Just arrived at Camelback ranch where the Dodgers will be hosting the Reds in a few minutes.

The Red Hot Mama crew woke up at 3:30am after a very relaxing 4 hours of sleep to head to the airport and catch a flight to Phoenix, Arizona.

Now, we’re sitting in our hotel room, thanks to being able to check in super-early, getting ready to go see our first baseball game of 2010. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re quite excited. Especially since Aroldis Chapman is supposed to pitch today against the Dodgers. If his stuff is as good as his smile, he could make things very interesting for the Reds.

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.