Observations from Cincinnati Reds’ 5-4 Win Over Rockies

After giving up 27 runs in the previous two games, the Cincinnati Reds got back in the win column on Thursday. Trailing for the entire afternoon, the Reds staged a ninth-inning comeback to triumph over the Colorado Rockies, 5-4, to improve their record to 5-4-1 on the spring.

Here are some observations and notes from the game:

Schebler keeps slugging

The torrid start for Scott Schebler continued, as he went 2-for-3 with a run batted in, raising his spring line to .368/.400/.789 with two home runs and five runs batted in. From what he’s shown this month, it would mighty hard to give the left-field job to anyone else, but Adam Duvall is hardly laying down (.375, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 4 RBI). If anything is setting them apart, it’s defense. Though Schebler is not regarded as a future Gold Glove award winner, Duvall is known as a below-average defender.

Finnegan hits first rough patch of spring

Through his first two outings, Brandon Finnegan had been rock solid on the mound, allowing no runs and only two hits through three innings. The lefty didn’t have his best stuff on Thursday, however, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk as he was unable to make it three innings. While it wasn’t his best outing, it’s nothing more than a blip on the radar for Finnegan. With all the injuries to Reds starters, his job in the rotation is probably safe, at least to start the season.

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Bullpen candidates have (mostly) solid showings

A quartet of pitchers vying for a spot in the Reds’ relief corps saw action against the Rockies, and all but Stephen Johnson (three walks, one earned run) pitched well. Jumbo Diaz relieved Finnegan and fired 1.1 scoreless innings, his only mistake being a walk. Pedro Villarreal and A.J. Morris also toed the rubber, with the former allowing only a hit through two innings and the latter tossing a perfect eighth inning.

Notes:

• Following a collision with Jake Cave in the outfield, Jesse Winker was removed from the game early. Reds fans can breathe a sigh of relief, however, as he was taken out as a “precaution,” according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s C. Trent Rosecrans.
• Minor leaguers once again led a final-inning surge for the Reds. After a single and a double by Brandon Dixon and Donald Lutz, respectively, Seth Mejias-Brean brought both home with a single to take a 4-3 advantage. For good measure, Brandon Allen added an RBI double two batters later to pad the lead.
• Tyler Holt continued hitting the ball well by picking up a hit in his only at-bat to raise his average to .375 (6-for-16) this spring.