Observations from the Reds’ 10-6 loss to Arizona

The Cincinnati Reds’ drought of winning back-to-back games continued on Wednesday night.

Jon Moscot, who was scheduled to start, was scratched due to a muscle strain, and his replacement, Timothy Adleman, underwhelmed his way, probably, off of the spring training roster en route to a 10-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Reds used a four-run seventh inning to combat a 9-2 deficit but it wasn’t enough. Here are some takeaways from Wednesday’s game:

Dixon finds paydirt

The third and least compelling of the returnees in the Todd Frazier trade, Dixon belted a three-run homerun in the four-run seventh inning. However, earning just his ninth and 10th at-bats of the spring, Dixon is not expected to have a role with the Reds in 2016 and any future role is undetermined at this time as well.

Still, Dixon collected his first homerun, first three RBI and second hit of the spring. He slashed .263/.303/.443 with 19 HR and 26 SB in 128 games across the Dodgers’ High- and Double-A affiliates in 2015.

Phillips breaks out of slump

Mired in a 4-for-22 spring training slump, Brandon Phillips registered his first multi-hit game of the spring. He scored a single and his second double of the spring, albeit out of the three-hole, which Phillips doesn’t figure to spend much if any time in at all during the 2016 season — assuming a healthy Joey Votto.

Regardless, Phillips’ spring performance ultimately means very little to him repeating his impressive, bounce-back 2015 season. But it is nice to see Phillips put together an encouraging game with the season two weeks away.

Cingrani keeps it going

Tony Cingrani continues his strong spring with another shutout inning on Wednesday. Cingrani did walk his third batter of the spring, but added two more strikeouts and did not allow a hit. He has now tossed six innings with nine strikeouts an no runs allowed as he makes his case for a back-of-the-bullpen role and potentially a shot at the closer’s gig if others struggle. 

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• RP Ryan Mattheus allowed two earned runs in two innings of work, but due to a rough spring to date, actually lowered his Spring Training ERA.
• Jose Peraza blasted his first triple of the spring and raised his spring average to .367. Yep, he’s fast. He did leave three runners on base, though.
• Adam Duvall followed up Tuesday’s strong performance with an 0-for-3 outing with two strikeouts and two left on base.