Observations from Cincinnati Reds 8-5 Win Over Angels

Another week of spring action kicked off on Monday and the Cincinnati Reds got back in the win column by topping the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 8-5, behind the power of three home runs.

Here are some observations and notes from the game:

Battle for left field continues to be heated

If the first week of spring training is any indication, the left-field competition may come down to the wire, or even end in a draw (i.e., a platoon). Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler both started on Monday and continued their hot hitting, with the former going 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run and two runs batted in and the latter picking up a single and a double in four at-bats, while also swiping his second base of the spring. Plenty could change between now and April, but with Yorman Rodriguez struggling in the early going, it’s shaping up to be a two-horse race between Duvall and Schebler to grab the starting job.

Votto, Bruce already appear in top form

With much of the focus from Reds camp going to the various position battles across the roster, little attention has been paid to the starts that regulars such as Joey Votto and Jay Bruce have gotten off to. Both had a bunt single (yes, you read that correctly) and added another hit off of Angels pitching, with the first baseman smacking his first home run of the spring and the right fielder driving home the first Cincinnati run of the game. Votto has only been retired five times in 13 plate appearances this spring, while Bruce is off to a 6-for-11 start at the plate.

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Reed continues to impress (and break bats)

After getting roughed up a bit in his first Reds appearance, left-hander Cody Reed was on top of his game on Monday. He fired three shutout innings against the Angels, allowing only two hits while striking out one. But the most impressive part of his day was that he broke three bats, showing that the Angels hitters were having a difficult time squaring up his pitches. Though Reed probably won’t make the Opening Day starting rotation, he’s showing signs that he could be ready for the majors at some point in 2016.

Notes:

• After starting the spring in an 0-for-9 funk, Jose Peraza picked up his first hit in a Reds uniform with a fourth-inning single. He immediately showed off his tremendous speed by stealing second and third before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Votto. He would add a two-bagger later on in the contest.
• In addition to Duvall and Votto, non-roster invite Jordan Pacheco also played long ball in this one, taking Angels starter Matt Shoemaker deep in the third inning.
• J.J. Hoover and Dayan Diaz fired a scoreless inning each in relief, while Layne Somsen one-upped them both by throwing two shutout frames.
• The Reds played an unofficial, five-inning “B” game earlier in the day, falling 1-0 to the Cleveland Indians. Robert Stephenson made his second start of the spring and was again impressive, striking out a pair in two innings while allowing only a hit. Alex Blandino picked up the only Cincinnati hit of the game.