Here are five things to know about the game:
Garrett Goes Five
Amir Garrett was the first Reds’ pitcher to complete five innings but he had to rally to do it.
Garrett allowed eight hits, including Hunter Renfroe’s two-run home run in the first inning. Garrett gave up a run in the third but settled in to finish with three scoreless innings.
HAL MCCOY: Time running out for rotation decisions
Garrett walked one and struck out one.
‘I felt really good about the outing,” he said. “I didn’t have all my best stuff today. I was able to limit the damage as much as I could to help my team stay in the game. I was pounding the zone really well, getting a lot of ground balls. I limited the damage as much as I could. I felt I could pitch another one but it’s spring training and get stretched out slowly.
Garrett made some good plays in the field. With runners on first and third, he fielded a bunt, checked the runner and made the play at first. Travis Jankowski hit a sacrifice fly to score the runner but the play was solid.
“It was a mixed bag. He didn’t have quite the same stuff but he had the competitiveness. We’re evaluating that too,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “He got into a second and third and he kept pumping strikes. He didn’t walk anyone. He ends up utilizing his defense. The next thing you know we make a couple of good plays and the next thing you know he gets out of the inning without giving up a run. That’s a sign of maturity.”
Stephenson strong in four innings
Robert Stephenson is starting to string good outings together. He followed his housemate with a spring-long four inning finish against the Padres on Sunday.
Stephenson allowed three hits and a walk. The only run off him was a home run by Hector Sanchez. He struck out five.
“With Robert it’s finding the best way to utilize his stuff,” Price said. “He’s developed that split as an out pitch. We want to make sure that he doesn’t rely on that split so he can’t find an out with a well located fastball or breaking ball.”
Iglesias sore
Reds reliever Raisel Iglasias had a little stiffness in his elbow. He was scheduled to pitch in a minor league game but the Reds’ decided against it.
“It is not a major concern,” Price said. “From a practical there was no reason to send him down. We decided to scrap it.”
Schebler Starting To Swing
Scott Schebler started slowly (2-for-17) .117 in his first seven games this spring but has begun to hit the ball with authority. In his last six appearances, he is hitting .500 (8-for-16), including the three-run home run Sunday off San Diego’s Andre Rienzo. Schebler also bunted for a base hit.
“It is just a matter of getting his at bats and trusting things are going to happen in a good way,” Price said. “He gets a but base hit. He absolutely smokes a ball they turn into a double play. Then he hits the home run which was a difference maker.”
Winker Wows
Winker has a history of hand injuries that have kept him from showing his natural power. The last in 2015 was the result of an auto accident.
This spring, after a subpar start in which he faced a steady diet of left-handed pitching, the 23-year old first round pick in the 2012 draft is getting his swing together.
Winker was 1-for-7 early in spring. In his last 12 games he is hitting .416 that included Sunday’s home run.
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