Boxscore

Game two of the 2010 spring training season saw the Reds losing by somewhat less of a margin to the same team they lost to the day before. So I guess that’s a step in the right direction.

Though these first couple games haven’t exactly been what Redsland would prefer to see, I have really liked the fact that they’re facing some actual competition in preparing for the regular season. Years of being 20 minutes away from the Pirates spring training facility may not have served the team as well as it might have.

But anyway, it was young Johnny Cueto’s turn on the mound. He lasted for two innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk. Arther Rhodes, Francisco Cordero, Travis Wood, some guy named Leake, and–what the hell, Kip Wells is still with the Reds??–fared better and allowed zero runs on two hits among them.

The Reds’ out-hit the Indians 9-7 but could only convert two runs. Valaika and Cairo were the two to actually cross the plate.

Monday’s game was canceled due to rain. (That’s right: it was raining in the desert. In fact, it was the same damn temperature there as it was in Indianapolis. Can’t wait to fly out there on Friday and hang by the pool in the 50 degree weather.) They’ll be back in action tomorrow as Bronson Arroyo takes the mound against the Royals.

Boxscore

The Reds kicked off the spring training season on Friday, and boy did it ever feel good to listen to some baseball on the radio on the drive home after work.

The game itself didn’t feel so great for the Reds, though, who gave up some big-time runs to their new facility partners, the Cleveland Indians. Mike Lincoln took the mound to start the game, as if the Reds were giving him one more chance to demonstrate that he’s still got starter potential in him. In one and a third innings, he allowed four runs (earned) on seven hits, including a home run to Asdrubal Cabrera to lead it off.

As much as I enjoy the Reds winning in spring training, I have almost a dress rehearsal/opening night superstition about it and find myself thinking that a loss now equals wins later. However, the way the almost-opening-day lineup failed to show up on the offensive side in this game sent reminiscent chills of dread up my spine. The Redlegs had only two runs on five hits. Could this again be what we’re in for in the 2010 season?

The Reds went on to face the Indians again on Sunday. Johnny Cueto faced off against David Huff.

The Reds have announced today that Aaron Harang will, indeed, be the guy to take the mound on Opening Day. To secure this position, Harang beat out such shining stars as:

• Johnny Cueto, now entering his second full year in the majors
• Homer Bailey, now entering his first full year as a grownup
• Aroldis Chapman, the guy they haven’t even decided will be on the 25-man

No word yet on whether Micah Owings was a serious contender.

Actually, according to Reds.com, our favorite guitar-playing, day-game-hating, braid-wearing, run-support getting, good-for-half-the-season-and-then-toast Bronson Arroyo was the real threat:

Although the choice to go with Harang is tried and true, it’s not the conventional decision this time around. He is coming off of back-to-back six-win seasons, while Bronson Arroyo has won 15 games each of the past two years.

This move will give Arroyo two extra days to load up on supplements before he faces the Cards’ #2, and will save the Reds from having to identify themselves as a team whose best pitcher was the #5 for the Red Sox.

Opening Day and the 1977 pretend Reds were hosting the always pretend Expos. Though Seaver took the mound, the Expos pulled off a minor miracle with the 5-3 win:

EXPOS 5-11-0, at REDS 3-8-2 (10 innings)
Runner-up for Game of the Day. Rogers and ‘Spos take 3-0 lead with mini-rallies off Tom Terrific. Cincy explodes for three in the 8th on Griffey and Bench doubles and jettison Rogers. Gary Kid Carter bashes 2-run homer in top of the 10th off Sarmiento for the game-winners.

W-Kerrigan L-Sarmiento HR-Carter

Read about this and all the pretend disco-era baseball fun at Play That Funky Baseball.