephenson had a sore shoulder at the end of last season.  It was the same pain he had in camp, feeling it again just before he arrived in Goodyear.

"With the injury, I wanted to take it slow and give myself the best chance to make this team," Stephenson said.  "I'm happy about the progression I've made compared to previous springs.  I wanted to make it as tough as a decision as possible for the team.  I feel like I did that."

Michael Lorenzen gave up a run on two hits.  Tyler Saladino and Lucas Erceg singled to put runners on first and third.  He got Davies to hit into a double play.  Zach Duke allowed a run in 2/3 inning.  Duke put two runners on, walking Jesus Aguilar and giving a single up to Yasmani Grandol.  Orlando Arcia forced Aguilar at third.  David Hernandez relieved Duke and gave up  a run-scoring single.

Amir Garrett pitched a scoreless frame.  Minor league Wyatt Strahan and Alex Powers gave up four runs in the sixth and seventh.

The Reds also sent top prospect Nick Senzel to minor league camp.  Senzel is learning to play center field in a crowded outfield that features Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Jesse Winker and Scott Schebler.

RHP Sal Ramono, RHP Lucas Sims, LHP Ian Krol, LHP Cody Reed, OF Phillip Ervin and catcher Juan Graterol were also reassigned.  The Reds are down to 30 players in camp with two days left.

The Reds first round pick from the last draft, Jonathan India made his first appearance as a designated hitter.  He was 0-for-4 and struck out twice.

Reds Pitching Encouraging In Spite Of Loss To Minor Mariners

The Reds played their second game of the day against the remnants of the Seattle Mariners. Shoddy fielding let the Reds down in a 6-3 loss.

Most of the Mariners have already opened the season in Tokyo, Japan against the Oakland Athletics.  The rest of the Mariner, who will probably start the season at Triple A stayed in Peoria to play the Reds split squad.

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Matt Bowman, who spent the last three seasons in St. Louis with David Bell as the bench coach, pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two.  It was his fourth appearance since returning March 10 from a strained right lat.   Bowman has pitched five innings without allowing a run on one hit and one walk.

"Bowman was good for two innings," Bell said.  "He's had success.  In this division, we know what he can do.  The big thing with Matt is staying healthy.  Which he know he can do.  He's just had some setbacks over the last two years.  When he's healthy, he can pitch.  He's shown he can do it at the Major League level.  He was a guy we counted on in big situations in St. Louis."

The Reds jumped to a lead when Scott Schebler doubled and scored on a double by Kyle Farmer.

Matt Wisler replaced Bowman and gave up three runs in 1 2/3 innings. It broke a string of seven straight appearances without allowing a run.  The Mariners got the benefit of some outfield miscues.  Schebler bobbled a ball he charged with the idea of throwing out Jake Fraley at the plate on a single by Jarred Kelenic.  Fraley scored and Kelenic took third.  It became academic when Chris Mariscal homered.

"Wisler's had such a good spring.  Maybe he wasn't as sharp as he's been," Bell said. "He allowed a few runs, he's allowed that."

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The Reds got two back to tie the score when Blake Trahan walked and Courtney Hawkins hit his third home run in four games.  Hawkins will play in the minor leagues.  He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the first round (12th overall) in the 2012 draft.

Ian Krol, who is trying to stick in the Reds bullpen as a non-roster player, was the victim of a misplayed line drive that got past Phil Ervin for a double in right that allowed Joe Odom score from first on Donovan Walton's sinking liner.  Evan White singled to score Walton.

David Hernandez gave up a run on another outfield fumble and a ball that got past Trahan.

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"David Hernandez looked probably as good as he had all spring," Bell said. "He had a good fastball tonight which was a good sign."

Jesse Winker, who has found hits scarce this spring was 0-for-3 with a walk.  Derek Dietrich tripled over the head of center fielder Kyle Lewis.  Jose Iglesias was 0-for-3.  Farmer was 1-for-3.

Those three players are competing for bench roles.  The Reds cleared a roster spot for a non-roster player like Dietrich and Iglesias when they traded Rule V pick, Connor Joe, to the Giants for minor league right-hander Jordan Johnson.

Anthony Bass pitched a scoreless inning. He is a right-hander competing for a bullpen roster spot as a non-roster player.

Sal Romano pitched a scoreless eighth.

"Sal Romano had a good night.  There were a lot of good things on the pitching side," Bell said.

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Anthony DeSclafani Makes It Through Camp Healthy

For the first time since 2015, Anthony DeSclafani made it through spring training without injury.

"I'm just glad I made through camp.  That's awesome," DeSclafani said.  "I'm happy with the progress I made pitching wise but obviously, health wise, it;s been frustrating the past few years.  I'm excited to get back to Cincinnati and see an Opening Day."

DeSclafani went deepest into the game against Kansas City than any of the Reds pitchers have done this season.  He pitched 5 2/3 innings.  The 28-year old allowed three hits and a walk through four innings, including a home run by Chris Owings

Desclafani left the game when it was a 5-5 tie but the minor leaguers let the game get away in the last two innings in a 14-6 loss.

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The fifth was problematic. DeSclafani gave up four run on three hits but could have been out of the inning without a run. Nick Senzel misplayed Meigrys Viloria's fly to center for a double.  One out later, Billy Hamilton doubled to score Viloria.  Eugenion Suarez made a nice charging play on a ground ball for the second out.

"I liked today.  Up until that fifth inning, I still felt good. I got a little predictable," DeSclafani said. "I'm not going to let one inning deter me from this outing.  I got a lot of work with the curveball. I'm trying to mix it up.  Overall it was a good day."

"As far as fastball location and throwing the slider, it was good work.  I got a little weary in the last inning," DeSclafani said.  "I was able to throw the curveball a lot.  It is going to be a good pitch for me.  I have to keep throwing it to get a feel for it."

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Bell thought the outing was good too.

"I told when he came out of the game that it was a good game for him," Bell said.  "He was solid four four innings.  He gave up some runs but overall it was a good day."

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The Reds had a good offensive day while the regulars were in the game.

Scooter Gennett had two hits.  Joey Votto walked twice. Eugenio Suarez had two hits  Yasiel Puig was 1-for-3.  Senzel had a double.  Jose Peraza had two hits and drove in three runs.  Tucker Barnhart walked twice.

"We really hit the ball hard," Bell said.  'We're going deeper in games and they all had good at bats."

Delino DeSheilds And Delino DeShields Have A Surprise Family Moment A Father's Day Preview

It was a Father's Day preview at Surprise Stadium when the Reds visited the Texas Rangers.

Delino DeShields elder is the first base coach for the Reds.  His son Delino (has a different middle name) is the center fielder for the Texas Rangers.

The two met at home plate to exchange lineup cards and hugs. It was set up by the Texas staff.

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"We talked about it yesterday," the elder DeShields said.  "He called me and said his manager had mentioned it. It feels pretty good. I'm proud of him.  Hopefully, we can do this a few more times."

The younger DeShields was content with a handshake in front of the crowd.  The elder pulled off a hug.

"It is natural for me. I'm a hugger," DeShields said.  "It felt good.  We talked about it when he was a young kid.  I'm looking forward to June."

The Rangers play a weekend series June 14,15 and 16 at Great American Ball Park.  Father's Day weekend.

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"Thar will be real special.  Hopefully, we'll both be playing well," DeShields said. "It will be a good series for us."

Reds' manager David Bell can relate.  His father and grandfather both played for the Reds.  His father Buddy is a former manager, who now works in player development with the Reds.

"That's got to be really cool.  It is just hard to imagine what that feels like.  I should know.  I've been on the other side," Bell said.  "That was fun to see."

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Tanner Roark Grinds Out His Last Spring Start Jose Iglesias Provides Offense

Tanner /Roark is not the /Reds Opening Day starter but he pitched like an ace as the Reds saddled the Texas Rangers with a 6-1 loss.

Roark pitched into the sixth inning, allowing one run on five hits and a walk.  Three of the hits he allowed were doubles ot open an inning. Just one of them scored.

Roark has pitched in six games allowing five runs in 19 2/3 innings, good enough for any starter.  He is scheduled to start against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Joe Musgrove on Sunday March 31.

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DeLino DeSheilds, the son of the Reds' first base coach, doubled to open the third inning.  He scored on a single by Roughed Odor to give Texas a brief 1-0 lead. It was the first of three doubles that opened an inning.  The other two were stranded.

"It was a grinder game," Roark said. "I wasn't as sharp as I'd like to be.  The two leadoff doubles and second and third.  When push came to shove, I made my pitches.  The way the pitching coach, DJ the way he approaches pitching has given me a little insight. He gave me things to work on. We test them out and they've been pretty good."

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Roark struck out Nomar Mazara to start the sixth but walked Asdrubal Cabrera.  David Bell lifted Roark and brought in Anthony Bass, still with a chance to make the /Reds' bullpen as a non -roster player.  Bass got Ronald Guzman to hit into a double play.

The 32-year old who came in a trade from Washington will have just a side session left in camp.

"I feel like I'm ready for the season. I feel like we're ready.  I came in here optimistic and excited.  I got to know everybody.  It's been fun," Roark said.

Bell has seen this before out of Roark.


"He looked like he has every time out," Bell said.  "He was strong right there until the end.  It wasn't fatigue.  We pulled him because he got to his pitch count.  He is a very intense competitor the way he competes but he's also has a calmness about him that helps him.  He knows who he is. He continues to make pitches."

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Jose Iglesias, a late free agent signing, was in the middle of three Reds runs. Iglesias doubled and scored in the fourth, singled to score Scott Schebler, who doubled. He drove in Taylor Trammel, who walked and stole two bases in the fifth inning.

The Reds tacked on three more runs against Tyler Phillips.  Connor Joe doubled with two outs He scored from second on an infield hit by Trahan and a throwing error.  Minor leaguer  Sherman Johnson hit a home run.

Luis Castillo Announced As Opening Day Starter Reds White Sox

The Reds rookie manager David Bell surprised a lot of people by naming Luis Castillo as the Reds' Opening Day starter, minutes before the Reds played the Chicago White Sox. The Reds brought in Alex Wood, Sonny Gray and Tanner Roark to bring experience to the Reds rotation.

Bell and his staff of coaches have shown they are not afraid to buck traditional thinking.  Castillo becomes evidence of that.  Of the five projected starters in the Reds rotation and the other holdover on the staff, Anthony DeSclafani, Castillo is the least experienced.

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"It was fun to tell him," Bell said.  "He is really excited.  He's honored and he should be."

Bell called the other three pitchers into his office before the game to explain the decision.

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"We trust all four guys," Bell said. "We had a good conversation. They are all great team players and they get it."

The numbers don't back the decision but spring training numbers seldom indicate success during the regular season.  Castillo made three starts in Cactus League games, plus a simulated game or two on the back fields. He allowed 12 runs in 7 2/3 innings but threw the ball better than the numbers indicate.  In his last outing he pitched four innings against Cleveland and allowed three runs.  Some of the hits were off weak contact that found a hole.  His last two innings were dominate.

"He's had a lot of success leading up to now," Bell said.  "We like the progress he's made through spring training.  We think he's in a good place to start Opening Day."

Castillo will face the Pittsburgh Pirates and their starter Jameson Taillon.

Lucas Sims got the call against the White Sox.

Sims had trouble throwing strikes in the first inning, walking two, including one that forced in a run.  Jose Abreu homered off him in his second inning.

Matt Winsler, who is out of options and needs to make the team, pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball.  He's totaled 9 1/3 innings and allowed two runs both in his first outing on February 24.  He has seven scoreless appearances since.

Zach Duke pitched an inning and gave up a double to Leury Garcia and Abreu's second home run.

Yasiel Puig hit a bases loaded single to get the Reds' back in the game.  Nick Senzel hit his second double of the game one out into the seventh and scored on a single by Matt Kemp.

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"Senzel had a good night at the plate," David Bell said.  "He made a play early in the game he went to left center.  He went a long way for it and made it look easy. It didn't look like a great play but it was maybe one of his better plays of the spring.  It was a good step for him."

Matt Bowman and Sal Romano kept the White Sox off the board in their inning.  Robert Stephenson, recovered from a sore shoulder that held him back, made his first Cactus League appearance.  Stephenson retired all three White Sox he faced.

Derek Dietrich hit a double for his second hit. Jose Peraza singled to tie the game in the eighth.

The Reds had five ties coming into the game.  The White Sox had two.  The teams decided to start the ninth with a runner on second.  It is the rule that they are using in the All-Star games starting in the 10th inning.

The White Sox began the ninth with Alfredo Gonzalez on second base with Cody Reed pitching. Reed got Preston Tucker to fly to center with Gonzalez advancing to third.  Joey Votto couldn't come up with Zach Remillard's smash to first and Gozalez scored.  Ryan Goins grounded out with Remillard going to third.  Jake Elmore grounded out to Votto unassisted. Reed retired all three batters he faced.

In the bottom of the inning the Reds put Brandt Stallings on second base to start the inning against Dylan Covey.  Senzel grounded up the middle Goins fielded and got Stallings going to third.  Votto singled putting Senzel in scoring position.  Reshard Munroe got behind 0-2 but worked a the count full as Senzel and pinch runner Leandro Santana pulled a double steal.  Munroe walked to load the bases.  Stuart Fairchild was hit by a pitch to tie the game.  With Sherman Johnson pitching, Covey threw a wild pitch and the Reds avoided a sixth tie, winning 6-5.

The rule has been proposed and used prior to this by San Francisco this spring.

"I really like the rule," said Bell who has tried a lot of unorthodox things this spring. "Being in the minor leagues  last year I saw a lot of games.  You reward the fans for staying this long.  I thought it created some interesting situations.  It was very good for player development because you have to think and strategize."

Bell went to umpire Alan Porter and asked if he could use the new rule.

'I had heard about it three or four days ago it could be an option if both managers agreed," Bell said. "We already had so many ties.  Let's see if we could have a better chance to win it.  I went out before the ninth Alan Porter said we could.  The White Sox sent their man out to start the ninth."

Reds Ride Wild Horse To A Third Tie - Yasiel Puig Homers Twice Drops Fly Ball

Yasiel Puig hit a grand slam and a two-run home run as the Reds extended a tie streak against fellow Goodyear residents, Cleveland Indians to three with a 9-9 deadlock

The teams opened the Cactus League with a 3-3 tie.  They each scored five runs on March 11..  The Reds have tied five games.

Puig erased a three-run Indians lead with a grand slam off two-time Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber.  An inning later he victimized Indians closer Brad Hand.

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Reds; starter Luis Castillo worked four innings, allowing three runs on four hit.  Carlos Santana led off the second with a single.  Castillo walked Kevin Plawecki.  Jordan Luplow's double scored both runners.  Luplow scored on a single by Max Moroff.  Castillo finished with two scoreless innings.

"I am going to keep working like I have all spring," Castillo said through interpreter Julio Morillo.  "They made good contact on two good pitches that I made.  That is going to happen.  That's part of the game. Spring is more for executing pitches than getting results.  The goal is to prepare yourself for the season."

Castillo was pitching in his fourth spring game.  He's allowed 12 runs in 8 2/3 innings.

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"Castillo made pitches when he had to," David Bell said.  "This is the best outing he's had this spring, overall."

The Reds were rained out on Tuesday, Castillo's last scheduled start.

The Reds started to get to Kluber in the fourth inning.  Votto walked.  Matt Kemp singled.  Suarez hit a drive over the head of center fielder Leonys Martin.  Votto had to make sure it wasn't caught so he stopped at third, setting up Puig's grand slam.

Against Brad Hand, the Indians closer, Suarez singled.  Puig hit his fourth home run of the spring.  One out later, Jose Peraza hit his second homer.

As good a day as Puig had at the plate   He had problems on defense.  Santana hit a fly ball in the third inning between Nick Senzel, who is learing the position. and Puig.  Neither outfielder caught the ball and it fell for a double.

"We had a lack of communication in right and center.  We'll figure that out," Bell said.  "I think they both called for it.  It is one of those things where guys are getting used to playing together.  Not that we want that to happen but it will help us get to the bottom of it.  I'll make sure we address it."

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Nick Senzel made a nice diving catch.

"He glides out there," Bell said.  "It was a ball he even took a step back on and he had to come in and get it.  It's good to have that kind of speed."

Puig flat out dropped a fly ball in shallow right Jordan Luplow reached on the error as Puig put his hands on his hip a Votto chased the ball down.  Wyatt Stahan was the Reds' hurler victimized.  Greg Allen tripled to the right field corner as Luplow scored.  Allen crossed the plate on a ground out by Moroff.

The Indians trailed by four runs going into the top of the ninth.  Jesus Reyes allowed four runs.

The Reds tried using the luck of the Irish in this annual St. Patrick's Day showdown. Brian O'Grady flied out deep to center and Connor Joe flied out to the warning track in right field.

Anthony DeSclafani Dominates Texas Phi Ervin Continues To Hit

Phil Ervin has made his case.  He lined his fifth home run of the spring off Jesse Chavez with two men on in the Reds 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers.

Ervin left the game leading the Reds in home runs while hitting .344 for the spring.  Tucker Barnhart followed with an opposite field home run.

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Scott Schbeler was hit by a pitch from Texas starter Shelby Miller.  Singles by Barnhart and Blake Trahan brought him home with the first run.

Anthony DeSclafani turned in another good start.  He pitched five innings, allowing two hits, including a home run by Logan Forsythe.  He didn't walk a batter and struck out seven

"He looked really good," David Bell said.  "He's had a good day for him.  He finished strong.  With he and Tanner pitching like that the last two days is encouraging.  They are throwing pitches where they want them."

DeSclafani was so efficient in the game that he went to the bullpen to throw 15 more pitches.

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"I was throwing a lot of strikes," DeSclafani said.  "I was happy to get through five innings.  I was throwing some good sliders and then a comeback two seamers.  It is a good pitch for me."

"I need to continue to throw the curveball," said DeSclafani about what he needs to accomplish before the season starts.  I don't really get a lot of swings and misses on it.  I threw a couple for strikes and they were taking some.  I think it was effective in a sense that it was slowing it down and getting the hitters something else to see.  It may have played a roll in getting some weak contact. There is still a purpose for it but I want to get more strikeouts with it and throwing it for strikes more consistently."

The Rangers scored off Raisel Iglesias.  With two outs, Danny Santana hit a line drive to right center. Michael Lorenzen tried to make a diving catch but it got by him for a triple.  Hunter Pence hit an RBI double.

"It is why he's out there.  It is only fair that he gets to work out some of the kinks," said Bell of the aggressive play.  With a 5-1 lead the better play would have been to play it safe and keep the runner at first.  Lorenzen's aggressive personality took over, trying to impress during his transition.  "It wasn't a bad play.  Maybe a little over aggressive but that's ok.  You'd rather see a guy be aggressive, I mean, thinking through the situation and being smart but once you get through that, learning to trust it and being aggressive is important to being a good player in this league."

Lorenzen singled in his only at bat and spent most of the inning diving back to first.

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"He was on the ground a lot today," Bell said.

Jared Hughes, Wandy Peralta and Matt Wisler threw scoreless inning.  The Reds have to make a big decision with Wisler.  He is out of options and must make the team or risk being lost to waivers.

He gave up two ground ball infield hits that fielders were able to keep in the infield.  With two on and no outs, Wisler got a strike out and a double play grounder.  This spring, Wisler has appeared in seven games, six scoreless.  He allowed two runs in his first outing but has thrown seven straight scoreless innings.

"He's having a good spring," Bell said.  "He was good again today.  He had the base runners but kept pitching and really did a good job."

Dodgers Drown Reds With 8 Run 8th

Tanner Roark pitched five innings of scoreless, one hit baseball against the Los Angeles Dodgers who rallied with eight runs in the eighth inning off Anthony Bass and Brandon Finnegan.  The result was an 8-1 Dodger win.

Last time out Roark breezed through three innings, then got hit in a three-run fourth.

On Friday, Roark put that aside and faced the minimum of 15 batters.  Brad Miller led off the second inning with a single but the Reds' double play combination of Jose Peraza, Kyle Farmer and Joey Votto erased Miller.  That's right Kyle Farmer, the catcher, third base man, shortstop, beer vendor made the pivot flawlessly.

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"That's why we go through spring training," said Roark of pitching past the wall that bit him last outing.  "I'm doing the same thing, throwing strikes, getting ahead and making the hitters uncomfortable.  I'm working on the back door slider.  I know my four seam will come into the lefties but I am gaining confidence in throwing the slider back door. (A pitch that appears off the outside part of the plate but breaks enough to catch the corner).  When (catcher Curt) Casali calls it I know we're on the same page.  That gives me more confidence in it."

"He was locked in.  He threw the ball where he wanted too," David Bell said.  "He's had a great spring."

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The Reds scored when Yasiel Puig, who got a big ovation from the mostly Dodger fans at Goodyear Ballpark, doubled.  He was halfway between second and third going for a triple when it became clear the throw from center field would beat him.  He safely retreated to second base.  Jose Peraza's single drove him in.

Cody Reed walked two batters but turned in a scoreless inning.

"He wasn't as good as his last time, but he made pitches to get out of it," Bell said.

Bass struck out two in a scoreless seventh but didn't survive the eighth.  Ezequiel Carrera bunted for a hit when third baseman, Mitch Nay fumbled the ball.  With the Reds playing four outfielders, Bass struck out Edwin Rios.  Cody Asche and Cristian Santana walked to score one run,  Alex Verdugo singled to score two runs. Bell brought Brandon Finnegan into the game.  Jeter Down, who went to LA in the Kemp, Puig, Wood, Farmer deal singled to score a run. Josh Thole walked to load the bases.  Errol Robinson walked to force in a run.  Finnegan struck out pitcher Ryan Mosley.  Paulo Orlando hit a long grand slam home run.

"That was a bad inning all the way around.  Finney will have to bounce back," Bell said.

One Way To Break A Losing Habit----Tie

The Reds have lost 90 or more games in each of the last four seasons.  This spring, they stopped losing as they played the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-3 tie, the fourth time this spring the Reds and their opponents had equal run totals.

Sonny Gray pitched three perfect innings, shaking off an early camp ailment to put himself in line to make the Opening Day start.

He is inline but manager David Bell is not quite ready to anoint Gray as the starter even though if you count the days until March 28 when the Reds are scheduled to meet the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park.

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"Gray looked really good.  He felt good coming out of the game," Bell said. "I'm not ready to say that (he will start opening day).  Only because we haven't really determined that.  There is going to be other factors that come into play.  I know we're getting close. Soon we need to make that decision."

Gray took his perfect game into the bullpen to throw 18 more pitches to build his arm strength.

"I felt good.  I attacked the zone, threw strikes and tried to force contact," Gray said.  "That's all I'm trying to do.  I'll be good to go whenever my name is called for the start of the season. My whole focus the last two weeks is to get healthy, get on the mound and get into games."

The Reds scored two runs in the first off Hyun-Jin Ryu.  Scott Schebler, Yasiel Puig and Scooter Gennett singled.  Jesse Winker hit a ball deep into the hole at short where, Jeter Downs, who was in the trade with the Dodgers over the winter turned it into a force at third, allowing Schebler to score.

Former Dodger Jose Peraza singled to score Puig.

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Puig asked to play this game and the game tomorrow night when the Dodgers play in a sold out game at Goodyear Ball Park.

"I'm with my new team coming to face my old team.  Every body knew there would be a lot of fans here," Puig said.  "I like the way they cheered my name when I came out on the field and the time I hit for the first time.  I'm so happy to hear that.  I want to say thank you."

Puig circled April 15 when the Reds play in Los Angeles on his calendar.

"I want to play today and tomorrow, not only in front of the Los Angeles fans but to get ready for the season with my new team," Puig said.

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Michael Lorenzen allowed two runs in the first of two innings he pitched. He pitched a second inning then went to center field where he finished the game.  He struck out and walked in two at bats.

"Lorenzen was better that second inning.  He has been pitching well all spring," Bell said.  "I know he struck out but he had two good at bats.  We plan to get him 10 more innings in center and at least 10 at bats."

Phil Ervin hit his fourth spring home run.  This one was off Scott Alexander.  Ervin fighting to survive the glut of outfielders in camp, is hitting .345 this spring.

Zach Duke, allowed the tying run in the sixth,  In five appearances, Duke has allowed two runs in five innings.

Wandy Peralta saved the tie.  The first two Dodgers, reached base.  Zach Reks walked and Downs got his second hit a single.  Connor Wong hit a smash to third.  Kyle Farmer dived to field the ball, stepped on third and fired to Connor Joe at first, who scooped the ball out of the dirt.  Peralta struck out Carlos Rincon swinging to end the game.

Reds Tyler Mahle Turns Cubs Cold Kyle Farmer Connor Joe Deliver Runs

On a night that could have been Wrigley Field in May the Reds had a hot pitcher and hot hitters that turned the Chicago Cubs freezing cold.  The air temperature was an un Arizona like 56 degrees when the Reds took on the Cubs and froze them with a 12-3 win.

Tyler Mahle threw strike after strike with his usual fastball command and two new wrinkle filled breaking balls.

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In the first inning, Mahle struck out two with the second being Middletown's Kyle Schwarber.  Mahle threw two curve balls for strikes, then froze him with an inside fastball on the corner.  The next inning he fell behind former UC star Ian Happ, 3-1 but came back to strike him out.

"I'm happy with the 3-1 count to Happ to punch him out," Mahle said.  "My focus is to throw strikes with my fastball.  Both of my off speed pitches work off my fastball."

This was Mahle's third Cactus League outing.  He has also been throwing live batting practice between starts.  His three scoreless innings against the Cubs with two hits, no walks and four strikeouts enhance his chances of coming to Cincinnati to start the season, especially when Alex Wood is not scheduled to throw again while treating a sore back.  In his three games this spring, Mahle has accumulated six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and two walks.  He's struck out 10.

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"It felt good with all their fans and stuff," said Mahle despite the chill in the air.  "Their lineup was stacked with most of their starters.  So that was cool too. It was a good atmosphere."

"He's gotten better each time," David Bell said.  "He really set the tone for pitching the rest of the game."

The Reds put an extreme shift on Kris Bryant in the first inning.  They had four outfielders and two infielders on the left side of the diamond.  Bryant singled up the middle.

"They told me they were going to do it ahead of time," Mahle said.  "He still hit a base hit, right up the middle on a bad fastball.  I don't mind the shifts but it does look crazy when you look out there."

Bell has used an extreme shift a couple of times this spring.

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"Traditionally, where he hit that ball it would have been a hit anyway," Bell said.  "I'd be curious if he tried to change his swing a little bit. Sometimes that's part of it too.  As we get into the season, we'll have more information to go on. It is deeper than just one at bat."

Cody Reed, Matt Wisler and Anthony Bass had quick scoreless innings.

Sal Romano gave up a run on two hits in his inning.

"Cody Reed looked good, Wisler was good too.  Romano threw the ball well.  He just missed on a couple of pitches.  I thought he had a really good fastball, a good breaking ball."

The Reds offense jumped on Tyler Chatwood early in the second inning although the Chatwood's defense was lacking too.

Kyle Farmer walked.  Phil Erving lined a single to left.  He hit the ball hard in all four at bats.  Connor Joe walked to load the bases.  Blake Trahan hit a one-hopper back to the mound.  Chatwood babied the throw and it sailed over the catcher's head as two runs scored.  Christian Colon hit a two-run single.

Farmer made a nice play from his third base position, charging a ball hit by Javier Baez.  Farmer hit his second home run of the spring off Mike Montgomery.  He is hitting .407 this spring playing all over the field, including catcher."

Farmer has played well at all the positions we've had him at this spring," Bell said.  "He's swinging the bat good.

Connor Joe had two hits, including a three-run home run.  Minor league outfielder Courtney Hawkins hit his second home run of the spring.