|
 Simon continued to shine as a substitute starter, pitching into
the seventh inning despite erratic control as the Reds beat the
Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on Wednesday night.
Simon (3-1) worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed two runs, four hits and
five walks while striking out four. Simon pitched at least all six
innings in all four starts this season as a rotation replacement for
injured Mat Latos after pitching exclusively in relief the previous
two years.
However, one person who is not surprised about how well he has
pitched as a starter is Simon, who has a 1.30 ERA.
"I knew I could do this," he said. "I have good stuff and I know the
hitters in the league. I just try to go out and do my best every
five days and right now I'm feeling very comfortable."
Reds manager Bryan Price feels comfortable running Simon out to the
mound every fifth day.
"He's been terrific," Price said. "He's been an extremely versatile
pitcher for us the last two-plus seasons. He's always been a
talented guy but he's really found himself and made himself into a
very good-looking starting pitcher."
Right fielder Jay Bruce had two hits and knocked in the final run of
the decisive three-run fifth inning against Pirates starter Charlie
Morton (0-3) as the Reds went ahead 4-2. Center fielder Billy
Hamilton also had two hits for Cincinnati, which won seven of 10
games since a 3-7 start.
Closer Jonathan Broxton pitched a scoreless ninth, despite allowing
two hits, for his third save.
Morton also had control issues, walking five in six innings while
giving up four runs — three earned — and four hits with four
strikeouts.
"I was yanking my fastball all night," he said. "There were times
were I was trying to go inside on left-handed hitters and missing in
the right-handed batter's box. I was literally missing by three feet
on some of my pitches."
Center fielder Andrew McCutchen had two hits and homered for the
third consecutive night against the Reds but could not keep the
Pirates from losing for the 10th time in 13 games.
The Reds used their speed to go ahead 4-2 with a three-run fifth
inning that included two stolen bases and a throwing error by
catcher Chris Stewart. Center fielder Billy Hamilton singled in the
first run, the second run scored on Stewart's error as he tried to
throw out Hamilton trying to steal second and then Hamilton scored
the final run on Bruce's fielder's-choice grounder.
[to top of second column] |
The Reds also used their speed to score their first run in the
second inning when left fielder Roger Bernandina drew a leadoff walk
from Morton, stole second, continued to third on a Stewart throwing
error and scored on shortstop Ramon Santiago's groundout.
"We took advantage of what we could because this is team that might
not give you a lot most nights," Bruce said. "We tried to put some
pressure on the defense."
NOTES: Pittsburgh C Russell Martin was a late scratch because of
what the Pirates said was "manager's discretion." ... Reds LHP
Aroldis Chapman threw early batting practice, the first time he had
faced hitters since suffering fractures of his eye and nose along
with a mild concussion March 19 when he was struck in the face by a
line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Salvador Perez in spring
training. Chapman pitched from behind a protective screen and the
next step is for him to throw batting practice without the screen
sometime this weekend when the Reds visit Atlanta. ... Cincinnati
INF/OF Skip Schumaker will report to the Reds' extended spring
training camp on Friday in Goodyear, Ariz., as he continues to rehab
from the dislocated left shoulder he suffered March 21 while diving
for a ball in the outfield during a spring training game. ...
Pittsburgh 1B Travis Ishikawa cleared waivers and elected free
agency after declining an outright assignment to Triple-A
Indianapolis. He was designated for assignment last Friday. ... The
Pirates will recall RHP Brandon Cumpton from Indianapolis to start
Thursday against LHP Tony Cingrani (1-2, 3.22 ERA) in the finale of
the four-game series.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
