Before tonight’s game against the Chicago Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds called up Tony Cingrani to make a start in the place of disabled ace Johnny Cueto. Henry Rodriguez was sent down to Louisville to make room on the active roster.
But this may be just a single game appearance for Cingrani this time. During Cueto’s previous time on the disabled list, Cingrani made six starts and acquitted himself well. The Reds are expecting Cueto to be ready to go the next time his turn comes in the rotation.
“I felt really good,” Cueto said after the throwing session at Wrigley Field. “I feel ready now.”
This is good news. Of course, Cueto’s absence has not been felt strongly at all, thanks to Cingrani. I wonder, though, is there any chance of having Cingrani stay around to shore up the bullpen? The relievers need the help far more than the starters.
You might not remember Ramon Ortiz from his time with the Cincinnati Reds. He was in the starting rotation for the forgettable 2005 team and wasn’t the worst starter–Eric Milton and Luke Hudson were battling for that title. But I do remember his love of cutting the hair of his teammates.
Yesterday, his comeback attempt with the Toronto Blue Jays ended in a spectacularly painful and public fashion, as he felt a tear in his elbow after delivering a pitch.
You can tell Ortiz knows it’s the end. At 40, he’s not likely to come back from an extended rehab.
This may not be fair to Bronson Arroyo, but it felt like forever since good-rroyo had shown up to put down the Cincinnati Reds’ opponent. Arroyo did that and then some this time against the Colorado Rockies, throwing 8 innings of shutout baseball to improve his record to 6-5.
In his 8 innings, Arroyo allowed 4 hits and struck out 3. After he was finished, Aroldis Chapman came on to pitch the 9th. Chapman was solid, walking one and recording 3 strikeouts to pick up his 15th save.
On the scoring side, the game was a pitcher’s duel. Until the 4th, the game was a shutout. However, in the fourth with two outs, Jay Bruce singled, continuing his improved May hitting into June. After Bruce stole second base, Todd Frazier singled to drive in the only run the Reds would need for the entire game.
Bruce added some insurance runs in the 8th with his 9th home run, driving in Zach Cozart. After that, there was no doubt about it. The Reds won, erasing that last loss to the Pirates from the fans’ memory and keeping pace with the first place St. Louis Cardinals.
The Reds go for the series win today when they send Homer Bailey out against Juan Nicasio.
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Before tonight’s game against the Chicago Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds called up Tony Cingrani to make a start in the place of disabled ace Johnny Cueto. Henry Rodriguez was sent down to Louisville to make room on the active roster.