Hunter Greene started off the Cactus League against the Cleveland Guardians. His first pitch was belted off the right center field wall by Brayan Rocchio for a double. Lane Thomas hit a two-run home run.
Hunter pitched a scoreless second inning.
He finished with two innings, allowing four hits, two runs, a walk and three strikeouts.
“It feels great again,” Greene said. “It’s always a blessing to grace a mound in a big league game. I was working on getting ahead and attacking the zone. The hard hit balls were, I was being aggressive. The guys were swinging and trying to get ahead. I’ll have to take a look to see if I was out over the plate or missing my spots. I was happy with my secondaries (non fastball pitches). I threw a lot of strikes today so I can work with this day for sure.”
Throwing strikes were emphasized in his meeting with manager Terry Francona. “He told me to throw strikes and be a leader,” Greene said.
Acting manager, Freddie Benavides, confirmed that Greene was throwing strikes as planned.
“He looked good,” Benavides said. “He was throwing strikes. They kind of jumped on that first pitch. He gave up the two-run homer to Thomas. Overall, he threw strikes and I liked his first outing.”
Elly De La Cruz homered in both of his at bats, one right handed, one left handed. He hit a 450 foot home run to right center off Cleveland starter, Triston McKenzie, a right hander in the first inning. He hit another home run off left hander, Logan Allen in the fourth inning.
“Elly hit a breaking ball out of the ballpark and hit home runs from both sides of the plate. It’s always impressive for him. It was a good start to the spring,” Benevides said. “He understands now what he’s trying to do. The first couple years he was just trying to survive. Things got fast for him now it is a little slower.”
De La Cruz had an awkward swing on the first pitch he saw from McKenzie, flailing at a pitch down and in.
“He got fooled, it was a ball in the dirt I think but he made the adjustment and then he hit the next one out,” Benavides said. “It’s great for him to make that adjustment.”
Connor Phillips, who is trying to erase a tough 2024, pitched two scoreless innings, walking two and striking out one. Walks marred his season last year.
“He was behind some of the guys but he threw two shutout innings. It’s big for him, especially with the year he had it was good to get him out there for two shutout innings,” Benavides said.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand is coming off hand surgery that cost him most of 2024. He played first base today and will play third base on Sunday at San Francisco.
“He got a lot of work today,” Benavides said. “It was good that he is healthy.”
Encarnacion-Strand had four chances, including an unassisted double play in his five innings. He singled in his second at bat, going 1-for-2.
Highlights from the game against the Brewers from the box score.
Graham Ashcraft pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Chase Petty pitched two innings with a walk and a strikeout.
Gavin Lux was 2-for-3 with three RBI, including a double.
TJ Friedl had a hit, RBI and a run scored. He is coming back from an injury riddled 2024.
Santiago Espinal homered in three at bats. He is in stiff competition for a roster spot with a load of infielders.
The Reds didn’t use the ABS in the game with the Guardians but Cleveland a strike called against Carlos Santana was changed to a ball but Johnathan Rodriguez challenge of a called strike was upheld.
The Reds beat Cleveland 6-3 but minor league pitcher Alan Busenitz gave up three ninth inning runs as Milwaukee won 8-1.
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