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.