Spring training games can be wild affairs and that was the case on Sunday in Goodyear, Arizona between the Cincinnati Reds and the Seattle Mariners. The Reds built up an 8-2 lead only to see if evaporate and the Mariners just clobber Cincinnati’s bullpen by scoring 12 runs after the 4th inning to pull out a come-from-behind win.
The Highlights
Seattle scored a run in the 1st inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Reds took the lead from them in the 2nd as they put together six straight 1-out hits that included RBI doubles from JJ Bleday and Matt McLain as part of a 5-run rally.
Two innings later the Reds would add to their lead as they got three singles from Bleday, Rece Hinds, and Matt McLain before Elly De La Cruz picked up an inning-capping 2-run double that made it 8-2. De La Cruz hit his double at 112.5 MPH – which was somehow only the third hardest hit ball of the game.
From there it was all Seattle. The Mariners would score three runs in the 5th, two runs in the 7th, a run in the 8th to tie the game up, and then they put up six runs in the 9th inning to bury the Reds.
You can see the box score for this game here.
News and Notes
The challenge system got used a lot today, reportedly using more energy than the proposed data center coming to your neighborhood soon. There were nine calls challenged during this game. Six calls were overturned as the umpire was having a tough day. It’s spring training for all of us.
Matt McLain (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Elly De La Cruz (2-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI, JJ Bleday (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), and Rece Hinds (2-2, 2 runs) all had multi-hit days.
Cincinnati’s non-starters had one hit on the day, going a combined 1-14. Michael Chavis had the lone hit from the group, picking up a line drive single in the 6th inning.
Relievers Nick Sando, Graham Ashcraft, and Tejay Antone all threw a shutout inning during the game.
Reds pitchers walked 10 batters. Reds hitters walked zero times. Connor Phillips walked three batters in 0.2 innings. Zach Maxwell walked four in 0.2 innings.
In a game that featured 22 runs scored there was only one home run hit and it didn’t come until the 9th inning.
Your daily reminder that right now all that matters is that everyone got through the game healthy. And it appears that they did.
Tomorrow is an off day for the Reds when it comes to playing games. They will be back on the field on Tuesday to take on the Kansas City Royals. Andrew Abbott will be making his first start of the spring in this game.
UGH-LEE!!!
Hmmm…I wonder if there will be more walks as a result of the pitch challenge.
Reds walked ZERO times.
You can start to sort out the opening day bullpen.
I know it’s only ST and it’s early but I’m OK with the Reds reducing their 40-man roster by releasing Phillips, Richardson and maybe Mey! TEN Walks is inexcusable! Unfortunately, this game looked all too familiar to some of the losses last season! How can you lose a game when you are ahead 8-2 after 4 innings?
Who’s counting but the Red’s pitching staff has given up 17 walks in their first 2 ST games!
Must do better says Yoda!
Thought Yoda said must better do, and no, keep Phillips – he at least shows both great stuff and an extended effective streak in MLB late last season, but yeah, back to the drawing board or video booth or wherever they send pitchers to review the ugliness.
Why would you release them? Thats foolish. You can send them all to the minor leagues to try and get better. Releasing them today doesn’t even save the team any money because guys do not get paid in spring training. You are just releasing them out of your own frustration. Take a deep breath or three, have a cold beverage, turn on a good album.
Foolish is the word that came to mind for me as well.
Dennis, the first six words in your comment are the ones to hold on to. We all dislike walks–when our pitchers are responsible for them–but this game is probably the first one these guys have pitched since last season and, as others have said in years past, pitchers are working on stuff rather than trying to pitch the way they will during the season.
hyperbole, much?
If it wasn’t for Phillips Reds man not of made playoffs last year. Normally I agree with you, however this is a huge, huge, overreaction Dennis.
I see you are new to the concept of spring training. Take a deep breath and sit back and enjoy the glorified practices as the players prepare for the upcoming season. And for all that is holy, don’t make drastic decisions based on it.
Phillips had a 2.88 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP with 10 inherited runners and he let 0 inherited runners score. I think I might hang onto that guy.
After just ONE ST game?
Crikey!
I love the energy! I too have felt the same way in games like these. For example, I remember being frustrated with Daniel Corcino laying an egg early in ST one year. I really want to send a message to some of the guys to get going. Part of me is with you here: Send a quick, strong message.
However, another part of my brain takes over and advocates for patience and long-term perspective. I say keep with these guys until there’s enough data to make an informed decision.
Only ST, but it would be nice if the Reds win once in a while. Not just throw batting practice.
When did Spring Training start so early? Maybe I’m just not remembering correctly, but games on February 22nd seems so early to me.
I liked the question, so I tried to look up what I could. I only had quick and easy access to the spring schedule back to 2006, but I put down the first and last game of the spring for the years since then.
It’s early, but it’s not a lot earlier than some of the years we’ve seen over the past 21.
Doug thanks for looking that up, that is interesting and a little surprising they have been playing lot of February games for awhile. I looked up Goodyear weather out of curiosity, 81 degrees today, 86 tomorrow, sounds nice out there right about now!
Expanded, the postseason has. Start a few days earlier, you must.
Back when the season started in April, which is when it should start, the spring training didn’t need to be this early. It’s the only way they can keep from having to play the W.S. on Thanksgiving Day.
World Baseball Classic created a need so pitchers could get work in beforehand to minimize injury. Suarez played back-to-back to get his swing ready while Arroyo started on game 1 and was a sub today. Both will be gone next week.
Good to see some key guys come out swinging and picking up hits. I know that it doesn’t mean anything but it feels better than the alternative would. When is the next game we can watch from home?
Antone pitched a clean inning, got a K and his arm didn’t fall off again.
I see that as a win.
Keep it going, TJ.
Antone moved into the last bullpen spot competition today with his success and Mey and Maxwells failure. No one won or lost a spot today, but TJ put himself back in the hunt.
@CenTexRed
100% My favorite pitcher for the Reds since he made the team. His stuff when right is elite and is so much fun to watch. If this TJ sticks and he gets back his magic stuff I for one would love to see him make the team.
Pitching was terrible today. Antone was an exception. The Reds may want to bring in one more relief pitcher from free agency.
Ashcraft was very good too.
Fortunately, it’s spring training, and almost all the runs given up were buy guys who won’t be on the Reds’ opening day roster.
Also, it’s super early in spring training when players are still using these opportunities to work on things and such.
If those pitchers are pitching that poorly in a month, then they clearly aren’t ready for a possible callup from the minors.
Doug, thanks for providing a link to the ST box score. Appreciate the convenience it provides.
Until we get to about ten days before Opening Day, spring training is what it’s all about.
Would love to see Hinds force his way onto the club over Myers.
I’m not going to fret over a February 22 game in which a bunch of relievers slotted for AAA (if that) gave up 9 runs, 8 hits and 6 BBs over 3 innings against minor league players.
Elly, Bleday, Hinds and others made good contact, so I consider it a good day.
Another reminder to some people over-reacting to this:
Spring Training, especially early on, is also a time for pitchers to “work on” pitches. They may have orders from coaches to throw a certain number of a certain type of pitches, and are not pitching how they would actually pitch in a game.
Check back in a few weeks. That’s when pitchers will start pitching more like how they actually would in a game situation.