Observations from Cincinnati Reds Blowout, 16-7 Loss to Giants

It was a long, ugly night for the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, as they were pummeled by the San Francisco Giants, 16-7, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Here our some observations and notes from the game:

Pitching implosion

As the final score might’ve indicated, things did not go well for Reds pitchers. In his second outing of the spring, probable Opening Day starter Anthony DeSclafani allowed four runs through three innings, including a deep home run to Jarrett Parker.

He was relieved by Jonathan Sanchez, who got bashed by his former team. The southpaw gave up five runs in 1.2 innings and couldn’t find the strike zone — a big reason why he’s been out of the majors since 2013 — surrendering four walks and letting a run score on a wild pitch. Tonight’s poor performance may have been enough to derail Sanchez’s chance of making the roster.

The beatdown continued in the seventh. After two perfect appearances to open up the spring, Chris O’Grady could only record one out as he was rocked for five runs on three hits and a walk. Carlos Contreras took over and got out of the inning, but gave up two more runs in the eighth.

When all was said and done, the Reds allowed 16 runs, 17 hit, eight walks, two home runs and two wild pitches. This will be one they try to forget.

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Young hitters pummel Bumgarner

It wasn’t all bad for the Reds, however, as they got to All-Star Madison Bumgarner for three runs in the first inning. Most of the damage against the southpaw came from left-handed hitters, which made it all the more impressive. Jake Cave started things off with a single and eventually came around to score on an RBI hit by Jesse Winker. Two batters later, Scott Schebler sent a towering, two-run home run (his second of the spring) to right field to give the Reds an early three-run advantage. Winker would add a second hit off of Bumgarner in the third.

Notes:

• Tony Cingrani (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) and Drew Hayes (0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) were the only two Reds pitchers to keep the Giants off the scoreboard.
• Joining Winker in the multi-hit club were Ramon Cabrera (2-for-3, 2B) and top-10 prospect Alex Blandino (2-for-2).
• Donald Lutz made his first appearance in an “A” game this spring, going 1-for-2 with a two-run double. The 27-year-old missed most of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and was released in June before being re-signed to a minor-league contract in January.
• When someone hits a ball 420+ feet, even to straightaway center field, it’s usually well out of the ballpark. Don’t tell Brandon Allen that. He roped a pitch that would’ve been a home run in almost any other place except Scottsdale Stadium, which measures 430 feet in center. Instead, it clanged off the wall and Allen would have to settle for a double.