Reds owner, Bob Castellini (striped shirt), was in the house, walking by me just before the start of the game.
Reds GM Walt Jocketty also stopped in front of where I was sitting to spend a half inning with an older gentleman who was sitting in a wheel chair.
I was able to get shortstop Paul Janish's signature before the game - he had made a fantastic play the day before against Houston. As he signed my game ticket I congratulated him on the play and he politely said "thanks."
Both squads were playing most of their starters today, which is somewhat unusual for the visiting team. But the Pirates play in Bradenton, which is only about 20 minutes from here, so not a long trip for their starters to make.
This game was promising for a couple of reasons. The pitching match up featured Reds pitcher Homer Bailey and Pirates ace, Paul Maholm. For Homer it was an opportunity to gain some ground on the Reds 5th starter slot, as his chief competitor, Micah Owings had thrown a poor game against the Reds "A" team earlier in the week.
For Maholm, he's trying to make the Random Errors, and has yet to give up a run in spring training.
A few Pirates Notes
Nate McLouth hit a bomb off of Homer with the count full, after being down 0-2.
Ryan "EBay" Doumit had three hits, despite the Reds playing a strong lefty shift on him, although his first one was a nubber that didn't even roll out of the infield.
Phenom Steve Pearce, who climbed through their entire farm system in 2008 to finish with the big league club, came in to play first base later in the game.
Closer Matt Capps was roughed up a bit in his 7th inning appearance, victimized by a Jay Bruce 2-run homer.
Paul Maholm pitched six more scoreless innings for the Pirates.
More Notes for the Reds
Jeff Keppinger's downward slide continued. He played 2B as a last-minute substitute for flu victim Brandon Phillips. And while he did make an exceptional defensive play in the first inning to start a double play, his disastrous month at the plate continued. Up with two on, no out in the second he watched a called third strike. A couple innings later he grounded out weakly. Then, as the Reds were rallying in the bottom of the 8th, with runners at 1B and 3B and only one out, and down a run, Keppinger, like clockwork, hit into an easy 6-4-3 double play. He has become a ground ball machine.
Homer Bailey kept breathing. I mentioned a couple days ago how the Reds pitching coaches have instructed Homer to breathe deeply before he pitches as a way to slow down his motion. He pitched very well today for three innings, but gave up his first walk and then a home run in the fourth. The homer, off the bat of Nate McLouth, came after Homer had an 0-2 count on McLouth. This video shows his pre-pitch breathing.
Joey Votto continued to hit the ball well. Here he hits a 2-RBI double in the eighth inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, Votto came up with the bases loaded, two outs and one run down. After working the count full, he took a (disputed) called third strike that ended the game.
Willy Taveras, once again, failed to bunt effectively. He has little margin for error since all teams play him to bunt in every AB since he fakes it all the time.
Alex Gonzalez looked solid in the field, showing no adverse signs from his 2008 season-long injury.
Edwin Encarnacion hit #4 today, taking Brandon Phillips spot in the line up. EE had two hits, but also struck out swinging at two consecutive pitches in the dirt.
Jay Bruce is starting to heat up, blasting a no-doubt 2-Run homer off of Pirates closer Matt Capps.
Chris Dickerson, who was facing a tough LHP, had another line drive single up the middle and stole second. I'm expecting good SB numbers from him this year if he gets playing time.
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