Raising Reds: Is Billy Finding His Bat?

Feb 16, 2013; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton poses for a photo during photo day at the Reds Spring Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Four games, three wins. Haven’t seen that in a little bit from the farm, but last night was just such an event. A couple of Reds were on rehab assignment in Florida. Must be nice…

There’s also a disturbing trend happening. Far from disturbing for Reds fans, but all other fans. Seems like there are some guys starting to hit their stride from the plate. You’ll see who I mean.

Louisville Bats

Bison 5, Bats 4 (Box)

The Bats dropped a 5-4 decision to the Buffalo Bison as Jose Diaz was unable to hold the Bats 4-2 lead and served up a 3-run homer to Buffalo’s Mauro Gomez in the Bison half of the 8th inning. Greg Reynolds had pitched 7 innings of 7-hit, 2-run ball prior to Diaz’s entrance. Despite the loss, there were a couple of good signs from the game.

Billy Hamilton might be breaking out of his April to early May funk. BHam was 3-5 last night, scored 3 runs and swiped a pair of bags. Over his last 7 games, he is hitting.364 and has raised his season batting average to .236.

What I said about Hamilton, write the same for Henry Rodriguez. HRod was hampered some last season with a wrist injury and it just now looking like the HRod that we are used to seeing. He’s hitting .429 over his last 7 games and is currently hitting .271 on the season.

Next Game: 5/14 @ Charlotte, 7:15 PM ET. Pedro Villarreal looks for his second win of 2013.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Lookouts 1, Blue Wahoos 5 (Box)

The big news in Pensacola was the rehab starts for Manny Parra (1 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 13 pitches, 9 strikes) and Chris Heisey (removed in bottom of first, fielded a couple of fly balls). NO word as of yet) as to Heisey’s early departure. This marked the first time Pensacola was the host to rehabbing Reds.

The bigger news might be the performance of Ryan Dennick. After Parra pitched the game’s first inning, Dennick followed with 6 innings and surrendered only 2 hits. He also struck out 3 Chattanooga players.

With the win, the Blue Wahoos snapped a 5-game losing streak.

Next Game: 5/14 v. Chattanooga. Daniel Renken will be on the mound for Pensacola.

Bakersfield Blaze

Nuts 2, Blaze 5 (Box)

James Allen picked up the W as he hurled 6.2 innings, allowing only a pair of runs and 5 hits. He walked only 1 batter while striking out 5.

Kyle Walrop continued his power stroke, clubbing another home run (his 8th on the season and 3rd in his last 3 games) and drove in 2. Waldrop is hitting .385 and boasts an OBP of .429 over his last 7 games. He has brought in batting average up from .195 to .229 over than span.

Next Game: 5/15 @ Stockton, 1005 PM ET. No starter for that game has been announced.

Dayton Dragons

Tincaps 5, Dragons 4 (Box)

Entering the top of the 7th, Dayton held a 4-1 lead. Fort Wayne plated 2 runs in the 7th and the 8th as the Dragons dropped their third game in a row. A pair of unearned runs didn’t help their cause.

Robert Stephenson pitched 6 strong innings and permitted only 2 hits and the run he allowed was of the unearned variety. Seth Mejias-Brean drove in 3 of Dayton’s runs and Joe Hudson accounted for the other Dayton run.

Next Game: 5/14 v. West Michigan. Johnny Cueto is tentatively scheduled another rehab start for the Dragons in this one.

Here’s how we look standings-wise:

Louisville: 18-20, 3rd (of 4) in IL West and 8.5 games back of Indianapolis (PIT)
Pensacola: 13-22, 5th (of 5) in Southern League South and 10 games back of Mississippi (ATL)
Bakersfield: 11-27, 5th (of 5) in Cal League North and 14 games back of San Jose (SF)
Dayton: 12-24, 8th (of 8) in Midwest League Eastern and 11.5 games behind South Bend (ARI)