Raising Reds: Catch-ing Up and Rehab Edition

Aug. 28, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Ryan Hanigan against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Got a couple of days in which to catch you up on the happenings within the Reds farm system, but there have been a couple of rehab assignments that will grab your attention. Most predominantly, one Johnny Cueto.

Louisville Bats

5/7: Louisville 6, Lehigh Valley 4
5/8: Louisville 6, Lehigh Valley 3
5/9: Louisville 4, Lehigh Valley 2

Over the last three days, the Bats have managed to get on a bit of a roll, winning three straight games over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs after dropping the first game of the series. That has put the Bats at .500 for the season with a record of 17-17. Ryan Hanigan has been on his own rehab assignment with Louisville. We all know what will happen transaction-wise once Hani is ready to return.

On Wednesday evening, Greg Reynolds hurled 7 innings and allowed only 2 runs in the win. Last night, Pedro Villarreal went 6, allowing only 3 hits and no runs.

Since Hanigan hit Louisville, he has played in 3 games. He’s 3-for-8 at the plate (all singles) with a strikeout, a walk and 2 RBI. He’s also scored 2 runs.

Next Game: 5/10 v. Buffalo, 6:35 PM ET. Daniel Corcino (1-5, 7.56 ERA) will take the mound for Jim Riggleman’s squad.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos

5/7: Pensacola 5, Jacksonville 4 (13 innings)
5/8: Pensacola 1, Jacksonville 3
5/9: Pensacola 3, Jacksonville 10

The Blue Wahoos have dropped two straight to Jacksonville after taking the first game of their five-game series. In that game, Chad Rogers, the freshly minted Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April, went 5 innings surrendering 1 run on 4 hits. Rogers also whiffed 8 Suns batters.

On Wednesday, it was a two-run 8th innings for the Suns that was the difference. The Blue Wahoos had knotted the game at 1-1 in the top of the 8th on a Joe Mather double, but the lead was short-lived.

Last night, they got behind early, were in the process of playing catch up when the Suns portion of the 8th bit ’em again. This time, 5 runs would cross the plate and Jacksonville would ease to the win.

Next Game: 5/10 @ Jacksonville, 7:05 PM ET. Josh Smith (3-3, 5.20 ERA) is scheduled to get the call.

Bakersfield Blaze

5/7: San Jose 10, Bakersfield 3
5/8: San Jose 6, Bakersfield 1
5/9: San Jose 6, Bakersfield 2

Three losses and being swept by the SJ-Giants can’t be sitting right. Add those three L’s to the previous five and the Blaze have dropped 8 straight. It is the third losing streak of 7 or more games the Blaze have suffered so far in 2013. They haven’t won since May 1st…and it was against the SJ-Giants.

Next Game: 5/10 v. Modesto, 10:30 PM ET. As of this time, no starter has been announced on the team website.

Dayton Dragons

5/7: OFF
5/8: Lansing 4, Dayton 11
5/9: Lansing 6, Dayton 9

Of course the big story in Dayton was the return to the mound of Johnny Cueto. He was a member of the Dragons in 2006. The Reds ace was on a pitch count and went 3 innings. Had slight control issues at first, but he settled in during the 2nd. Cueto allowed a run in the first inning, but no other scores after that. He also gave up a total of 4 hits and struck out 4 Lugnuts.

The bigger story is the awakening of the Dragons bats. In the two games in this series, 20 Dragons have scored. Best part is that it wasn’t one player in both games, but it was a team effort. Well, save Nick O’Shea and his 4 RBI on Wednesday. Jesse Winker is batting .425 over his last 10 games and Tanner Rahier is at .300 over his last 10 games, including 3 HR 10 RBI in that time.

On Wednesday, a strong start from Robert Stephenson (6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 9 SO) backed the win. Last night was a little more touchy as Lansing scored 4 runs on the game’s final 2 innings.

Next Game: 5/10 v. Lansing, 7:00 PM ET. Pedro Diaz is slated the take the hill for Dayton.

Transactions

We all know of the rehab stints for Hanigan and Cueto, right?

Ray Chang – assigned to Louisville from Pensacola (5/6)
Armando Galarraga – activated from 7-day DL (5/7)
Joe Mather – assigned to Pensacola (5/7)
Tanner Robles – placed on restricted list (5/7)
Daniel Tuttle – suspended for 100 games for violation of Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for “drug of abuse”. This is Tuttle’s third suspension under this policy, last was in July of 2011.