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News » Reds 6, Blue Jays 5(10) 2009-03-08


Reds 6, Blue Jays 5(10) 2009-03-08


Reds 6, Blue Jays 5(10) 2009-03-08
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) - Micah Owings pitched four scoreless innings, aiding his bid to become the Reds' fifth starter, in Cincinnati's 6-5 victory in 10 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.

Scott Rolen doubled and hit his first spring homer off Reds closer Francisco Cordero with the bases empty in the seventh for the Blue Jays.

Cordero also gave up a two-run homer to J.P. Arencibia in his one inning of work. The right-hander had an X-ray on his right ankle earlier Sunday - the same ankle where doctors removed a bone spur in September. He has had stiffness there recently.

"His velocity was there but his location was off," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "It's a good sign. Once he gets his location, he'll be fine. He started slow last spring."

Owings gave up one hit and finished with six strikeouts. He struck out five of the first seven batters.

Adam Rosales hit two RBI singles for the Reds, including one in the 10th off Toronto's Luis Perez.

Jonny Gomes, trying to resurrect a career that crashed last season in Tampa Bay, followed Brandon Phillips' single with a two-run homer in the fourth off Brett Cecil.

Gomes, a non-tendered free agent who signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati in January, played first base. Gomes batted .182 last year.

"I'd never recommend being non-tendered to any ballplayer, but it will definitely get you ready for spring training," Gomes said. "I got ready for it - my legs, arms, everything - to be ready for anything. Sure enough they dropped first base on me. I'm learning on the fly."

David Purcey, making his first spring training start, shut down the Reds for the first three innings.

"It was good to get back in the swing of things. It was the first time in front of a crowd," said Purcey, who has been penciled as the Blue Jays' No. 3 starter. "I can't control where they put me or where they don't. The only thing I can do is go out there and try to throw strikes."

Purcey hit a batter and walked two.

"The first inning I was trying to do too much. The first inning I was high, the second inning I was below the strike zone and the third inning I finally found it. I was throwing my curve for strikes."

Cecil, Toronto's top pitching prospect, followed with three earned runs and four hits over 3 1/3 innings.

The Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez was hitless in three at bats, striking out twice. He was again the designated hitter while he recovers from a compression fracture in his left knee, but may play in the field Tuesday against the New York Yankees.


Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: March 8, 2009

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