Garrett shines, Reds beat A’s 3-1

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

On the same day the Reds learned that their best pitcher would miss a minimum of four weeks with a UCL sprain, Amir Garrett’s spring training gem was a welcome relief. Garrett — a key contender to take Anthony DeSclafani’s spot in the rotation — pitched four near-perfect innings, striking out three without allowing any walks or hits. The only Oakland player to reach base was when Adam Rosales reached on an error by Cincinnati first baseman, Ryan Raburn.

Key Plays

• Athletics outfielder, Mark Canha failed to make a play on a fly ball hit to right field by Raburn. The miscue allowed Jesse Winker to advance to third, and then eventually score on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Dixon.
• Winker reached base for the second time with a four-pitch walk in the fourth inning. Brandon Dixon followed with a no-doubt homer to left-centerfield to put the Reds out in front 3-0.
• Trailing 3-0 in the top of the ninth inning, A’s first baseman, Chris Parmalee knocked a solo home run off of Keury Mella to close the gap to 3-1.

Rapid Reaction GIF

Other Notes

• For a league concerned so much with the length of games, this one came in at 2 hours and 15 minutes. I’m pretty sure the UC-UConn basketball game from Saturday night lasted longer.
• Billy Hamilton played DH today, and continued his rough spring. He went 0-2 with a groundout and flyout. He’s now batting .148 with a .355 OPS on the spring.
• Jackson Stephens pitched his third straight game without allowing a run. After giving up three runs to the Indians on February 25th, he’s pitched five innings, allowing two hits, three walks, and no runs.
• Next up, the Reds take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch tomorrow afternoon. Tim Adleman will be on the mound opposite Rich Hill with first pitch set for 4:05 PM ET.

Again, not much of a music person, so please enjoy this movie instead. It’s a 2006 french thriller called Tell No One. It has subtitles, but trust me, well worth it.