Reds Lose Two Games And Two Catchers

 

 

Dateline: 318 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

On March 14 Graham Ashcraft had a rough first inning against the Chicago White Sox. He walked Mike Tauchman to start the game. Former Red Brandon Drury drilled a two-run home run. The Reds were behind after two batters. 

Ashcraft gave up two more hits but Sal Stewart started a 5-4-3 double play. Reiver Sanmarting allowed a hit to score a run and charge Ashcraft with all three.

The Reds’ right hander, who is battling for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, reentered the game per spring training rules.

Ashcraft finished with 2 ⅔ innings, allowing three runs on three hits with four walks and two strikeouts. 

“I felt like I didn’t have my legs under me today,” Ashcraft said. “My stuff was a little sporadic. The cutter was staying down below the zone. The second and third inning, I felt like I was able to get it in there but the first inning there were a lot of foul balls and deep counts. My arm felt good but I wasn’t filling the zone up or doing what I needed to be doing.”

Ashcraft threw 62 pitches.

“It is huge to get the pitch count up, just getting the body used to throwing pitches in games. It was beneficial for that but all of us want to go deeper in games,” Ashcraft said.

Drury hit his second home run of the day off Sam Moll with two on. His five RBI led to a 7-3 decision for the White Sox.

From the very beginning, we didn’t command very well,” Francona said. “I know it’s cold and not very conducive. It was just kind of a sloppy day. We didn’t hit much. There were too many deep counts, too many walks. Hopefully we’ll get it out of our system.”

The Reds announced that Tyler Stephenson was going to be out with a low grade internal oblique strain on his left side. Backup catcher left the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Scottsdale after being hit on the hand on a foul ball while catching. 

Francona found out about Trevino.

“We sent him for precautionary x-rays,” Francona said. “They did say by the time he left the ballpark, he was feeling better. The swelling had already gone. We’ll have to hold our breath for a little bit.”

The Reds used the running game to score two runs. Gavin Lux was hit by a pitch. Jacob Hurtubise walked. Stewart singled Lux home as Hurtubise sprinted to third. Stewart and Hurtubise pulled a double steal with Hurtubise stealing home. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Reds’ other squad, 2-1.

Chase Petty pitched three innings, allowing one run on one hit but he walked four and struck out just two.

Minor league shortstop Sammy Stafura hit a home run as that squad had just three hits.