Hunter Greene Starts For The First Time Against The Milwaukee Brewers

 Also  Follow Reds on https://athlonsports.com/

Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

It is six games into the Catcus Leagues schedule.

Hunter Greene is making his first start against the defending Central Division Champions, the Milwaukee Brewers at the Maryvale Ball Park.

Brady Singer will start for the first time on Sunday against the Athletics in Mesa.

Manager Terry Francona explained that the veterans in the Reds' rotation are starting later in Cactus League play.

"With the veteran guys a lot of times, you know them better," Francona said. "The communication in the pitcher's group is what's in the best interest. Do they want another side? Do they want to face hitters? It is a little different for everybody. Some guys want to work on a pitch on the back fields, some would rather pitch in a game."

The Brewers hit Greene hard in the first inning. Sal Frelick led the game off with a triple off the center field batter's eye. He scored on a wild pitch. Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, Brice Turang and Andrew Vaughan single in succession for two runs. Greene left and Julian Garcia got two quick outs before Blake Perkins singled home another run. David Hamilton singled but right fielder Blake Dunn threw Vaughn out at the plate.

Matt McLain hit a long home run off Coleman Crow in the first inning.

"He's not the biggest guy in stature, that home run to right center, the ball comes off his bat pretty good. If he can be that player, it is going to be exciting," Francona said.

Greene re entered the game to start the second inning.

He walked Frelick then got three ground balls to complete a scoreless inning.

"The good news, it is spring training. Nobody is going to remember. The ball came out (of his hand) really good," Francona said. "He wasn't using all his pitches by design. We get him a blow and he goes back out. It ends up being ok."

The Reds scored four runs against Jared Koenig. McLain singled. Elly De La Cruz doubled. Spencer Steer walked and Blake Dunn sent them all home with a double down the left field line. Dane Myers singled to score Dunn.

Dunn not only drove in three he saved one in right field. Blake Perkins double into the right field corner with a runner on first and two outs. Dunn got to it in a hurry, dug it out and sent a perfect relay to the McLain to stop the runner at third base.

"That was a good a throw as you could make," Francona said. "It is through the cut off man, one hop, accurate. I love seeing stuff like that. He's a very good defender no matter where we put him."

Newcomers Pierce Johnson and Caleb Ferguson turned in a scoreless innings. Lyon Richardson gave up a run on three hits. Hagen Danner pitched a scoreless inning. Darren McCaughan gave up a long home run to minor leaguer Andrew Fischer. Davis Daniel pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Reds' first round draft choice from last June, Steele Hall replaced De La Cruz. It was his first action as a pro. He struck out in his first at bat. 

"That was exciting," Francona said. "We wanted to get him in to play a little bit. Man, I'm telling you. Just think this time last year that kid is in high school. That's pretty impressive."

The Reds scored three runs with the effective use of the ABS challenge. Sal Stewart successfully challenged a strike call on a 2-1 pitch, changing the count to 3-1 instead of 2-2. He singled. Dunn was hit by a pitch. Myers was called out on strikes but he challenged it and won. With the new life, Myers hit a two-run double. Myers scored on a double by Will Banfield. 

Anthony Misiewicz gave up a lead off double to Luis Lara, who scored on two ground outs.

Michael Chavis hit a home run off Sammy Peralta.