Sonny Gray Makes First Cactus League Start For Reds Yasiel Puig Shows Hustle

San Diego scored six runs late to take a 6-2 victory but pitchers who will be a big part of the season had good nights, none better than the key Reds' pitching acquisition.

Sonny Gray pitched two innings in his first game experience for the Reds against the San Diego Padres.

"I was nervous.  I had butterflies," said Gray, who was shut down for four days with tightness in his elbow.  "I was excited more that nervous.  I love that feeling.  It is so awesome about pitching, especially about being a starter."

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Gray had a tuneup in front of live hitters on Tuesday and was pleased with his progress.

"I felt good. I made some good pitches.  I came away with no runs and no walks.  I'm very, very pleased with it.  I had like five or six swings and misses in the zone.  That's a good indicator on the effectiveness and sharpness of your pitches.  Where we were a week, a week and a half ago until now, I feel very good moving forward."

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"It was a big night for Sonny, He looked great," David Bell said.  "He wanted to keep going there was more in the tank."

Jose Iglesias, who is trying to earn the backup spot behind Jose Peraza, singled and scored on Kyle Farmer's second triple.  Farmer, who has moved around the diamond, caught Gray.  Matt Kemp had two hits, including a double. 

Yasiel Puig doubled leading off the fourth.  He advanced to third on a ground out.  Nick Senzel lined deep to left to earn an RBI on a sacrifice fly.

"Puig's base running was awesome to see.  He's playing hard.  It is going to be really important for us," Bell said.  "It was a really good effort.  He was running hard out of the box or he would have never had a chance."

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The Reds core pitchers were all sharp.

Matt Wisler faced six batters in two scoreless innings.  He allowed a single to Ian Kinsler but Farmer threw Kinsler out as Wisler struck out Eric Hosmer.   Amir Garrett and Cody Reed pitched perfect innings.

"Wisler, Garrett, Reed had a strong inning.  Probably the best of the spring," Bell said. "

Jesus Reyes,who appeared in five games for the Reds last year, pitched himself into a jam in the seventh inning.  Reyes gave up a single to recently signed high profile, free agent, Manny Machado.  Reyes walked ?Franmil Reyes.  Wil Myers hit a ground ball that Joe knocked down but couldn't make a play.  Reyes got Hunter Renfroe to pop out to Joe at third.  Francisco Mejia delivered a grand slam home run to put San Diego on top 4-2.

Ty France's two-run double off Buddy Boshers capped the scoring.  The runs were unearned.

San Diego pitchers struck out 16 Reds.  Scooter Gennett fanned three times.  Joey Votto, Tucker Barnhart and Senzel struck out twice.  Eugenio Suarez, Aristedes Aquino, Jose Siri and Farmer struck out once.