Goodyear, AZ (March 3, 2013) - I was a little late to this game. Basically, I landed in Phoenix and went directly to the ballpark as quickly as possible.
Homer Bailey was on the mound when I got there. I didn't recognize him at first. He's gotten quite solid - not the scrawny guy he used to be.
He had a fine outing. One hit, no walks, and five strikeouts. Five. He was on pace for a 22 strikeout game!
Joey Votto hits a double in the first.
No home runs for the Reds today, but there were a bunch of doubles.
Votto was stranded, but Mark Berry congratulated him anyway.
Actually, I just wanted an excuse to post a photo of Joey with tousled hair. Thud.
Devin Mesoraco also doubled.
As did Ryan LaMarre.
Homer heads to the locker room after a job well done.
Joey Votto and Jay Bruce head into the dugout. Votto waited for Bruce to get in from right field (the outfielders are always the last in). Wanted to talk to him or something. Or maybe just admire the rear view going down the steps. (Um, I may be projecting a bit here.)
The pride of Rice University, Tony Cingrani. He gave up a home run to Alex Gordon, but struck out two in his inning.
Logan Ondrusek, in a jam.
He escaped, thanks to a great play Jay Bruce made to rob Chris Getz of what would probably have been a bases-clearing double.
Inning over. Billy Hamilton congratulates Bruce.
Todd Frazier heads back to the locker room after five innings
Got some new facial hair, looks like.
Lotzkar of the Hill People.
JJ Hoover
Goodyear Ballpark mascot Zizzy wearing a strange, half-racist hybrid jersey, and dancing to "Gangnam Style."
Pedro Villarreal
Kris Negron got a hustle double. Guess his knee's all right.
Safe!
The Braunerhulk, Donald Lutz.
Billy Hamilton was mobbed by autograph seekers after the game.
Final score: Royals 8, Reds 1.