It was a sunny day in Goodyear. Unfortunately, it was our last one there for this Spring. We did finally get to see a game at the Cincinnati Reds’ Goodyear Stadium.
The park had no upper level and appeared to be built in a hole dug into the ground instead of constructing it atop the desert floor. I don’t know if that had anything to do with the freezing cold of being in the shade, but it was one of the rare baseball games when I’ve actively sought out the sun.
Overall, the place was lovely, but it had a not-quite completed feel to it. I expect that to change as both the Indians and Reds become more established.
The game was all Reds until the 9th, when we were standing in the Kids Run the Bases line. Jordan Smith blew the game in grand style, making extra innings seem a sure thing. Mercifully, as if the Reds knew we had a flight to catch, the game was called after the bottom of the inning.
In lieu of the slideshow I’ve used for the other game wraps, here’s a gallery in rhyme.
Maloney is pitching
Stubbsey is swinging
Gomes is awaiting a fly
Phillips is watching
Hernandez is scoring
Votto’s a good looking guy
The butt-prints comparing
The fans are all staring
The game ends up in a tie
Edit: The Joey Votto image was so well-received at the RHM household that I needed to travel back to the halcyon days of Windows 95 and turn it into a desktop wallpaper (1920×1440).
Here’s a short video clip of Juan Francisco at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds. This is from the game where he hit 2 home runs against the Chicago Cubs.
On the last day of our trip we finally get to see Goodyear Ball Park where the Reds are based, along with the Indians. It’s the nicest park we’ve visited IMO. With no upper deck, it really captures the vast flat feel of AZ and there is lots of fun stuff for the kids to do. Also, George Foster is here…he’s following us!
The Cincinnati Reds made their first trip ever to HoHoKam Stadium to face the Chicago Cubs Saturday. Although they brought plenty of duffel bags, the Reds encountered a shortage of strikes in the 2nd half of the game.
Things started well for the Reds, with Homer Bailey throwing 3 innings of 1 run ball. Bailey struck out 2 and walked none.
After Juan Francisco hit his 2nd home run of the game, a 2-run shot thanks to Brandon Phillips clogging the bases, Bailey was in line to get the win.
That lasted for one inning. Then Micah Owings fell apart in his 2nd inning of work, allowing the Cubs to tie the game with a 3 run 5th.
Cincinnati next sent out Jon Adkins, who did nothing to out his name in the mix for a relief spot. Adkins threw gasoline on the fire and allowed 5 earned runs in 1 inning. It was ugly.
The good news is that Bailey looked fairly sharp. Hopefully, he’ll pick up right where he left off last year. Owings wasn’t, but I’m still not convinced he’s best used as a pitcher. Also, Juan Francisco is a powerful, powerful man. Is he Wily Mo Peña redux, or will he be able to become a more complete player? I don’t know, but I look forward to finding out.
By
