Reds Lose Fourth In a Row, 3-2

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t call it a losing streak.  Really, don’t. 

When Chris Heisey is batting third in any order, the game should be taken with the finest grain of salt possible, which is of course with no offense to Mr. Heisey, who is quite a fine talent. 

With the backups playing (only Frazier and Mesoraco saw time) against the Giants stars that you have become familiar with (Hunter Pence, Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval, etc.), nothing should be too nitpicked.  Especially when the loss comes by a measly score of 3-2, let’s lighten up.

Alas, this is Spring Training for a team and a fan base that is starving for wins and we will take them in exhibitions if we must.  As a wise man once said, “‘tis better to win, than to lose.”

Offensive Side of the Diamond:

Do you hear those crickets?  Of course you do; the Reds bats have been so silent that is impossible not to be bothered by their incessant buzzing.  Against the extremely formidable front line of the Giants’ bullpen, and newly acquired All-Star Tim Hudson, the team squeaked out an underwhelming three hits.  The only run scored off the Major Leaguers came at the expense of closer Sergio Romo, and it was unearned, after Juan Duran reached on a throwing error.

Regardless if the run was earned or not, Travis “Moose” Mattair got credit for the “ribeye” as Brandon Phillips has taken such pleasure in calling it.  Somewhere out there, some poor soul is crying, “Promote Mattair!  He’s hitting .500 for the love of all that is Holy!”  If you’re that guy, it’s perfectly alright; you’re correct by every stretch of the imagination.  Unfortunately, for you, six at-bats from a middling minor leaguer is not enough to magically appear on a 40-man roster.  Keep retweeting him on Twitter though!  (@mooser3226)

Back-to-back doubles in the ninth from Tucker Barnhart and Yorman Rodriguez kept the faith alive to pull within a run, but after Neftali Soto’s line drive was snared to end the contest, extra innings were thankfully averted. 

Also of note, Jason Bourgeois made his spring debut, striking out swinging in the second and bouncing out to first in the fifth, going 0-for-2.

Reds’ Toeing the Rubber:

The “Bearded One,” a.k.a. Tony Cingrani, had yet another solid performance on this afternoon as he neglected to yield a hit in his three innings of work. 

Managing to sidestep disaster was the young Cingrani as he walked three hitters, before promptly picking two of them off first base with what has proven to be a lethal move.  Combining that with the prowess of Aroldis Chapman and Johnny Cueto at the very same task and it seems the Reds may be destined to lead the league in pickoffs this year.  Now, if someone would be so kind to create a stat to show the relevance of that, I will be quite pleased.

Also working three innings was Chien-Ming Wang, who was the Reds lone glutton of punishment on this day.  He served up a gopher ball to the “Kung Fu Panda” Pablo Sandoval, who promptly deposited of it into right field for his first home run of the spring.  Two more runs came across before the bleeding ceased, and ultimately, Wang wound up with the loss.

Curtis Partch and Trevor Bell each pitched a scoreless inning to round out the game as a season-low four pitchers appeared ahead of the split squad games tomorrow afternoon.

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Up next, are the aforementioned split squad games.  Home at Goodyear Ballpark, Mike Leake will be taking on the Chicago White Sox, while David Holmberg gets the ball in the game against the Mariners. 

If you weren’t already loving coverage of the one game you did not get to watch (I know that you are), tomorrow, you get the Daily Double!