Press Clippings June 2, 2018

THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY

1921-Pat Duncan hits the first home over the fence at Redland Field. The ball strikes a startled policeman standing on York Street

MLB.COM

Mahle's strong start gets plenty of support By Jay Paris Special to MLB.com 3:03 AM ET

SAN DIEGO -- Tyler Mahle threw five scoreless , Scooter Gennett homered, Jose Peraza had three RBIs and Michael Lorenzen secured a lengthy save to give the Reds a 7-2 win in the opener of a three-game series against the Padres on Friday night at .

And it appears center fielder Billy Hamilton avoided a serious injury after crashing into the wall in the ninth in pursuit of Freddy Galvis' triple.

Mahle (4-6) had his best outing since his first one of the season on April 2. The 23-year-old right-hander gave up five hits and two walks and struck out five, snapping San Diego's three-game winning streak. A high pitch count (102) was about the only negative in his showing.

"I definitely made a lot of pitches, but I made big pitches in big situations,'' he said. "That was when I was able to locate my fastball."

Lorenzen finished off the Padres by recording a four-inning save, for his first on the season.

With the Reds' rotation in flux, interim Jim Riggleman was asked if Lorenzen might get a start.

"We hadn't thought about that. That was where he ran into some injury issues in the past. But he could probably do anything, but we're not thinking about that right now."

Peraza, who went 3-for-4, continues to be a pest deep in the lineup. He extended his hitting streak to five games, batting .476 (10- for-21) with a and four RBIs over the stretch.

His breakout came on the heels of a 2-for-27 skid that included an 0-for-18 rut. But since, he's produced at least two hits in each of his previous four games and he last struck out on May 22 against the Pirates, a string of 46 plate appearances.

"We had lots of tough at-bats tonight and Jose had some of them,'' Riggleman said.

Padres starter Walker Lockett (0-1), making his Majors debut, went 3 2/3 innings and allowed four runs, four hits and five walks.

The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the third with some old-school baseball. Instead of flexing their muscles, Cincinnati utilized the fleet feet of Hamilton.

Lockett walked Hamilton and he promptly stole second, securing his 10th bag on the year. moved Hamilton to third with a groundout to the right side. When followed suit with a groundout to Eric Hosmer, Hamilton completed his tour of the bases without a ball leaving the infield.

Cincinnati extended its lead to 4-0 with a three-run fourth inning. Eugenio Suarez led off the inning with a walk, and followed with a . Peraza a two-run double, scoring them both. Barnhart's RBI single pushed across the third run, ending Lockett's brief appearance with nine Reds reaching base against him.

In the fifth, Gennett squared up Robbie Erlin's 85 mph changeup, sending it just over the glove of a leaping Travis Jankowski in center field for his 11th and a 5-0 cushion.

The Reds got two runs (one earned) in the seventh, stretching their lead to 7-0. Peraza's third hit scored Gennett and when right fielder Hunter Renfroe uncorked an errant throw, Schebler came around, too.

HAMILTON TOUGHS IT OUT Hamilton was on the dead run in tracking Galvis' shot with two outs in the ninth. Hamilton got a glove on the ball just as he made contact with the padded fence. He was momentarily stunned and he flipped the ball back in while still on the ground.

Hamilton, who was examined by the athletic trainer, remained in the game for the final out. He wasn't available after the game, but appears to be day to day.

"He is a tough kid,'' Riggleman said. "There's not a lot of meat on his bones, but he wanted to stay in there and that was what he did.''

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Game of Twister: Mahle was in a jam in the second with two on and two out when Glavis connected on a pitch at the bottom of the zone, sending a high arcing shot to right field. Schebler was playing shallow for the light-hitting shortstop and it looked as Glavis burned him. But Schebler quickly retreated, turned his body around a couple of times and made the difficult catch in the shadow of the fence to likely save two runs and keep the game scoreless.

"That was a key play in the game,'' Riggleman said.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS Lorenzen's four-inning save was the first time a Reds had accomplished that since Elmer Dessens in an 11-5 win on June 24, 2000, also against the Padres, at Cinergy Field.

"The ball was coming out nice and easy,'' Lorenzen said. "The approach I'm taking is the bullpen is going to be used a lot, so I can't just go out there and throw gas. I don't need to throw as hard as I can to get outs.''

Riggleman said that's the best he's seen Lorenzen in some time. The way he was retiring the Padres, Riggleman had no qualms about letting him extend his outing.

"We know that it is in there, and we know he can do that,'' Riggleman said. "It was an impressive four innings and he did it somewhat effortlessly. The ball was coming out of his hand nice.''

SOUND SMART Reds scout Mike Misuraca came up to Mahle before the game with a prediction. Mahle and Lorenzen, two signed by Misuraca, were going to combine to beat the Padres.

"He told me I was going to pitch seven innings and Michael would throw the final two,'' Mahle said. "Instead I went five innings and he went four.'' That still added up to nine innings and a win for Mahle and a save for Lorenzen.

UP NEXT Right-hander Matt Harvey will make his fifth appearance with the Reds on Saturday, facing the Padres at Petco Park at 8:40 p.m. ET. Since coming over from the Mets, Harvey has split his two decisions with Cincinnati, but the club has won three of his four starts. Harvey gave up four runs over 5 1/3 innings to the Rockies his last time out in a loss. The Padres will counter with rookie Eric Lauer.

Gennett highlights Reds' ASG ballot selections By Mark Sheldon MLB.com @m_sheldon Jun. 1st, 2018

CINCINNATI -- During his breakout first year with the Reds in 2017, Scooter Gennett didn't become a regular in their lineup until the second half. Gennett deserves credit, and perhaps recognition, because he's backed it with another strong performance thus far in '18.

Gennett is among eight members of the Reds for fans to vote on in this year's Camping World All-Star Ballot, released on Friday. He is seeking his first selection as an All-Star.

Voting is coming at a good time for Gennett, as he finished May as the National League's leader in batting average and twice won NL Player of the Week honors during the month.

"I feel like last year I hit the ball well, and it's continued into this season," Gennett said earlier this week. "I'm not doing anything different, my approach is the same. ... It's one of those things where why change something up if we've had success? [I'm] not worrying about an 0-for here or there and not letting it change anything, and [I'm] just sticking with what works."

Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2018 Camping World MLB All-Star Ballot until Thursday, July 5, at 11:59 p.m. ET. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB and MLB Ballpark mobile apps. Each fan can vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.

Following the announcement of this year's All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2018 Camping World MLB All-Star Final Vote for the final player on each league's roster. Then on Tuesday, July 17, while watching the 2018 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2018 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.

The 89th Midsummer Classic, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.

Besides Gennett, the other Reds on the ballot are first baseman and five-time All-Star Joey Votto, Tucker Barnhart, shortstop Jose Peraza, third baseman Eugenio Suarez, center fielder Billy Hamilton and right fielder Scott Schebler. Left fielder Jesse Winker is also on the ballot instead of former All-Star Adam Duvall.

In 2017, the Reds had two NL All-Stars in Votto and Zack Cozart, but only Cozart was elected via the fan vote.

Bailey reticent about demotion to bullpen By Jay Paris Special to MLB.com Jun. 1st, 2018

SAN DIEGO -- Right-hander Homer Bailey threw a bullpen session before the Reds opened a three-game series with the Padres on Friday. When he will take the mound again is a mystery.

Bailey was removed from the rotation earlier this week after going 1-7 in 12 starts this season. His 6.68 ERA is the worst in the National League among qualified starters. The Reds' patience expired after he was knocked around by the D-backs on Monday, allowing eight runs (six earned), six hits, and a walk over four-plus innings.

Bailey, though, had yet to comment on his demotion. It was clear through his short answers and body language that he's not thrilled with the team's decision.

When asked if his responsibilities as a reliever had been clarified Bailey said, "Not really, no.''

Could the switch to the bullpen get him back on track?

"Probably not,'' he said. "But that is what we are hoping for.''

Interim manager Jim Riggleman said on Wednesday he thought Bailey would have a middle-relief role and would be an option if a starter exited early. He also speculated Bailey could be available for this Padres series. But Bailey countered that it would only be for the final two games considering his Friday bullpen session.

Worth noting

Catcher Curt Casali arrived in the Reds' clubhouse after being acquired in a trade with the Rays. He's hopeful the switch of teams will serve as a catalyst for his career.

"I feel like a fresh start was needed,'' Casali said.

Casali played in 161 games over four seasons with the Rays, batting .199. He'll spell starter Tucker Barnhart with catcher Tony Cruz being optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

"I want to give Tucker a good break and have the pitchers not skip a beat when I get back there,'' Casali said. "I just want to help win games, do whatever Jim [Riggleman] needs me to do and be a good teammate to these guys.''

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Michael Lorenzen gets four-inning save in Cincinnati Reds' 7-2 win over John Fay, [email protected] Published 1:10 a.m. ET June 2, 2018 | Updated 10:51 a.m. ET June 2, 2018

SAN DIEGO — Michael Lorenzen thought he'd get one or two innings, maybe three.

Four? That just doesn't happen in modern baseball for relievers.

It happened Friday night. Lorenzen pitched the final four innings to save a 7-2 victory for the Cincinnati Reds over the San Diego Padres before a crowd of 25,729 at Petco Park.

"No idea, (I'd finished the game)," Lorenzen said. "I thought one inning, two innings. Three innings, awesome. Four innings, awesome. I was pumped that he was continuing to let me go out there."

Rookie right-hander Tyler Mahle (4-6) went five shutout innings and allowed five hits. He walked two and struck out five.

Lorenzen took over for Mahle and retired 11 in a row before giving up a hit, a walk and two-run triple with two outs in the ninth. Billy Hamilton banged the wall trying to catch Freddy Galvis' drive for the triple. Trainer Steve Baumann and manager Jim Riggleman came out to check on Hamilton, but Hamilton stayed in the game.

"He's a tough kid," Riggleman said. "He was insisting he wanted to stay in there."

Lorenzen got the next hitter to end it.

It was Lorenzen's first save of the year and third of his career. It was the first four-inning save for a Red since Elmer Dessens did it in 2000.

The first 15 pitches and 25 of the first 27 pitches Lorenzen threw were strikes.

"That's the best we've seen him," Riggleman said. "That's what we know is in there. Impressive four innings and he did somewhat effortlessly."

Riggleman, by the way, said the Reds weren't stretching Lorenzen out to add a starting option.

"I felt really good," Lorenzen said. "I was throwing the ball nice and easy. That's kind of the approach I'm taking. Our bullpen is going to be used a lot. To be used a lot you can't go out there and gas out.

"That helps me stay within the zone. I'm learning a lot about my stuff. I don't have throw as hard as I can to get people out."

The Reds scored a Hamilton run in the third. Hamilton walked, stole second, moved to third on Jesse Winker’s groundout and scored on Tucker Barnhart’s groundout.

The knockout blow came in the fourth.

Eugenio Suarez led off with a walk. Schebler followed with a single. Jose Peraza got them both home with a double to the wall in left-center. It was Peraza’s ninth hit in his last 19 at-bats. The hot streak came after a 2-for-22 skid.

Mahle struck out trying to bunt Peraza over, and Hamilton struck out as well. But Winker kept the inning going with a walk. Barnhart then singled to get Peraza in and make it 4-0 game.

Scooter Gennett pushed it to 5-0 with a home run to center field to start the fifth. It was Gennett’s 11th of the year.

The Reds added two runs in the seventh.

Mahle was never in real trouble. But his pitch count rose quickly. He was pulled after 102 pitches. But five shutout innings is what Mahle needed. He had allowed 12 runs over 14 1/3 innings in his previous three starts.

A step in the right direction?

"Exactly," Mahle said. "I made a lot more pitches than I missed. I made big pitches in big situations and was able to locate my fastball."

Homer Bailey on whether he can be an effective reliever: "Probably not" John Fay, [email protected] Published 8:24 p.m. ET June 1, 2018 | Updated 8:48 p.m. ET June 1, 2018

SAN DIEGO – Veteran Reds right-hander Homer Bailey says he isn’t sure of the details of his new role.

But he’s not very confident that he can be an effective reliever in the majors.

“Probably not,” he said.

The Reds announced that Bailey was going to the bullpen Tuesday. He declined to speak with reporters that day. He says it wasn’t because he was unhappy with the decision.

“It’s not a matter of happy,” Bailey said. “You all (reporters) had more information than I did at the time. I didn’t know exactly what was going on.”

Has it been clarified?

“A little bit, maybe,” Bailey said. “Not really… They talked to you (the media) before me, so I don’t know what I can and can’t say.”

After pitching well in his first four starts, Bailey struggled mightily in the next eight. He is 1-7 with a 6.68 ERA overall. Luis Castillo will make Bailey’s scheduled start on Sunday on regular rest because of the off day.

The Reds haven’t ruled out Bailey returning to starting. A stint in the bullpen could get Bailey back to being effective.

“That’s kind of what we’re hoping what will happen,” Bailey said.

He missed most of the last 3 ½ seasons with a variety of elbow injuries that led to three surgeries. Bailey said he would not be available to pitch in Friday’s game.

“I don’t think that would be possible,” Bailey said. “I know I’ve got a bullpen later (Friday).”

CASALI HAPPY: Curt Casali was surprised and happy to be a Red. The Reds acquired Casali from the for cash. He was added to the roster Friday.

“I was surprised,” Casali said. “The manager in Durham called me in and said, ‘You’ve been traded to the Reds.’ It was a good conversation because he said you’re going to the big leagues. I’m happy to be here.”

Casali, 29, spent parts of the last four seasons in the big leagues with the Rays, hitting .199 in 408 at-bats. He does have 19 home runs in the big leagues.

“I’ve had a little a bit of success in the big leagues with Tampa,” he said. “They were great with me. But I feel like a fresh start was needed. I'm hoping Cincinnati is the place that’s going to give it to me.”

More: Homer Bailey's demotion is only the first move with Cincinnati Reds starting rotation

WINKER IN: Two days after saying Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler would get the bulk of the playing time in left and right field, Reds manager Jim Riggleman started Jesse Winker over Duvall.

“I did indicate I needed to get a couple of guys in there and get them going,” Riggleman said. “As we head into this off day (Thursday), off day Monday, we’ve got four off days in June, I can’t let Winker sit that much.”

“While we’re out West, Billy is in center field every day in these big ballparks. These remaining few games here, I’ll get each of other guys two games. That way nobody gets any rust on them. It’s not been easy for our outfielders to get in a groove with an off day every four days. My intent was to get a couple of them really going. It’s just too many days off for Winker. He’s too good a hitter.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lorenzen’s 4-inning save highlights Reds′7-2 win over Padres By BERNIE WILSON

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Scooter Gennett hitting a home run is nothing unusual for the Cincinnati Reds.

Michael Lorenzen recording a four-inning save certainly is.

Gennett homered, Jose Peraza had three hits and three RBIs, and Lorenzen cruised through the last four innings for his first save this year as the Reds beat rookie right-hander Walker Lockett and the San Diego Padres 7-2 Friday night in a matchup of last-place teams.

After Tyler Mahle (4-6) pitched five scoreless innings, Lorenzen took over and nearly got through his four innings unscathed before Freddy Galvis hit a two-run triple with two outs in the ninth as center fielder Billy Hamilton slammed into the fence trying to track down the ball. Hamilton was checked for several minutes but stayed in for the final out.

Lorenzen allowed two runs on two hits, struck out four and walked one in the Reds’ first four-inning save since Elmer Dessens did it in an 11-5 win on June 24, 2000.

“You need more out of me, then I’ll throw more,” Lorenzen said. “I love playing this game, I want to play as much as I can, so I want to be out there as much as I can, so you’ll never see me not want to go out there and pitch.”

Said interim manager Jim Riggleman: “He was getting some early count outs, first- and second-pitch outs. That’s as good as we’ve seen. That’s what we know is in there, we know Mike can do that.”

Galvis’ fly ball hit off the heel of Hamilton’s glove just before the fielder slammed into the padded fence and then hit the ground. He was able to flip the ball to right fielder Scott Schebler.

Riggleman said Hamilton hurt his neck.

“It looked a little uncomfortable but he’s a tough kid,” Riggleman said. “He doesn’t have a lot of meat on those bones but he’s a tough kid.”

The Reds came in with the NL’s worst record. The Padres, who have the league’s third-worst record, had taken three of four against the , the NL’s other last-place team.

Gennett, who on Tuesday won his second NL Player of the Week Award in May, hit his 11th homer to center field leading off the fifth off reliever Robbie Erlin to give the Reds a 5-0 lead. Travis Jankowski made a futile leaping attempt at the ball as it cleared the fence.

Mahle, a 23-year-old right-hander, pitched five scoreless innings for the win and doubled for his first career extra-base hit. Mahle (4-6) allowed five hits, struck out five and walked two.

Lockett (0-1), a 24-year-old right-hander, lasted 3 2-3 innings in his major league debut. He allowed four runs and four hits, walked five and struck out two. He was recalled from Triple-A El Paso, where he was 2-5 with a 5.31 ERA. He was starting in place of , who is on the disabled list with a strained right hip.

Lockett allowed a run in the third on a leadoff walk, stolen base and two groundouts, and then allowed three runs in the fourth on three hits and two walks. Peraza hit a two-out double before Lockett struck out Mahle and Hamilton. But the rookie walked Jesse Winker and allowed an RBI single to Tucker Barnhart before making way for Erlin.

The Reds added two runs in the seventh, one on Peraza’s single.

Lockett got through the first two innings OK but then walked Hamilton leading off the third.

“The walk to Hamilton kind of set the day in the wrong direction,” manager said. “Guy went through a lot of emotions in his first day in the big leagues. Outside of the walks, he wasn’t getting hammered around the ballpark. Five free passes, it’s tough to compete.”

Said Lockett: “I was just a little bit out of whack that third inning. I was getting really rotational, wasn’t staying through my pitches, so I think that played a big part.”

UP NEXT

Reds: RHP Matt Harvey (1-3, 5.63) is scheduled to make his fifth start with the Reds on Saturday night. He made two relief appearances at Petco Park against the Padres earlier this year while he was with the .

Padres: Rookie LHP Eric Lauer (1-3, 7.67), set to make his eighth career start, is coming off a career-low 2 1-3 innings in a 7-2 loss against Miami on Monday.

Transactions

06/02/18 New York Mets signed free agent C Juan Loyo to a minor league contract. signed free agent RHP Adenys Bautista to a minor league contract. Colorado Rockies signed free agent RHP Wuardo Fernandez to a minor league contract.

06/01/18 designated LHP Marc Rzepczynski for assignment. Cincinnati Reds selected the contract of C Curt Casali from . Cincinnati Reds designated 2B Rosell Herrera for assignment. New York Mets designated RHP Scott Copeland for assignment. New York Mets selected the contract of C Jose Lobaton from Las Vegas 51s. Cleveland Indians optioned RHP Shane Bieber to Columbus Clippers. Cleveland Indians activated CF Bradley Zimmer from the 10-day disabled list. Colorado Rockies placed RF David Dahl on the 10-day disabled list. Right foot fracture. Colorado Rockies activated 2B DJ LeMahieu from the 10-day disabled list. Detroit Tigers activated 1B Miguel Cabrera from the 10-day disabled list. Detroit Tigers designated SS Pete Kozma for assignment. Detroit Tigers placed LHP Ryan Carpenter on the 10-day disabled list. Right oblique strain. Detroit Tigers recalled RHP Zac Reininger from Toledo Mud Hens. Oakland Athletics activated SS Marcus Semien from the paternity list. activated 3B Danny Valencia from the paternity list. Baltimore Orioles optioned LHP Donnie Hart to . Oakland Athletics optioned 2B Franklin Barreto to Nashville Sounds. Baltimore Orioles sent RF Colby Rasmus on a rehab assignment to . Baltimore Orioles sent LHP Zach Britton on a rehab assignment to Bowie Baysox. recalled LHP Tim Mayza from . San Diego Padres optioned RHP Kazuhisa Makita to . traded 1B Peter O'Brien to Miami Marlins for cash. Toronto Blue Jays placed 3B Josh Donaldson on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 29, 2018. Left calf tightness. activated LF Brian Goodwin from the 10-day disabled list. Washington Nationals optioned LF Andrew Stevenson to Syracuse Chiefs. Toronto Blue Jays optioned RHP Jake Petricka to Buffalo Bisons. Toronto Blue Jays optioned LF Dwight Smith Jr. to Buffalo Bisons. Toronto Blue Jays activated RF Randal Grichuk from the 10-day disabled list. Toronto Blue Jays activated SS Aledmys Diaz from the 10-day disabled list. Washington Nationals sent LF Adam Eaton on a rehab assignment to Harrisburg Senators. Los Angeles Dodgers placed LHP Clayton Kershaw on the 10-day disabled list. Lower back discomfort. Los Angeles Dodgers recalled RHP Brock Stewart from Oklahoma City Dodgers. placed LHP Luiz Gohara on the restricted list. sent C Jett Bandy outright to Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Milwaukee Brewers placed RHP Zach Davies on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 30, 2018. Right rotator cuff inflammation. Milwaukee Brewers recalled 1B Ji-Man Choi from Colorado Springs Sky Sox. optioned 2B Kelby Tomlinson to Sacramento River Cats. Boston Red Sox placed RF Mookie Betts on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 29, 2018. Left abdominal strain. optioned RHP Akeel Morris to Salt Lake Bees. Los Angeles Angels activated RHP Oliver Drake. San Francisco Giants activated 2B from the 10-day disabled list. San Francisco Giants activated RHP Mark Melancon from the 60-day disabled list. San Francisco Giants designated RHP Jose Valdez for assignment. Detroit Tigers signed free agent RHP Enrique Yeguez to a minor league contract. Seattle Mariners recalled LHP Roenis Elias from Tacoma Rainiers. San Diego Padres recalled RHP Walker Lockett from El Paso Chihuahuas.