Reds lose to Mariners, Giants in split-squad action

Blabbing thousands of words about a split-squad Saturday in the world of the Cincinnati Reds seems rather urge-overkill.

So, let's limerick.

Cincinnati Reds 6, Seattle Mariners 7

Must be hard to be Jesse Winker,

all last year with barely a dinger.

He tripled and scored

at times looking bored

but perhaps the man’s just a thinker.

***

There once was a man named Aquino

with a swing like the Great Bambino.

They lobbbed him a fat one,

he hit it a crap-ton,

and it landed half-way up to Reno.

***

Zack Cozart is back on two legs,

bemoaned by most Twitter eggs.

Loved by nerds in their basements,

and despite ready replacements,

his two-hit day should keep him his gig.

***

Six hits left in Finnegan's wake,

two walks in two frames they did take.

He'll climb back up that ladder,

perhaps a bit madder,

with an Opening Day start still at stake.

***

Des Jennings launched a key dinger

Dixon, too, cracked a rain-bringer.

They tied up the game

[insert emoji flame],

and it's there where the score did linger.

***

Lorenzen has found new beginning

that no longer includes frequent sinning.

He surrendered the lead

- a forgivable deed -

as it came late in his second inning.

Cincinnati Reds 7, San Francisco Giants 9

Cain's fame has become quite arcane,

far removed from his once perfect game.

The Reds crushed his weak stuff,

he left in a huff.

Perhaps he's still pitching through pain.

***

Duvall came up as a Giant,

to the Reds he came quite compliant.

Against his old cronies

he showed he's no phony,

a display he put on like Kris Bryant.

***

Schebler's his pal 'cross the grass,

chomping mouthguard and mouthguard en masse.

He singled twice,

and impressed Bryan Price.

Savvy grab by Cincinnati's brass.

***

Renda's engaged in a battle

to prove he's no four-A cattle.

A bench spot in sight,

his Spring has been bright.

This'd work better if he'd played Seattle.

***

The Giants teed-off on poor Feldman,

dingering thrice against the Reds' shelled-man.

He'll still have a role,

perhaps next year in Seoul,

where his ERA won't be so swelled-man.

***

What a debut for young T.J Friedl,

a script deserving of Don Cheadle.

A dinger honked,

one that was quite bonked,

and certainly moved the needle.

***

but we know the bullpen's history ain't great.

From a two run lead

to a three run defeat,

let us hope this is no repeat fate.

***

Other Notes

• Nick Senzel was originally scheduled to participate in big league action today, but he took a batting practice pitch off the wrist and was scratched. Turns out he's OK, however, which is a damn fine development.
• The Reds will play split-squad games again on Sunday. There aren't enough limericks in this world.
• Bronson Arroyo will start one of them for Cincinnati, and no this recap wasn't written in 2011. He'll go against the Milwaukee Brewers in Goodyear at 3:05 PM ET, while Rookie Davis will start against the Colorado Rockies in Scottsdale at 4:10 PM ET.
• Clocks roll forward tonight, so don't be that nerbler who forgets and tunes in an hour late.
• Tunes.