Dateline: 318 kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico
Austin Hays was the hitting star for the Reds in a 8-1 win over the World Champion, Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hays hit a two-run home run off Tanner Scott in the fourth inning and a two-run home run off Blake Treinen in the fifth frame. Hays doubled home Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson in the first inning. David Bote cut off the throw to the plate and threw Hays out at third base.
There was confusion about whether Stephenson had crossed the plate before the out at third. The scoreboard gave the Reds just one run but Stephenson had clearly crossed the plate before the out. The Reds’ staff was able to reach the umpires, who confirmed Stephenson crossed the plate way before the out.
For the meaningless Cactus League record. Hays’ three extra-base hits tied Joey Votto in 2022 and Chris Dominguez in 2015. He tied Yasiel Puig with six RBI in a game in 2019.
“That was impressive. For most of us that’s two-thirds of a year. It won’t mean much a month from now but it was impressive. It was fun to watch,” Francona said.
“He has a great approach at the plate,” Terry Francona shot back. “I don’t know when it's going to be but this kid is going to be a great major league hitter. I don’t know when but mark my words.”
Elly De La Cruz made it 4-for-4 for the spring with a single in the first inning. He was 0-for-2 after that.
On the mound, the Reds’ newest starter from the Jonathan India trade, pitched two scoreless innings.
In the first inning he had three punch outs and all strikes. In the second inning they made him work. Which is ok too. He was gassed after the first inning. That’s not a bad thing that’s good (for stretching him out),” Francona said.
Singer was pleased with his first outing.
“There were a few kinks for sure,” Singer said. “To go out there and compete was really fun. I used a lot of my pitches. I was happy with the result of a few of them. Even the new ones.”
Singer has been working on a changeup.
“I have a different grip on that. I was able to keep it down and throw a lot of strikes,” Singer said.
Carson Spiers allowed one run in two innings. He is competing for a job. He is out of options.
“He was good,” Francona said. “They made him work in his first inning that’s good too and in the second he got three quick outs. DJ (pitching coach Derek Johnson) gets somebody up, then he gets three quick outs. You would like to see them get everybody out but realistically, these guys aren’t stretched out yet.”
Matt McLain got to play on the same field as his brother Sean, who started at shortstop for the Dodgers. Matt was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Sean was 1-for-3 with a run scored. They live together this spring as they did in the Arizona Fall League.
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