The Cincinnati Reds fell to 0-2 in Cactus League play after a 14-8 loss to the Seattle Mariners at home in Goodyear on Sunday afternoon. Let’s take a closer look at what went down.
The Good
Veteran righty Randy Dobnak has thrown exactly 15.0 big league innings since the end of the 2021 season. He was brought in on a minor league deal with the M’s, and he got the start on Sunday for them.
The top of the Cincinnati lineup wrecked him.
Dobnak was smashed for 7 hits and 5 ER in 1.1 IP. The top of the Reds order
flourished as TJ Friedl (1 for 2, R, 2 RBI), Matt McLain (2 for 3, R, 2 RBI), and Elly De La Cruz (2 for 3, 2 RBI) all looked in peak form.
Down in the bullpen, Graham Ashcraft fired a scoreless, hitless IP with a pair of Ks, while TJ Antone continued his way back from a third Tommy John surgery with a perfect frame of his own (with a K).
The Bad
Eugenio Suarez started for the second straight day with his new-old club, and he went 0 for 3 with a pair of Ks. He’s now 0 for 6 with a trio of Ks across his first two Cactus League games with the Reds.
It’s ok, though. We know Geno is streaky as can be, and frankly I’d prefer he get his bad streak out right now when the scoreboard doesn’t matter.
The Ugly
While Ashcraft and Antone were effective, the bulk of the rest of the relief corps fighting for Opening Day roster spots got smashed on the day.
Luis Mey (0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 ER), Zach Maxwell (0.2 IP, ER, 4 BB, K), and Connor Phillips (0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 0 K) couldn’t finish their innings, while Lyon Rirchardson (1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, O K) didn’t fare much better.
While the Reds invested heavily in more established bullpen arms so that these young bucks wouldn’t need to be locked in from day one, it’s still a bit alarming that all of them looked so lost at the same time this early in spring camp.
What’s Next
The Reds will have the day off on Monday before facing off against the Kansas City Royals at home on Tuesday. First pitch is once again slated for 3:05 PM ET, though it will also not be televised. You’ll be able to listen to it via 1360 WSAI, however.
Andrew Abbott will get the start for his Cactus League debut, while KC is currently scheduled to roll out veteran righty Michael Wacha for the start.
