Spring Training Game Wrap: Reds 2 Giants 1

 Alex Wood LHP had another strong spring start but the Giants bats remained quiet in a low scoring loss. Watched this one on TV.

Wood pitched into the 4'th inning can finally came out as his pitch count crept toward 45.  He now has 6 K's againts 0 BB's in 5.2 shutout IP in 2 spring starts.  Overall, pitchers projected to be in the Opening Day starting rotation are sporting a combined 1.08 ERA with 21 K's and 4 BB's in 16.1 IP.

Pitching prospect Nick Avila RHP came in to get the last out of the 4'th inning in relief of Alex Wood.  Avila has impressively long limbs and showed a nice FB/Curve combo out of an over-the-top delivery.  FB hit 96 MPH per Kruk and Flem.

Jake McGee LHP pitched his second scoreless frame of the spring.  Perhaps more importantly he broke off several sharp looking sliders.  If he can add a credible slider to his FB he could have an amazing season.

Tyler Rogers RHP got BABIP'd for both Reds runs in the 6'th inning without recording an out.  Rogers induces a lot of soft contact but sometimes it's too soft and those swinging bunts cause chaos.  

Pitching Prospect Taylor Rashi RHP relieved Rogers with the bases loaded, no outs and 2 runs in.  He struck out the first batter he faced and got the second to GIDP.  Fire extinguished!

Jakob Junis RHP made his spring debut after after signing late.  He threw several sliders with Romoesque breaks.  The way the hitters reacted made you think he may have a "no-dot" slide piece like Romo.  The tremendous break drew extra attention from the substance police at the end of the inning.

Speaking of substances, Kruk and Flem went on and on about the new policy of the umps checking pitchers hands.  Apparently after an initial sharp decline in spin rates after the substance checking started last year, they started to climb again indicating the pitchers found alternate places to hide the substance.  Now they are checking the pitchers hands at the end of innings which Kruk and Flem both seem to think will have a strong deterrent effect.

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Alex Cobb RHP makes his first spring start tomorrow against the Angels in Tempe, AZ