Raising Reds: We’ll Take a Split

Four games: win two, lose two. I suppose you take what you can get.

Walk-offs are nice. Two in a row are even better. Ask the gang down in Pensacola about that.

Guess that brings me to this question. Is there a “preferred way” to lose a game, provided you lose? I know many don’t like losing period, but it is part of baseball considering all the games you play in a season.

Think about this. Would you rather hang tight for a while, then get blown out or give up a late run to your opponent? Both happened within the system last evening.

Louisville Bats

Bats 9, Knights 6 (Box)

A six-run 2nd inning staked the Bats to an early lead. This one wouldn’t get away as Louisville was 8-for-16 with runners in scoring position. The offense was charged by Felix Perez as he went 3-for-4 and drove in three. He’s now batting .317 for the season.

Daniel Corcino went only 5 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 runs. He struck out 7 Charlotte batters and walked 3. In facing 21 batters, he did throw 99 pitches, the most likely cause for only going 5.

Next Game: 5/16 @ Charlotte, 7:15 PM ET. Chad Reineke is scheduled for the start.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Lookouts 3, Blue Wahoos 4 in 10 innings (Box)

May 19, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Mather hits a two run home run during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field. Remember when Mather was a Cub? (Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)

Another night, another walk-off for the Blue Wahoos. That’s two in a row, but this one wasn’t on a wild pitch. It was a Ryan LaMarre single, his only hit of the game, which pushed across Bryson Smith, who was 3-for-5, for the game winner. Joe Mather (right) hit his first home run as a member of the Reds organization. He also had a pair of RBI.

Despite not getting the win, Josh Smith went 6 innings and allowed only 1 run on 7 hits. He walked a pair and whiffed 4.

Next game: 5/16 v. Chattanooga, 8:00 PM ET. Tim Crabbe will be looking for his third win of the season.

Bakersfield Blaze

Blaze 1, Ports 2 (Box)

Juan Duran was responsible for the only Blaze tally: his second home run of the season. Carlos Contreras hurled 6 innings permitting only a couple of hits and a run. He walked one while striking out 9.

Next Game: 5/16 @ Stockton, 2:05 PM ET. Early game over on the west coast. No starter yet announced.

Dayton Dragons

Whitecaps 11, Dragons 3 (Box)

Jumping out to an early lead is usually pretty good. Just not on this night for the Dragons. Entering the 6th in a 3-3 tie, West Michigan erupted for 8 runs over the next 2 innings. Doesn’t help when the opposing #8 and #9 hitters drive in 5 runs. Neither does going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Ismael Guillon went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs and 5 its. The control is still an issue as he walked 5 West Michigan batters. He also struck out 5.

Next Game: 5/16 v. West Michigan, 7:00 PM ET. Pedro Diaz looks for his first win of 2013 as he takes the mound for the Dragons.

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