Reds Minor League Baseball Blog

The Bats got it done in the ninth inning yesterday.  Down 6-5, Kevin Barker belted a two run single to give the Bats the lead.  Luis Bolivar had a nice day at the plate and he went three for four with a double, a triple and three runs.  Chris Valaika went two for with two doubles and an RBI.

Sam LeCure was roughed up in his start and he gave up four runs on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts in five innings.  Pedro Viola walked two in a shutout inning and he improved to 1-0 while Robert Manuel got the final batter out for his first save.

The Bats held on to their lead and ended their three game skid as they took care of Indianapolis 4-3.  Danny Richar was the lone Bat with a pair of hits while Adam Rosales went one for three with a walk, a double, a run and an RBI.

Matt Maloney made the best of the Bats early lead and he improved to 2-0.  He gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.  Carlos Fisher looked very sharp with 2 2/3 shutout frames with three strikeouts and he picked up his first save of the season.

Those pesky Hens jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead and despite three late runs, the Bats couldn’t complete the comeback in their third straight loss.  Jonny Gomes tripled and drove in two of the three runs while Chris Valaika singled, doubled and scored once in the 4-3 loss.

Adam Pettyjohn was roughed up and he took the loss.  He fell to 0-1 and he gave up four runs on six hits and four walks with two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

The Bats made a nice run last year but fell short of a Governors Cup.  This year, they should be right back in the mix though with some familiar faces on the mound.  Homer Bailey, Daryl Thompson, Adam Pettyjohn and Ramon Ramirez all pitched for the Bats at some point back in 2008 and they anchor a solid rotation that should help carry the Bats in 2009.  Of course they won’t have the services of guys like Jay Bruce, but they’ll just have to make due.  Drew Stubbs is a guy to watch though.

Man, this weather is a drag.  I’m sitting on two brand new mitts and I can’t get out and work either one.  It just looks like my Rawlings baseball glove and my nokona baseball glove will have to sit in their boxes until things warm up.