The Reds showed us again today what a high powered offense they'll have as long as they face Triple-A pitching all year, defeating the defending World Champs by a score of 10-3. Some highlights:
- Joey Votto was 2 for 2 with a run-scoring single and a solo home run. After the slow Spring he had last year, it's good to see him get a jump on the game this year. Hopefully he can keep it going when it counts.
- Jonny Gomes had two doubles and two RBI in his first real opportunity to stick his hat into the LF race. I won't lie to you, I'm really hoping for a Dickerson/Gomes platoon in LF. In my eyes, that's the Reds best chance for putting a legitimate LF in the lineup.
- Juan Francisco had his first hit, an RBI double. Three children were eaten at the celebration.
- Willy Taveras tacked his first unoffical glove up on the board today and he also took a walk. HAVOC ensued.
- Speaking of HAVOC, the Reds had two base runners make outs on the base paths today. That is now 5 outs on the bases in 3 games. And yet the Reds are still averaging 7 runs per game. HIGH. POWERED. HAVOC.
- Pitching-wise: Arroyo had a little trouble in the first but settled down. Matt Maloney did not help his cause at all, allowing 2 runs in 2 innings. Daryl Thompson got the win with 2 shutout innings and the rest of the pen struck out 4 in the final 3 innings while allowing only one hit.
The Joe Nuxhall Honorary Memorial Star of the Game goes to Joey Votto.
Special thanks to Petey Hendrix for the play-by-play in today's game thread. If you missed the action, I suggst you check that thread for all of the details.