GOODYEAR, Arizona –– On Friday, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell watched two candidates for the open fifth spot in the starting rotation throw back-to-back against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
First José De León showed what he worked on over the offseason, and then Michael Lorenzen did the same.
The Reds had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but the Diamondbacks used a spring training rule and ended the inning early to beat the Reds, 5-3.
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The Reds outfield is back to full strength.
After returning to Cincinnati last week, Shogo Akiyama went through outfield drills on Friday afternoon, and he’s scheduled to play Sunday.
Right fielder Nick Castellanos made his first start after a minor finger injury earlier in camp. Castellanos hit second against the Diamondbacks on Friday.
Three observations
1. De León relied on his fastball early and often, throwing it on his first four pitches. But even though most of his success came from his 94 mph fastball, De León saved his best pitch of the night for the end of the second inning. With two strikes and two outs, De León threw an 84 mph slider and drew a swing and miss strike three. De León returned for the third and became the first Reds pitcher to throw more than two innings this season. He just allowed one hit and no runs in the first two innings, but De León allowed a two-run home run in the third.
2. As he builds up as a starting pitcher, Lorenzen didn’t throw as hard as he could have on Friday. Instead, Lorenzen threw his breaking pitches more often and went back to a 93 mph fastball. Last season, Lorenzen’s average fastball was 97 mph, but he is approaching spring training differently this year to prepare to pitch more innings over the season and in each game he plays. The different approach didn’t produce immediate results – Lorenzen allowed a three-run home run in the fourth inning, and the Reds rolled the inning before he recorded three outs. Lorenzen returned for a second inning, and his final tally was three earned runs and three hits while striking out one batter in 1.1 innings.
3. On Friday afternoon before the game, Nick Senzel took batting practice alongside the other outfielders at Goodyear Ballpark. While other hitters were clearing the fences, Senzel had a different approach, working on hitting low line drives to all parts of the field. But in Senzel’s first at-bat on Friday, he hit a home run over the left field fence. Senzel, who could be the Reds leadoff hitter this season, only hit two home runs in 2020. But he showed his ability to hit for power against the Diamondbacks. In the fifth inning, Senzel added a double down the third base line. Senzel also made a great play in center field, cutting off a line drive getting the ball back into the infield and preventing the runner on-base from trying to score.
Photos of camp
Quote of the day
De León on the fifth starter competition: "We all are behind one goal – and that’s winning. I know that the front office here are going to do the best they can and they think, and whatever that role is, you got to take pride on it and do it right."
Up Next
The Reds technically have an off-day Saturday, but Cincinnati will play a B game against Cleveland. Wade Miley, Tyler Mahle, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo are all scheduled to pitch.
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