Observations from Reds’ 9-6 loss to Cubs

After the Cincinnati Reds won its first set of back-to-back games at the end of last week, Tuesday’s 9-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs kept a now four-game losing streak going. Billy Hamilton had another hitless effort and the defense committed two errors in an uninspiring effort with just 10 games left before opening day.

The Reds led after six innings, but one-run seventh and three-run eighth innings by the Cubs marked the end for Cincinnati as the bullpen ruined a strong first start for recently-signed Alfredo Simon.

Simon dazzles in debut

Cincinnati signed former Red, Alfredo Simon, to a major league deal last week and made his spring debut on Tuesday. With an significantly inexperienced starting rotation, Simon is expected to give the Reds a reliable, veteran arm at the backend of their rotation and Tuesday’s performance is what Cincinnati is hoping for. He spun three scoreless frames, allowing no hits, no walks and striking out four against what should be the Cubs opening day lineup — or some variation.

In just a three-inning stint, Simon does have some work to do to ensure he is ready for a full workload come opening day, but as the projected to be in the latter half of the rotation, he should not be needed until April 7 at the earliest. Regardless, Tuesday was a good sign for Simon and the Reds.

Suarez and Mesoraco stay strong

Eugenio Suarez and Devin Mesoraco each knocked in two RBI continuing their strong springs on Tuesday. Suarez now carries a .351 AVG after his 1-for-3 day with a double and two RBI. Mesoraco belted his second homerun of the spring, in a 1-for-3 day with two RBI. He is now hitting .500 with a gaudy 2.167 OPS.

With Suarez shifting to third base with a healthy Zack Cozart returning, it is good to see him carrying his strong offense from last season for one of last year’s worst offenses. Mesoraco, returning from hop surgery, is both hitting well and suiting up behind the plate as he prepares to be the primary backstop again for the Reds in 2016. If he returns to his 25-homerun self from 2014, the Reds could pleasantly surprise at the dish this season.

Cingrani suffers through first debacle

With eight scoreless innings coming into Tuesday’s game, Tony Cingrani was battered pretty good in relief of Alfredo Simon. Despite only allowing one earned run — raising his spring ERA to still an impressive 1.00 — he did surrender three total runs, allowed two hits and walked two batters. His debacle began on a wild pitch to Ben Zobrist and his inability to rebound is something to monitor if the Reds plan to use him in high-leverage end-of-game situations this season.