The Reds play the Kansas City Royals in today’s Spring Training matchup in Goodyear, AZ. For what it’s worth (and it’s worth nothing), the Royals are still undefeated in Cactus League games this spring.
Homer the Lion Killer returns to figuratively slaying humans in his second start of 2013. In his first start, he threw 15 pitches in a scoreless inning against the Padres.
Here is today’s lineup:
Billy Hamilton is leading off, playing CF. So far this spring he’s hitting .154, with seven strikeouts in 15 PA. He does have two walks, raising his OBP to .267. His manager wants to see him swinging the bat more. “He has no chance to do anything when he strikes out,” Dusty Baker said, according to Mark Sheldon. “Probably half of those have been looking. Anytime he puts it in play, there’s a chance of something happening.”
Don’t worry (yet) about the continued absence of Shin-Soo Choo (quadricep) or Ryan Hanigan (oblique). Mark Sheldon reports that neither is seen as serious. Baker says he’s most concerned about Choo learning his teammates.
“He (Choo) has to get used to who he’s playing beside more than anything. He has to get used to Ludwick and Bruce and Ludwick and Heisey. He has to get used to our second baseman going out as far as he does, Brandon Phillips. He has to get used to how far Cozart goes so you don’t have any collisions. These are things where you have to get to know each other.”
Devin Mesoraco, who has two home runs this week, catches Bailey, per usual.
Baker is risking total protonic reversal, with three left-handers batting in a row in the middle of the line-up.
Hamilton 8
Cozart 6
Votto 3
Paul 7
Bruce 9
Frazier 5
Donald 4
Mesoraco 2
Robinson DH
Bailey 1