Observations from Cincinnati Reds’ 7-6 Loss to Athletics

The Cincinnati Reds saw a ninth-inning lead slip away on Saturday, on a walk-off wild pitch.

It might be spring training, but that’s never a fun way to lose. The Reds took a 6-4 lead in the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics and held onto the lead for the next three innings. The bullpen couldn’t seal the deal, though, as reliever Blake Wood gave up a pair of runs, the last being the ill-fated offering that got by catcher Jordan Pacheco to end things.

Here are some observations from the game:

Phillips’ hot streak continues

It was a slow start to the spring season for Brandon Phillips, as he hit just .150 through his first eight games. He’s caught fire recently, however. The second baseman went 2-for-3 with a double on Saturday, making him 6-for-8 with four doubles and five runs scored over his last three contests. Manager Bryan Price seems set on batting Phillips in the cleanup hole, so it’s a positive sign that he’s driving the ball well in Arizona.

New leader in clubhouse for left field?

If Phillips is the Reds’ hottest hitter right now, Adam Duvall isn’t far behind. He’s 6-for-his-last-12 at the plate with a homer and four runs batted in, and is now hitting .333 for the spring.  Meanwhile, Duvall’s fellow left-field candidate Scott Schebler has slumped recently, going 1-for-his-last-15 with six strikeouts to lower his spring average to .235. While Duvall has been more consistent at the plate in a small sample size this spring, Price told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon that he’s leaning toward using a platoon between the two in left field once the regular season begins.

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Another rough start for Iglesias

In his second start of the spring, Raisel Iglesias still showed some rust. Pitching two innings, he allowed a hit and walked two, surrendering an unearned run thanks to an error by Jose Peraza at shortstop. There’s nothing to worry about here, though. The important thing is that Iglesias continue to build his stamina and prepare for the regular season. With all the injuries the Reds have suffered in their starting rotation, getting Iglesias ready to go is vital.

Notes:

• Tony Cingrani continued to pitch well, firing two scoreless innings to keep his ERA unblemished on the spring.
• It didn’t go so well for the rest of the bullpen. It was another rough go for Tim Melville, who gave up two runs and five hits in three innings. Caleb Cotham allowed a run and two hits in the eighth inning before Wood blew the Reds’ 6-5 lead in the ninth.