Leake pitches into 7th as Reds beat Cubs 3-1

[April 20, 2010]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- Mike Leake pitched into the seventh during his wild major league debut, Ramon Hernandez drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded walk and the Cincinnati Reds rallied to beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Sunday.

Leake became the 21st player since the draft began in 1965 to play in the majors without appearing in a minor league game and first since Xavier Nady with the San Diego Padres in 2000. He also became the first American pitcher to accomplish the feat since Darren Dreifort with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994.

The 22-year-old right-hander issued seven walks but allowed just one run and four hits over 6 2-3 innings. He also went 2 for 2 at the plate.

Leake also is the first player from the 2009 draft to make his major league debut. The ex-Arizona State star was selected eighth overall.

The Reds loaded the bases in the eighth inning on two singles and a walk against John Grabow (0-2), and Esmailin Caridad walked Hernandez to force in the go-ahead run. Jonny Gomes followed with a sacrifice fly.

Nick Masset (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Francisco Cordero finished for his second save in two opportunities.

Chicago's Tom Gorzelanny, acquired from Pittsburgh on July 30th, was sharp in his first start of the season. The left-hander struck out seven in 6 1-3 innings, allowing an unearned run and four hits.

The Cubs grabbed the lead in the fifth. Ryan Theriot reached for the third time, leading off with a walk, and moved up on Kosuke Fukudome's sacrifice. Derrek Lee then lined an RBI single into center field.

Left fielder Alfonso Soriano's error helped the Reds tie it in the seventh. With runners on first and second and one out, Soriano dropped Gomes' fly ball into the corner. That loaded the bases for pinch-hitter Miguel Cairo, whose sharp one-hopper glanced off reliever Sean Marshall for tying infield single.

NOTES: Leake lined a single to center field with one out in the third for Cincinnati's first hit and started the sixth with a soft liner up the right-field line. His game cap was headed for the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. ... The last Reds pitcher to get a hit in his first major league at-bat was Matt Maloney, who singled off Chicago's Ryan Dempster last June 6th in Cincinnati. ... Lee has reached base at least once in each of Chicago's first six games. ... Theriot was doubtful for Sunday's game after he pulled a right calf muscle advancing to second on a wild pitch on Saturday. Pregame tests convinced manager Lou Piniella that Theriot was OK to start the series finale. ... Cubs LHP James Russell, son of Cincinnati native and former Reds RHP Jeff Russell, got the final out of the eighth inning.

[Associated Press]

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