Reds End Slide, Top Mariners 10-9

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Happening simultaneously in the beautiful city of Peoria, was something we have not seen since last Sunday; a Reds victory.  By no means was the game technically sound, but as we stated, a win is a win, even if it’s a Spring Training win.

In front of nearly 6,000 on-lookers, the Reds defeated the Seattle Mariners by a score of 10-9 in what can be described a seesaw affair after the club pounced out to a commanding 8-0 lead. 

Offensive Side of the Diamond:

The action started hot and heavy against the Mariners on Friday afternoon with long-time veteran starter, Randy Wolf, serving up long balls.  Chris Heisey continued his torrid stretch when he yanked out a two-run homer in the first to put the Reds ahead.  Following that, Brandon Phillips had his first of the season for a solo shot.

He may not have gotten a hit, but Billy Hamilton found his way on base via a walk.  From there, havoc was unleashed.  He swiped second with Jason Bourgeois in the box, then they tag teamed after a walk, executing a double steal and put two men in scoring position without so much as a batter making contact.

Reaping the benefits of the runners in front of him, “DatDude” drove in both men with a RBI single to cap off what was a supremely productive day for him, going 2-for-2 with 3 RBI’s. 

Immediately after that, the Mariners made a pitching change to Logan Bawcom, who was promptly greeted with Chris Heisey’s second smash of the contest, also capping off an impressive day for the odd man out in the Cincinnati outfield equation. 

The go-ahead runs were tacked on in the 8^th by RBI’s coming from Argenis Diaz and Rossmel Perez.

Neftali Soto also stayed white hot, as he stroked his fifth double of the early season and after going 1-for-4, he watched his average plummet all the way down to .450.  He has to be an early candidate for best surprise thus far.

Reds’ Toeing the Rubber:

Opposed to David Holmberg getting the ball, we received Brett Marshall.  The man claimed off waivers from the Cubs yet again proved to be effective as he navigated a live minefield of base runners and men in scoring position, as he did not give up a run through his three innings of work, but did yield four hits and three walks. 

Up next, was Ismael Guillon, who was plastered yet again.  Anytime a pitcher’s ERA is hovering somewhere around 11, there’s an issue there.  Not being able to finish his two innings of work, Guillon gave up three runs, all of them earned, after going 1-2-3 in the fourth. 

Heading towards the bottom of the sixth, the Reds held an 8-3 lead with Daniel Corcino coming on.  Just two outs later, the lead they worked so hard to build, had evaporated.

Lightning struck twice in the same place for Corcino his first two outings, as he was pounded mercilessly.  Amazingly enough, the same rang true for his third outing. 

According to Pitch FX, and our own Doug Gray, Corcino’s fastball came in at an average of 88.7 MPH.  Ten-to-twenty years ago, that may have not been so much of an issue.  In the modern era of baseball, unless there is some pretty filthy secondary stuff to go along with that, it won’t fly. 

On the day, Corcino recorded two outs right off the bat, appearing as if he may finally get a clean, productive inning.  Then it went: home run, walk, double, triple, walk.  Having seen enough, he was yanked in favor of hard-throwing Michael Lorenzen who ended Corcino’s day by serving up a two-run double, allowing him to exit with five earned runs allowed. 

The back end combination of Lorenzen, Jumbo Diaz and Carlos Contreras sealed the deal and got the Reds back to their winning ways. 

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Tomorrow afternoon, the Reds lock up with a divisional opponent for the first time this spring when they clash with the Chicago Cubs. 

Looking to continue his brilliant work thus far, Alfredo Simon will take to the hill getting the start.  Tune in to WLW at 3:05 for coverage.