Andrew Abbott And Carson Spiers Make Their Case For The Starting Rotation

 

 

Dateline: 318 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

March 17

Finally, Andrew Abbott pitches in a Cactus League game.

The Cleveland Guardians was his opponent. The Guardians took the 3-0 decision.

Abbott was touched for two runs in the first inning. Carlos Santana hit a two-run double after an infield hit.

He retired eight of his last nine batters. His line three innings pitched, two runs on three hits and a walk. Abbott struck out two.

“I didn’t expect to be crisp,” Abbott said. “I just really wanted to come out and pound the zone. I wanted to make sure I was strong and healthy and check those boxes. I will try to move on to the next one.”

Will he break camp on the opening day roster?

“Personally, I always want to think that, it puts me in the right mindset. We don’t know yet. I haven’t been informed of anything concrete yet. I feel that I can get there. Today was a great step. I was able to get three up downs and throw 50 pitches.”

“It didn’t help in the first inning when the ball skipped by CES (Christian Encarnacion-Strand). Then he gave up the double to Santana. Other than that he was good. You can see he pitches. He doesn’t have to throw 95. He can add and subtract (pitch velocity). He’s just gotta get some reps.”

Carson Spiers, who is still competing with Abbott and Graham Aschcraft for the fifth starter in the rotation. 

He pitched three scoreless innings before Austin Hedges got to him with a home run.

His final line, five innings with Hedges long ball, his only hit for the only run allowed. Spiers walked two and struck out two.

“He’s put together a good camp,” Francona said before the game. After the game Francona added, “He’s filling up the strike zone. He changes speeds. He’s handled himself really well. I don’t know him as well as the rest of these guys do. He comes from good stock. I played with his uncle Billy. You can’t find a better guy.”

Reds’ hitting? Missing in action. 

Encarnacion-Strand hit a double down the left field line and that was it. As of tonight, he is hitting .289.

Cleveland managed four hits and the game was under two hours.