Reds flat in 4-2 loss to White Sox

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Taylor Trammell stepped to the plate in the top of the eighth inning with the Reds trailing 3-0. The previous three batters had walked, singled, struck out, and walked, which meant the bases were loaded with Redlegs and that the White Sox pitcher (Burdi) was struggling to find the strike zone. The 19 year old Trammell showed the patience of a veteran, and took the first three pitches from Burdi to get ahead in the count 3-0. Burdi managed to run the count full before Trammell sent his 3-2 pitch to the opposite field for a two-run double. It was a legitimate big league at bat from the 35th pick in last year’s draft, and for a brief moment I felt what can only be described as hope for the Reds future. It’s been awhile.

Honorable Mentions are due to: Bronson Arroyo pitched four innings, allowing only four hits, including a 2-run homer to Nicky Delmonico. Delmonico has the name of someone that should’ve been cast in season two of "The Wire". He was 2-4 on the day with a homer and three RBI after doubling in an insurance run in the sixth inning.

Key Plays

• There weren’t many key plays for the Reds in this one. The bats were silent until the eighth, and even then it was just Trammell that did the damage.
• Arroyo was able to face his former teammate, Todd Frazier a couple of times in the game. He got Frazier to pop out to Peraza in the second inning, and then struck him out in the fourth just before Delmonico’s 2-run shot.
• The White Sox added an insurance run in the bottom half of the eighth after Matt Davidson singled in Jason Bourgeois. The next two batters struck out, including Avsail Garcia who subsequently experienced the friendliest ejection I’ve ever seen in a baseball game. I don’t know what he said, but those three words must’ve just been really mean and hurtful.

Other Notes

• Hernan Iribarren had a productive afternoon. He walked, and then scored on Trammell’s double before getting a single with nobody on base in the top of the ninth. He now has a .386 OBP on the spring.
• Wandy Peralta had a rough outing before getting those two strike outs to end the eighth inning. He gave up three hits and a run in just an inning of work.
• Several notable hitters weren’t used in the game including Joey Votto, Eugenio Suarez, Adam Duvall, Scott Schebler, Devin Mesoraco, and Zack Cozart.
• Jesse Winker started and played left field, but was just 0-3 on the day at the plate.
• The Reds will do it all again tomorrow when they face the Milwaukee Brewers at 4:05 ET in Goodyear Ballpark. The pitching matchup is lefty Tommy Millone for the Brewers going against Sal Romano for Cincinnati. Romano has enjoyed an excellent spring so far and could wrap up a spot in the starting rotation with another good showing.

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