Last Games
Yesterday, the Cincinnati Reds split their squad to play both the Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland A’s, and they split the results.

Johnny Cueto allowed 2 runs over three innings against the Angels. The only offense for the Reds was a first-inning, run-scoring single from Joey Votto. The Reds never scored again and lost 2-1.

Against the A’s, Mike Leake started and allowed one run over two innings. Matt Klinker allowed five runs, three earned, but the offense was there to bail him out. Jonny Gomes and Yonder Alonso both hit home runs. Jay Bruce, Chris Valaika, and Devin Mesoraco each had a couple hits for the cause as the Reds won 7-6.

Next Game
The Reds host the Chicago White Sox today. Homer Bailey takes on Edwin Jackson at 3:05pm EST. Unfortunately, this game isn’t on TV or radio.

And About that Left Field Split
With the off-season signings of outfielders Fred Lewis and Jeremy Hermida, it looked like Walt Jocketty was setting the Reds and Jonny Gomes up for a platoon in left field. Dusty Baker shot down that notion yesterday.

“I never said that,” Baker said. “Gomes deserves to play most of the time. Everybody plays on my team. There will be times when Jonny’s not going to play. I explained that to him. That’s right now. Come July, August, who knows?”

It’s hard to know what to think of this. Gomes strikes me as a more-durable Ryan Freel. He’s got the crazy intensity, and while he doesn’t break down as much, he did definitely wear down as last season went along. Gomes might do better with more rest.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds have nine players on the roster that are out of options: Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, Bill Bray, Miguel Cairo, Francisco Cordero, Jonny Gomes, Fred Lewis, Nick Masset, and Brandon Phillips.

Last Game
The Cincinnati Reds rested practically all of their starters yesterday, and it showed, as the Cleveland Indians scored 12 runs to their 0. The Reds played poorly in more ways than just the offense, with the defense committing five errors, and all but two pitchers allowing runs. They certainly got their work in.

Next Game(s)
The Reds split their squad tomorrow, sending one group to face the Los Angeles Angels and the other to face the Oakland A’s. Mike Leake will start against the A’s, while Johnny Cueto will battle the Angels’ Jared Weaver. Both games start at 3:05pm EST, but the one against the Angels will be televised on the MLB Network.

Phillips Wants to Stay in Cincinnati
While Joey Votto is interested in keeping his options open, Reds second-baseman Brandon Phillips has decided he’s where he wants to be. He came out a couple days ago and had the following to say about the possibility of a contract extension.

“I want to stay here. I love it here. Love the city of Cincinnati. I love the fans. The Reds gave me a second chance to come here and live my dream. I’ve been blessed. I want to give back to the city. I want to be the type of person Barry Larkin was to the city. It would be nice to be here for the rest of my career.”

The Reds will have to evaluate the amount of increased revenue from being a winning and more entertaining team and balance that against future commitments and the possibility of saving money by using one of their touted prospects. By coming out like this, Phillips puts the onus of responsibility on the Reds. If a deal doesn’t get done, the team is more likely to look bad than him. Not that he could ever look too bad with that excellent smile of his.

Phillips’ current contract ends after this season, but there is an option for 2012 at $12 million.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Both the Indians and the Reds lost franchise heroes over the off-season, and both were honored before the game yesterday and will be throughout the season. In front of the Indians’ dugout is painted a giant 19, for Bob Feller. In front of the Reds’ dugout is a 10 for Sparky Anderson.

Last Game
Baseball’s back, and so is the brief! In the Spring Training opener against the Cleveland Indians, the Cincinnati Reds won in their traditional 2010 fashion, engineering a comeback in their last at-bat. You can relive it via my live-blogging here. Corky Miller, the mustachioed wonder, drove in the winning run to give the win to Darryl Thompson. Jose Arredondo pitched the 9th for the save. Matt Maloney, who started in place of Edinson Volquez because of his Visa issues, acquitted himself very well, going two innings, striking out two, walking none, and allowing no runs.

Next Game
Game 2 is this afternoon between the same two teams. Bronson Arroyo goes against Fausto Carmona at 3:05pm EST. The game will be broadcast on 700 WLW.

Reds Reporter Mark Sheldon’s Guide to Goodyear
If you’re planning on heading out to Goodyear to catch some Spring Training games this year, it’s helpful to have an idea of things to do, sights to see, and places to eat. Mark Sheldon prepared a good one.

Phoenix Zoo — I’ve taken my family here and we were very impressed. The animals are perky and actually do more than lay around.

Westgate — Glendale: It’s like Newport on the Levee, times 100. Lots of restaurants and bars.

Sedona — two hours away but worth the drive and bring a camera. The mountain peak views and red rocks are simply spectacular.

Raul and Theresa’s — One of the best Mexican restaurants I’ve ever been to and it’s not a chain, yet. It’s only 10 minutes from Goodyear Ballpark

In-N-Out Burger — A west coast hamburger mecca

Yogurtland, Avondale and Scottsdale — Great dessert spot with about 15-20 different yogurt flavors. It’s all self-serve and there’s around 30 toppings to choose from.

The Red Hot Family had the chance to do many of these things last year. The Newport on the Levee type place is nice with lots of variety, from stores, to restaurants, to large, courtyards. We didn’t like Raul and Theresa’s as much as the reporters seem to have, but it’s a solid Mexican place. The In-N-Out Burger we stopped at was as popular as advertised. The Crack Technical staff recommends consulting the “Secret Menu” first.

Someday, we’ll schedule a long enough trip to make it to Sedona and do some mountain hiking. It may not be until the Red Hot child is out of school, though. His spring break never coincides with spring training, and the schools do frown on pulling your kid out of school for the week during standardized testing.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds have both the reigning National League MVP award winner in Joey Votto and the World Series MVP in Edgar Renteria on their 25-man roster.