Bats Rack: Stay Positive

After a disappointing homestand, the Bats embark on an eight game road trip starting today in Buffalo. After taking three of four against Durham (Rays), the Bats turned around and lost three of four to lowly Norfolk (Orioles). Two of those losses came Tuesday when the Bats mustered all of one run on ten hits in double header action. That puts the Bats at a record of 16-10, which isn’t all that bad. Problem is they’re 5 GB of Columbus (Indians) who are 21-5 and have won 13 games in a row.

Part of the problem for the Bats lately is that Dave Sappelt has been injured (strained oblique) and has not played for the last three days. Sappelt looks and says he feels fine, but there’s obviously no need to rush him back if there’s even a little bit of discomfort.

The Bats play four in Buffalo (Mets) and four in Rochester (Twins) before returning home May 13 for a quick four game home series against Buffalo.

Who’s Hot

Dave Sappelt – Yeah, he’s hurt right now, but look at these gaudy numbers: .341 AVG, .417 OBP, .588 SLG, 7 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 11 RBI in 26 games. That’s just stupid good. I absolutely love watching this guy play—especially in the field. He gets to balls most guys can’t get. There’s been at least 5 or 6 times during his injury when a ball gets down in the gap and I’ll say, “Man, if Sappelt was out there, he’d have caught that.” People, this guy is good. Plain and simple. I don’t care how it happens, but the Reds must make room for him.

Yonder Alonso – Alonso started the season extremely cold but has come on very strong as of late. Here’s his line for the past 10 games: .355 AVG, .400 OBP, .710 SLG, 3 HR, 10 RBI. To give you an idea of how cold he started, he didn’t have a HR or RBI until April 24, 16 games into the season. But, as a lot of Bats tend to do, Yonder’s bat has heated up with the weather.

Jose Arredondo – From what I’ve heard he should have two or three appearances left before being activated from the DL by the Reds. Here’s Arredondo’s line in 9 rehab appearances between Double-A Carolina and Louisville: 2-1, 11.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 16 K, 5 BB, 3.09 ERA. Arredondo looks like he’s back to his 2008 form. This is great news for Reds fans.

Homer Bailey – He’s starting today for the Reds. And if his time with the Bats is an indicator of things to come, watch out. In three starts for the Bats, Homer went 2-0 with a 0.54 ERA, giving up just 1 R on 11 H in 16.2 IP. Not to mention his 14 SO to just 4 BB. Hopefully he keeps it going with the Reds.

For the sake of not being negative, as I tend to do, I am not going to list guys that in cold streaks right now. As the weather gets warmer, the Bats tend to do the same. Until next time, Reds fans, stay cool.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @kevingeary10 and BRM @blogredmachine.