Press Clippings May 16, 2015

THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1998-Reds Mike Remlinger, Scott Sullivan, Mark Hutton and Stan Belinda, produce 17 in a nine-inning game against the Cubs, for the first time in history.

MLB.COM Early deficit too much for Reds to overcome By Mark Sheldon and Andy Call / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- The Giants hit two home runs, including one from Brandon Belt during his four-RBI night, to boost in a 10-2 win over the Reds on Friday night.

As Reds starter Jason Marquis struggled from the get-go, Belt quickly made it a 3-0 game in the first inning with his three-run homer to right field on a first pitch. made it 5-1 with his two-run homer to left field in the third inning. Marquis lasted only three innings in the loss and allowed six earned runs and seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

"I'm proud of the guys," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, whose team came into Friday having scored the second-fewest runs in the National League. "They showed they can break out of it, put some big runs on the board and have some big innings." Bumgarner finished with two earned runs on eight hits over his seven innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out four.

"That [lead] gives you the freedom to attack guys a little more," said Bumgarner, who passed 1,000 innings pitched in his career.

The Reds hit two homers as well, but both were solo shots. Zack Cozart hit a one-out homer to left field in the bottom of the first. Two batters later, Todd Frazier hit a two-out double before Bumgarner retired the next seven batters in a row and 12 of 14. With two outs in the fifth, on an 0-2 pitch, Billy Hamilton hit a homer to left field to make it a 6-2 game.

"It was a challenge to get back in the ballgame against Bumgarner," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He had good stuff. It was kind of as expected. It just wasn't our best ballgame."

San Francisco added three more runs in the seventh inning against Michael Lorenzen, including Belt's RBI double to right field that scored Angel Pagan.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Belted: Belt gave the Giants the lead in the first inning with his first home run of the season, a two-out, three-run blast that nearly left the park. The ball was caught by fans on the upper concourse near the party deck over the Giants' bullpen, just inside the right- field foul pole, traveling a projected 421 feet by Statcast™.

Shortstop power: Cozart got a run back for the Reds in the bottom of the first by sending Bumgarner's 0-1 pitch into the first row of seats in left field. It gave him six home runs on the season, which leads National League shortstops. In his last 28 games since a 1- for-12 start to the season, Cozart is batting .347 and .321 overall.

"I've never seen him [hit] like this," Price said. "Towards the end of 2013 he was starting to hir the ball really well to right field and struggled with it last year. He's back at it, not just base hits in front of the right fielder but gap shots to right-center and really driving the ball and staying to the middle of the field when he gets a pitch elevated or something off-speed, he's able to pull it out of the ballpark.

Three-peat: San Francisco put the game on ice with three consecutive two-out hits in the seventh -- an RBI double by Belt, Justin Maxwell's run-scoring double up the third-base line and Brandon Crawford's RBI single to left. All three hits came off Lorenzen and widened a 6-2 gap to 9-2.

FIRE IN SMOKESTACKS During the top of the sixth inning, one of the Great American Ball Park smokestacks in right-center field malfunctioned and caught fire, causing a section of seats to be evacuated as the game continued without interruption. There were no injuries reported. During the top of the seventh inning, the Cincinnati Fire Department used ladders to reach the blaze and put it out as 39,867 fans in attendance cheered. The Reds later revealed that failed propane line caused the blaze.

"I've seen some weird things -- the lights shutting off one time and some other funky stuff," Price said. "I don't think I've ever seen a smokestack on fire in the middle of a ballgame. I guess they handled it OK. Obviously, it wasn't a huge concern for safety or I'm sure they would have done something differently."

WHAT'S NEXT Giants: The four-game series in Cincinnati continues Saturday at 4:10 p.m. PT. Three-time All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence is expected to be activated from the disabled list and be in the Giants' lineup. That is good news for San Francisco starter Ryan Vogelsong, who has allowed just one earned run over his two most recent starts.

Reds: Mike Leake will get the start for Cincinnati at 7:10 p.m. ET as he tries to continue a strong run of recent pitching. Leake has given up only one earned run in 22 innings over his last three starts. In his last six starts vs. the Giants, he is 5-1 with a 1.91 ERA.

Fire extinguished at Great American Ball Park No injuries reported after fire breaks out in outfield smokestacks during Friday's game By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

CINCINNATI -- A potentially hazardous situation was averted on Friday night at Great American Ball Park when one of the stadium's outfield smokestacks caught fire during the Reds' 10-2 loss to the Giants. It required some fans to be evacuated from their seats, but there were no injuries reported.

Called the "Power Stacks," and used to celebrate Reds home runs with fireworks and a Reds 's with flames, there was a malfunction during the top of the sixth inning. As Casey McGehee batted, flames shot from the right stack on an 0-1 pitch from Michael Lorenzen. Two batters later, Gregor Blanco was up when fireworks shot from both stacks in the midst of his at-bat.

At first, it seemed like just a glitch, until flames and smoke rose from the top of the right smokestack. The Cincinnati Fire Department was summoned to put out the blaze. A failed propane valve was the cause of the fire, according to the Reds, but a worker from Rozzi Fireworks enacted the proper procedures.

"Quite frankly, the actions of the attendant really saved us from a disaster," said Tim O'Connell, the Reds' vice president of ballpark operations. "He did a great job. He worked very diligently to take the precautionary measures and all of his training and precautions we have in place worked. We're very appreciative of the Cincinnati Fire Division."

Once the fire started, the fireworks attendant set off the fireworks from both stacks during the Blanco at-bat to clear the tubes and prevent a more serious situation.

"Since the fire was going, they blew those lines -- the other one was a precaution," O'Connell said.

Play was halted just briefly during the sixth inning while manager Bryan Price conferred with the umpires.

"We had an understanding from upstairs of what was going on and why the smokestack was engaging and shooting off fireworks," Price said. "Initially, that was our concern, that they were randomly going off. We got the explanation and I talked with the umpires. They said if the fireworks go off before a pitch, they would kill the play. The first two times it happened, the Giants were hitting and they went off mid-pitch, which I'm sure startled the hitters."

As smoke billowed while play continued, the smell of burning plastic was evident as the decorative bats at the top of the smokestack burned. Fans from two sections of seats were cleared from the area near the smokestacks.

"There was no threat to anyone in the ballpark," O'Connell said. "We quite frankly cleared those sections because [the fire department] was concerned that they were going to get the fans sprayed with water."

Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton was a little concerned as he manned his position, which was closest to the smokestacks.

"Whenever it started doing the fire thing, it was shaking and everything like it was going to blow up or something," Hamilton said. "I wanted to be no part of that."

By the top of the seventh inning, firefighters using large ladders to get above the stack had the blaze under control. The Reds appeared to have a sense of humor about the incident. Between innings music included "We Didn't Start the Fire," by Billy Joel.

"That was a wild night," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "I felt sorry for the guy who had go up there on that ladder. I was hoping we wouldn't see him going to the moon. You wouldn't want to be the one to put your head down there and look down that chimney."

Marquis seeks improvement after tough outing Right-hander allows six runs over three innings in loss to Giants By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

CINCINNATI -- At some point, both Michael Lorenzen and could be getting more starts in the Reds rotation. For veteran Jason Marquis, too many rough outings like Friday's against the Giants and one could envision that future starts for those rookies could come at his expense.

Marquis did not look good from the very beginning of the Reds' 10-2 loss to the Giants. He lasted a season-low three innings and allowed six earned runs on seven hits, including two home runs.

"I'm just not very good right now," said Marquis, who walked two and struck out four. "I'm not able to make consistent pitches like I want. Obviously, they're squaring balls up a little better than I hoped. Whether it's bad location or not, as much life on the ball I would like, I've got to figure out something here quick because it's not fun."

Marquis fell to 3-3 with a 6.63 ERA in his seven starts and has allowed nine home runs, including five in his last two starts. In his back-to-back losses, he's also given up 11 earned runs and 17 hits.

The San Francisco first inning began with a leadoff walk to Gregor Blanco and 's single. With two outs, a first pitch to Brandon Belt was launched a projected 421 feet by Statcast™ to right field for a three-run homer.

"It was a sinker, in," Marquis said. "[Catcher Brayan] Pena said it was pretty decent in. He just got the barrel to it and was able to keep it fair and not hook. He was able to stay inside the ball a little better than we anticipated."

The Giants notched four hits in the third inning, including Buster Posey's two-run homer to left field. There was also a walk and a drive to the center-field warning track that was caught.

Reds manager Bryan Price feels Marquis has been making location mistakes lately and getting behind in counts. He also said his sinker and changeup haven't been as effective.

"They've been tumbling out of his hand a little bit early," Price said. "He's missing with the changeup that's staying on the arm side, away to lefties and in to right-handers. The fastball command of the bottom of the zone and working ahead hasn't been as consistent as it was earlier.

"I know he's working hard on it. I tried to make an adjustment with his mechanics between starts … just to stay back and give himself time to gather and get out in front with his stuff. He just wasn't able to find it today."

Reds hoping Mattheus provides boost to 'pen Right-hander claimed by Cincinnati off waivers from Angels Wednesday By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

CINCINNATI -- It's certainly been a whirlwind week for the newest member of the Reds pitching staff, reliever Ryan Mattheus. Last Saturday, Mattheus made his return to the Major Leagues with a scoreless inning of work for the Angels. By Monday, he was designated for assignment.

The Reds claimed the right-handed Mattheus off waivers on Wednesday and he arrived just before game time on Thursday evening. He was excited to have a chance in Cincinnati.

"It was a quick turnaround, but it was a very nice phone call to find out I had a big league job coming over here to this franchise," Mattheus said on Friday afternoon. "It's a good team. I've played against a lot of these guys in the past."

Mattheus made his Reds debut in Friday night's 10-2 loss to the Giants, pitching the eighth inning and allowing a run on two hits with one strikeout.

Cincinnati's bullpen has had turbulent performances much of this season and is looking for stability. "At this point in time, I would have no problem pitching him in almost any environment," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "I would like him to get his feet wet here and introduced to our club in a less stressful situation, but this guy is a big leaguer. He's been very successful on a good team, so I don't have any apprehension bringing him in a close game late, if that's what the situation calls for."

Mattheus spent 2011-14 with the Nationals, where he had a mix of success and struggles. The stronger half of his tenure came in 2011-12, when he had a 2.84 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 101 games. In 2013-14, he had a 5.32 ERA in 44 games.

The line of demarcation was created, in part, by injuries.

"That's the biggest thing. When I'm healthy, I know I can get guys out in the big leagues," Mattheus said. "I've had just a few quirk injuries the last couple of years and then the big one, the self-inflicted injury when I slammed a glove into a locker in 2013."

The self-inflicted injury came following a poor performance against the Padres on May 19, 2013, when Mattheus sustained a fractured pitching hand.

"That one kind of has changed the path of my career a little bit," he added. "I feel like I'm back throwing the ball the way I know I can and back to the way I was when I was successful in Washington."

The Angels signed Mattheus to a Minor League contract in the offseason. He was 0-2 with 2.84 ERA in 11 appearances for Triple-A Salt Lake. He felt that he learned from hitting his locker after paying a big price, but hopes he has finally earned his way back to the big leagues long term.

"It was something where I just lost my emotions," Mattheus said. "It was a tough game that I had that day. I made a bad mistake. I definitely won't let it happen again. I'm a guy that tries to pitch with some emotion. I take this very serious. I'm passionate when I'm out there but it will never boil over to that point again."

Leake looks to continue hot stretch vs. Giants By Andy Call / MLB.com

The expected return of Hunter Pence to the San Francisco lineup Saturday is welcome news for the Giants and their fans, less so for Mike Leake.

Leake (2-1, 2.36 ERA) will start for Cincinnati against the Giants on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET. The right-hander has allowed just one earned run over 22 innings during his last three starts.

However, Leake hasn't had to face Pence, who has a career .379 average (11-for-29) against him with two doubles, a triple, and a home run.

San Francisco's three-time All-Star right fielder has been on the disabled list all season with a fractured left arm after being hit by a pitch during Spring Training. He is expected to be activated in time for Saturday's game after having finished an injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Sacramento.

Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong (1-2, 5.67) will be among those welcoming Pence back to the clubhouse.

Vogelsong, like Leake, has been pitching well recently. He made what he called "some pretty major" adjustments following a forgettable April 29 start in Los Angeles when he gave up six runs, and four home runs in a 7-3 loss to the Dodgers. Those adjustments seemed to have the desired effect, as Vogelsong has allowed just one earned run over 14 innings during his two most recent starts.

Vogelsong has faced the Reds 17 times in his career, 10 as a starter.

"They know me well, and I know them well," Vogelsong said. "It'll just be a matter of me making quality pitches."

Things to know about this game

• Reds right fielder Jay Bruce is expected back in the starting lineup after he was out against lefty Madison Bumgarner on Friday. Against Vogelsong, Bruce is 7-for-19 (.368) lifetime with one home run. Brandon Phillips is 9-for-21 (.429) against Vogelsong.

• Leake is 5-1, with a 3.83 ERA against the Giants in his career despite San Francisco batters hitting .310 against him.

• San Francisco enters Saturday's game having stranded 279 baserunners this season, most in the Major Leagues.

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Fire makes news as Reds fall to Giants 10-2 By Tom Groeschen / Cincinnati Enquirer

Billy Hamilton thought the smokestack was going to blow up.

That is how scary things became during Friday night's Reds-Giant game, when a a fire broke out in one of the two PNC Power Stacks above right-center field during a 10-2 Cincinnati loss.

The fire was extinguished with no apparent injuries, but it quickly became headline news via social media and the Internet. A near- sellout crowd of 39,867 watched on Star Wars Night at the riverfront ball diamond, with the fire certain to be the most remembered event of the evening.

Reds center fielder Hamilton was not far from the scene of the flames, which began around the sixth inning with the Reds down 6-2. From his spot in center field, Hamilton could not only see but feel trouble.

"It was shaking and everything," Hamilton said of the flaming smokestack. "I was wondering why those people (fans) were there as long as they were. It was shaking and I thought it was going to blow up or something. I wanted no part of that."

Cincinnati fire crews brought ladders to the top of the structure and extinguished the blaze after several minutes, but not before some nervous moments for those nearby. Fans were temporarily evacuated from the area.

Hamilton tried to keep his game face on.

"You play in front of 30,000 fans, it's the same thing, they're going to be yelling at you and doing all that type of stuff," Hamilton said. "You've just got to be able to stay focused."

The twin smokestacks usually shoot flames when a Reds pitcher strikes out an opposing batter, and they also pop fireworks when a Red hits a home run.

Friday, the smokestacks started blazing at the wrong time. Giants batter Casey McGehee temporarily stepped out of the box when the first flames appeared, then stepped back in.

Fireworks then popped out, again at the wrong time. Then, full-fledged flames again burst out of the right smokestack, the right being as viewed from behind home plate.

All the while, the game continued.

Reds manager Bryan Price said the teams were kept informed of what was happening.

"We had a plane on fire one time when we were traveling from New York to Seattle, but I don't think I've ever seen a smokestack on fire in the middle of a ballgame," Price said. "But I guess they handled it OK. Obviously it wasn't a huge concern for safety or I'm sure they would have done something differently."

Thick black smoke billowed from the stack until firefighters were able to contain the blaze. Spectators were temporarily cleared from the seats in the immediate area, then were permitted to return to their seats after the fire was put out.

"That was a weird night there," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "I felt sorry for the guy who had to go up there on a ladder. That's not a job I wanted. A scary moment for someone to go out there and actually look down that chimney."

Price said there were obviously some distractions as smoke began to drift down onto the field, with the Giants batting at the time.

"We had an understanding from upstairs of what was going on," Price said. "Initially that was our concern, the fact that (the fireworks) were randomly going off. The first two times it happened the Giants were hitting and they were going off mid-pitch, which I'm sure startled the hitters. We were going to be playing through it and handle it was best we could."

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt, who hit a three-run homer to get the Giants rolling in the first inning, on the fire:

"It was a little odd. I think it was probably more frustrating for the people batting. It was a little weird."

The Reds fell behind quickly on the three-run bolt by Belt, a 422-foot shot off of loser Jason Marquis (3-3). A Zack Cozart homer brought the Reds within 3-1 in the first inning, but then Buster Posey hit a two-run homer to put San Francisco ahead 5-1. McGehee singled in another run to make it 6-1 in the third inning.

Hamilton homered to bring the Reds within 6-2 in the fifth inning. The Giants tallied three more runs in the seventh inning against reliever Michael Lorenzen, making it 9-2. New Reds reliever Ryan Mattheus made his Cincinnati debut in the eighth inning and allowed another run, making the score 10-2.

Marquis lasted only three innings. Madison Bumgarner (4-2) started for the Giants and pitched seven innings.

"Location mistakes, behind in the count," Price said of Marquis. "When he's really good he's down in the zone and attacking the zone. The fastball command at the bottom of the zone and working ahead hasn't been as consistent as it was earlier. I've tried to make an adjustment with his mechanics between starts ... he just wasn't able to find it today."

Marquis, pelted for six runs and seven hits, was pulled after just three innings.

"Just not very good right now," Marquis said. "Not able to make consistent pitches like I want. Obviously they're squaring balls up a little better than I hoped. Whether it's bad location, not as much life on the ball as I would like, I've got to figure out something here quick because it's not fun."

Marquis now has a 6.63 ERA this season.

Burke Badenhop and his 11.17 ERA replaced Marquis, but Badenhop held the Giants scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings.

Michael Lorenzen, temporarily pitching from the bullpen, relieved Badenhop for the sixth inning.

Hamilton homered to left off of Bumgarner in the fifth inning, which brought the Reds within four runs at 6-2.

The Reds were denied their fourth consecutive win, which would have tied a season high. The Reds went 4-0 to start the season.

Bumgarner entered with a 2-3 lifetime record and 4.66 ERA against the Reds.

Right-hander Marquis took the mound having had success against the Giants, with a 7-5 lifetime record and 2.95 ERA.

The Reds fell back to .500 at 18-18, and are truly about as average as a team can be. Entering Friday, the Reds had scored 141 runs and also had allowed 141 runs.

Struggling Bruce gets night off for Reds By Tom Groeschen / Cincinnati Enquirer

Jay Bruce has been struggling mightily at the plate, and he took a seat Friday night with Kristopher Negron starting in right field for the Reds.

The left-handed swinging Bruce entered the night 2-for-17 lifetime (.118) against Giants ace lefty Madison Bumgarner, the 2014 MVP.

Bruce overall is batting a nearly invisible .162, with no RBI since last Saturday and no homers since April 29. Bruce is hitting .133 in May (6-for-45) with three RBI. Overall, Bruce has five homers and 16 RBI for the year.

"It hasn't been fun for me this year, but it's a long season," Bruce said before Friday's game. "There are no excuses. Just continuing to work hard and put myself into position to have success… It's like getting punched in the nose every day."

Bruce said he tries to keep perspective, having 400-plus at-bats remaining this year. He said he is looking at video and coming in with a plan every day.

"I feel in control of my at-bats," he said. "I've been walking pretty consistently. Just got to keep going."

Bruce has 18 walks and 39 strikeouts. His on-base percentage is .272, his slugging percentage .333. Entering the year, Bruce had a slugging percentage of .467.

Does sitting out ever help? Bruce recalled that former Reds manager Dusty Baker occasionally gave him a breather.

"Dusty used to kind of give me those mental clarity days from time to time," Bruce said. "There could be something to it. I've never really even stopped to think about it. I'll be ready to go in if I need to."

Reds manager Bryan Price said he was simply giving Bruce a day off.

"I have to find my days, too, for the other guys," Price said. "Hoping to get (Brennan) Boesch in this series too, get him a start. I have to pick my times for these guys and sometimes if it's a tougher matchup, then I'll do that. It's nothing to read into as far as anything other than a day off, against a tough lefty."

Bruce has blown hot and cold throughout his career, often with no middle ground. What now?

"Maybe it's just having to have that big night," Price said. "I think sometimes this game is such a mental and emotional beatdown when you struggle, it really is. He's accountable. He knows that he's a big piece to our ballclub and when he's not performing to the level of his history, he knows we're not as good a team.

"He would be the type of guy that would be beating himself up about not hitting better than he has. He's crushed a few balls here in the last week to the wall. Love to see one of those games, hit a homer and a double, drive in five and just keep it going.

"For all the work he's put in, I think he just needs a couple of days of positive results to get back on top of his game again."

Calling Dr. Feelgood: Phillips back in lineup By Tom Groeschen / Cincinnati Enquirer

Second baseman Brandon Phillips returned to the Reds lineup Friday night, after missing two games with a sprained left big toe.

"I'm going to see what happens," Phillips said before the game. "If it doesn't feel right, then I'm going to be quick to pull myself out real quick. I don't want to give us a handicap out there. If I can't do my job, I'll make sure that I man up (and come out)."

Phillips is known as a gamer, having played through injuries several times in his career.

"I love being on the field regardless if I'm 100 percent or not," Phillips said. "I feel like that I'm pretty good enough to really find a way to get it done. Hopefully I can do that."

Phillips was asked if his toe injury might be something that lingered, or if the worst was over.

"I don't know, I'm not a doctor," he replied, then smiled. "I'm Dr. Feelgood off the field, but other than that, I don't know what's up with the foot. I'm just going to go out there and see what happens.

"Everybody that watches me hit, I load off my front foot and that's where it's at, off my toe. I use my toes to go through the ball."

Reds manager Bryan Price said Phillips is better after 48 hours of recovery time. Phillips will be playing with "some inserts" in his shoes, Price said.

"He's had a lot of treatment, he's been seen by foot specialists and all those things," Price said. "When it comes down to it, we're not going to force our players to play. We have to make sure that they're comfortable being on the field."

Being 35 games into the season, nicks and bruises are accumulating for teams.

"Most of them if not all of them are slightly banged up anyway," Price said. "It's part of the grind of a long season. And because of (Phillips') history, he's played through two significant wrist and hand issues over the last two years, he wants to be on the field.

"If he says he needs a day, there's no doubt he needs a day. I think he could have played yesterday. I just wanted to give him one more day."

Mesoraco hoping to catch for Reds again next week By Tom Groeschen / Cincinnati Enquirer

Reds fans have grown impatient with the Devin Mesoraco saga, but the 2014 All-Star catcher believes he may be closer than ever to actually catching again.

Mesoraco, unable to catch since April 12 because of a left hip impingement, hopes to try catching a bullpen session sometime during next week's road trip to Kansas City and Cleveland.

"When we're on the road I'll start working on some catching drills and see how everything goes," Mesoraco said Friday.

Mesoraco is feeling better than he has in some time.

"The way that it feels right now, I don't see any reason why I won't be able to catch," he said. "I haven't done it, so I don't know. I'm expecting to be able to catch."

And if he cannot catch, is season-ending surgery on the horizon?

"If I can't, then at that point, it's been a little over a month and chances are it's not going to get a whole ton better," Mesoraco said. "Then we'll talk about (surgery) if that comes to a head."

Mesoraco has been limited to pinch hitting and designated hitting (in American League parks) for over a month. Rest and treatment seem to have helped, he said.

"At this point I fully expect to be able to catch," Mesoraco said. "No doubt about that. The stuff we've done has definitely helped. I'm feeling pretty good."

Mattheus could be late-inning option, Price says By Tom Groeschen / Cincinnati Enquirer

Right-hander Ryan Mattheus, picked up on waivers Wednesday from the Angels, could be an occasional late-inning option in the Reds bullpen.

"I will be comfortable putting him in any environment at this point in time," Reds manager Bryan Price said Friday. "I think we need to get him settled in. I'd love to be able to give him some of those mid-inning opportunities. If our starting pitching goes well, there's hopefully not going to be a lot of those situations."

Price hopes to first get Mattheus first into a less stressful situation, but would not hesitate to use him in a tight game.

"This guy's a big leaguer," Price said. "He's been very successful on good teams. I don't have any apprehension of bringing him into a close game, late, if that's what the situation calls for."

Mattheus, 31, made one appearance for the Angels this year (one inning, one walk, two strikeouts) and pitched in 11 games for Triple-A Salt Lake, going 0-2 with a 2.84 ERA.

Mattheus pitched for the for parts of the 2011-14 seasons, with a 7-7 record, 3.58 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.

"I haven't been told exactly what my role is," Mattheus said. "I've done pretty much any role in the bullpen except for closer, and we've got that here. I've pitched multiple innings, I've pitched one inning. Whenever the phone rings, I'm going to be ready to take the ball."

SHORT HOPS: The Reds on Friday were seeking their fourth consecutive win, which would tie the season high. The Reds went 4-0 to start the season.

- Marlon Byrd entered Friday leading the National League in slugging percentage (.895) and walks (13) in May. He was also tied for second in the NL in homers (6) and RBI (14) for the month.

- Thursday night's appearance was the 1,000th of Jay Bruce's career.

FOXSPORTSOHIO.COM

Smokestack at Great American Ball Park catches fire during Reds game By Kevin Goheen / FoxSportsOhio.com

CINCINNATI — The Reds had a Fire and Police Appreciation Night at Great American Ball Park this past Monday. Friday night they truly had appreciation.

The Cincinnati Fire Department had to be called to GABP during the Reds' game against the after a propane valve in one of the riverboat replica smokestacks in right-center field malfunctioned and caused a portion of the plastic top of the smokestack to catch fire. There were no injuries from the incident, which was contained initially by the smokestack operator and then eventually put out by the fire department.

Two sections of seats were evacuated as a precaution during the incident, which began in the top of the sixth inning of San Francisco's 10-2 win against the Reds.

GABP Vice President of Ballpark Operations Tim O'Connell praised the smokestack attendant, who works for Rozzi's Famous Fireworks, for initially handling the situation and preventing further damage or incident.

"The actions of the attendant saved us from a disaster," said O'Connell. "He did a great job. He worked very diligently to take the precautionary measures and all of his training and all of the precautions that we have in place worked. We're very appreciative of the Cincinnati Fire Division. We have fire personnel on the scene at every one of our games. They responded immediately and we felt it was necessary to bring in the fire companies to put out the remaining fire."

The power stacks began to malfunction in the top of the sixth inning as Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen was pitching to San Francisco third baseman Casey McGehee. Propane is ignited to produce flames out of the two stacks after a Cincinnati pitcher strikes out an opposing batter. This time the flames and smoke began after two strikes.

Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton said he saw the smokestacks shaking when the situation first began.

"I don't want to deal with fires and the way it was shaking," said Hamilton. "It was shaking like it was going to blow up or something like that. I don't want to be no part of that."

San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy called it a "weird" night. He joined in with everyone else who praised the work of all of those who contained and put out the fire.

"I felt sorry for the guy who had to go up there on a ladder," said Bochy. "That's not a job I wanted. A scary moment for someone to go out there and actually look down that chimney."

O'Connell said because of the actions of the attendant, no one in the park was in danger. Part of that precautionary procedure is to blow out the propane from the adjacent stack. GABP officials and the CFD consulted with the umpiring crew and recommended the game be played without stoppage even though a plastic portion of one stack was burning.

Firefighters used a ladder to reach the fire and put it out safely.

"I've seen some weird things; the light shutting off one time, some other funky stuff. We had a plane on fire one time when we were traveling from New York to Seattle but I don't think I've ever seen a smokestack on fire in the middle of a ball game," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "I guess they handled it OK. Obviously it wasn't a huge concern for safety or they would have done something differently."

The Giants actually scored three runs in the seventh inning off of Lorenzen to increase their lead to 9-2 as personnel were dealing with the fire.

O'Connell said the smokestacks will remain offline for the next couple of days while an investigation into why the valve malfunctioned takes place.

"We'll work with the fire department, Rozzi's and our own folks to make sure that we have everything in place before we set that back into operation," said O'Connell. "Everything is out of it. The system is turned off and they're out of commision until we get everything fixed and in all likelihood do some upgrades there."

Reds' Bruce searching for answers to early season struggles By Hal McCoy / FoxSportsOhio.com

CINCINNATI -- A Gary Allan country song, "Every Storm Runs Out of Rain" keeps playing over and over and over in Jay Bruce's head.

Right now, the Cincinnati Reds right fielder is standing in a tsunami wondering if he'll ever dry out.

His batting average is .162. He has 19 hits and 39 strikeouts. There is no umbrella under which he can hide when he stands in the batter's box.

Fans are restless, wondering if Timbuktu has a minor-league team for Bruce. Nobody, though, is more restless than Bruce. Nobody is more frustrated than Bruce. Nobody wants this drenching nightmare to end more than he does.

He comes to work every day with the attitude, "This is the day." He does work. He watches video. He prepares. So far, though, it hasn't clicked. One of those periods where pitchers can't get him out hasn't happened.

Yet.

"I know people are frustrated and I know people are not having a good time watching me," he said. "But the expectations I put on myself are bigger than anybody's. I care. I work my tail off every day. I listen to what the coaches say and I watch video. I go as intricate as you can get and as remedial as you can get trying to figure it out."

The thing is, Bruce has studied video from 2008, 2009, 2010 -- all the good times -- and he doesn't see anything different or blatantly amiss. He sees no hitches in his swing, no significant changes. "It's the same," he says, "It is all the same.

"I feel good, I really do. I don't feel like I'm lost up there," he said. "In years past I'd go through a month's stretch where I looked terrible and I swung at everything. I don't feel like that's the case. I don't know what it looks like to the observer or the onlooker, but it looks the same to me.

"I'm using the whole field more than I ever have," he said. "My Achilles heel that everyone always talks about was pulling the ball too much. I'm hitting the ball to center field and left field more than I ever have."

Bruce is only 28 and went four straight years with 30 or more home runs and 97 ore more home runs. The numbers were down last year -- .211, 18 homers, 68 RBI, but he played most of the year with a bad knee and couldn't turn on the ball.

"It's not fun," he said. "It's not fun for the people watching and it's not fun you guys -- you don't want to write about struggles. It's part of the game."

Bruce nearly hit a grand slam against the San Francisco Giants Thursday night, but it was caught at the wall and Bruce said, "That's about four or five of those this year."

Manager Bryan Price has the confidence to keep scribbling his name in the lineup and has confidence the rain will stop in Bruce's life and another Gary Allan song will surface, "We Touched the Sun."

Said Price, "Maybe it is just him having one big night -- a double, a home run, drive in five. This game is such a mental and emotional beatdown when you struggle. He is accountable. He knows he is a big piece to our team and when he is not performing to the level of his history, he knows we are not as good of a team without his top performance.

"I'm sure he is beating himself up about not hitting better," Price added. "He has crushed a few balls in the last week to the walls. A grand slam would have been a difference-maker. Then he might keep it going. He just needs a couple of days with positive results to get back on top of his game."

Bruce agrees with his manager and just keeps working and searching, searching and working.

"There is always this time of year for me," he said. "But this year I feel in control of the bat, I'm not chasing everything. I have 18 walks. I'm not hitting balls on the grounds like last year when I had a crazy about of balls on the ground. I couldn't use my legs. But now I'm healthy, I feel good. I know everybody gets tired of looking at my down points, the low points of my career. There is not a chance in hell all of a sudden I can't do it any more."

How about one more Gary Allan song: "Life Ain't Always Beautiful." That's the way Bruce feels know, but he promises some pitchers are going to pay heavily in the near future.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Smokestack at GABP catches fire during Giants-Reds game By Joe Kay / The Associated Press

CINCINNATI — One of the fireworks smokestacks at Great American Ball Park caught fire and spewed dark smoke for an inning on Friday night until firefighters extinguished it during a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds.

The game continued uninterrupted and the Giants won 10-2. Fans in two sections by the smokestacks were cleared out while firefighters extended a ladder from outside the ballpark and sprayed the fire.

Two riverboat smokestacks shoot celebratory flames and fireworks during games. They inadvertently shot flames, then some fireworks, with the Giants at bat in the top of the sixth inning.

A flame continued to flicker from the top of one of the smokestacks, giving off a dark smoke that drifted across the outfield as the game continued.

Marquis hit hard in only 3 innings, Reds lose to Giants 10-2 By Joe Kay / The Associated Press

CINCINNATI — Jason Marquis lasted only three innings. One of the home run smokestacks caught fire and burned away for an inning until the fire department sprayed it out.

Nothing went right for Cincinnati.

Brandon Belt hit a three-run homer, and Buster Posey added a two-run shot off Marquis on Friday night, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 10-2 victory over the Reds in a game played uninterrupted while an outfield smokestack burned for an inning.

"I've seen some weird things like all the lights going off, but I've never seen smokestacks on fire," manager Bryan Price said.

One of the two riverboat smokestacks that shoot off celebratory flames and fireworks caught fire in the top of the sixth because of a malfunctioning propane valve. Flames shot from the top of the smokestack for an inning, spewing dark smoke, until firefighters extended a ladder from outside the ballpark and sprayed it.

Fans in two outfield sections by the smokestacks were evacuated while the fire was extinguished. "Those guys did a great job," Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton said. "I didn't want to be out there anywhere near it. I tried to get away from it as quick as I could."

San Francisco's struggling offense piled up a season high in runs. Belt and Posey homered off Marquis (3-3), who lasted a season- low three innings while allowing a season-high six runs. Belt also had an RBI double among his three hits and scored three times.

"I'm just not very good right now," Marquis said. "I can't throw pitches consistently like I want to. I'd better figure something out quick. This is not fun."

Left-hander Madison Bumgarner (4-2) gave up eight hits in seven innings, including solo homers by Zack Cozart and Billy Hamilton. After getting off to a slow start this season, the World Series MVP has gone 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA in his last five starts. The teams have split the first two games in their series. San Francisco won at Great American for only the fourth time in its last 16 regular-season games.

One of the NL's worst offenses hopes to get a boost when outfielder Hunter Pence rejoins the Giants on Saturday. Pence's left forearm was broken by a pitch from the Cubs' Corey Black on March 5. He went 5 for 17 with two homers in five games on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento.

The Giants' Joe Panik extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games with a single in the first inning. Belt's first homer of the season made it 3-0.

Posey connected in the third, the ninth homer allowed by Marquis, the most on the Reds' staff.

BAD ONES BACK-TO-BACK

In his last two starts, Marquis has given up 11 runs, 17 hits and five homers in 8 2/3 innings.

MATTHEUS' DEBUT Reliever Ryan Mattheus, acquired by the Reds off waivers from the Angels this week, made his Cincinnati debut and gave up two hits and a run in one inning.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Giants: RHP threw 30 fastballs in the bullpen without problem. He's expected to throw again on Tuesday. Cain has been sidelined by a strained tendon in his pitching forearm.

Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips was back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left big toe. He got an insert for the shoe to help protect the toe and moved carefully in the field.

UP NEXT

Giants: Ryan Vogelsong is 2-0 with a 4.18 ERA at Great American Ball Park in three starts and four relief appearances.

Reds: Mike Leake is 5-1 in seven career starts against the Giants with a 3.83 ERA.

TRANSACTIONS Date Transaction 05/16/15 Arizona Diamondbacks activated RHP Archie Bradley from the 15-day disabled list. Arizona Diamondbacks optioned Vidal Nuno to Reno Aces. 05/15/15 New York Yankees recalled Jose Ramirez from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. sent RHP Brooks Brown on a rehab assignment to Albuquerque Isotopes. Washington Nationals placed RHP Doug Fister on the 15-day disabled list. Right forearm tightness. Washington Nationals recalled RHP A.J. Cole from Syracuse Chiefs. Los Angeles Dodgers activated RHP Kenley Jansen from the 15-day disabled list. Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Daniel Coulombe to Oklahoma City Dodgers. Oakland Athletics optioned LHP Sean Nolin to Nashville Sounds. sent 2B Tommy La Stella on a rehab assignment to Tennessee Smokies. Philadelphia Phillies sent Dustin McGowan outright to Lehigh Valley IronPigs. placed LF Mike Aviles on the restricted list. Baltimore Orioles sent SS Everth Cabrera on a rehab assignment to Norfolk Tides. Philadelphia Phillies recalled Maikel Franco from Lehigh Valley IronPigs. New York Yankees placed RHP Chase Whitley on the 15-day disabled list. right elbow strain San Francisco Giants signed free agent RHP Edwin Quirarte to a minor league contract. Chicago White Sox recalled Carlos Sanchez from Charlotte Knights. Toronto Blue Jays sent Jonathan Diaz outright to Buffalo Bisons. Houston Astros traded SS Ronald Torreyes to Toronto Blue Jays for cash. Minnesota Twins signed free agent 3B Ryan Wheeler to a minor league contract. activated LHP Antonio Bastardo from the restricted list. Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Bobby LaFromboise to Indianapolis Indians. St. Louis Cardinals sent LHP Jaime Garcia on a rehab assignment to Springfield Cardinals. Cleveland Indians sent C Yan Gomes on a rehab assignment to Lake County Captains. Cleveland Indians sent LHP TJ House on a rehab assignment to Lake County Captains. Tampa Bay Rays optioned Matt Andriese to Durham Bulls. Tampa Bay Rays activated LHP Jake McGee from the 15-day disabled list. Colorado Rockies sent RHP LaTroy Hawkins on a rehab assignment to Albuquerque Isotopes. Toronto Blue Jays optioned Ronald Torreyes to New Hampshire Fisher Cats.