Ah yes, a meaningless Spring Training game, but what joy it was to listen to. An exciting finish came with a double and an out at home plate to save the game.
What was good:
Kirk Saarloos - Saarloos pitched 2 perfect innings.
Paul Wilson - Wilson gave up 1 earned run (2 total) on 4 hits in 2 innings. He also struck out 2.
The Longball - Dunn, Phillips, Bellhorn (ugh), Keppinger (meh), and Hamilton hit them out. The wind was apparently 20-25 mph, as the Brennamen told us that a couple of times an inning. Marty said the outfielder just stood and watched as Dunn's homer hit the roof of a house behind the stadium.
Josh Hamilton - I am very happy to say this. Josh was 2-4 with a 2 run homer. I know it's only Spring Training, but he's off to a fine start. Keep it up, Josh.
Ryan Freel - Freel was 2-2 with a walk, a run, and a stolen base, though he was also caught stealing once. Guy really needs to cut down on those. A little acknowledged fact is that Freel led the league in 2006 in being caught stealing.
Listening to Baseball - 'nuff said.
What was bad:
Mark Bellhorn - He started the game. I don't care if he hit a homer, he has no business on a Major League roster.
Eric Milton - Gave up a homer to his first batter. Hope that's not an omen. He gave up another homer in his next inning for a total of 2 earned runs on six hits and a walk.
Rheal Cormier - When your job is to pitch one inning, shouldn't you NOT give up a run on 2 hits?
The Defense - Five errors were committed by the Reds (Freel, Denorfia, Machado, Coffey, and Votto). Groan. It brings back bad memories of last year. It may only be a Spring Training game, and the first one at that, still...
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Bailey is starting the A game on Sunday. Can't wait for that!
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