All Things Bubba

The Reds played two split-squad games. The home game was against the Yankees. The away game was against the Pirates.

Andy didn't get to play against his former team. He had to get on the bus to play against Pittsburgh. Bummer. I'm sure the Yankees fans who traveled to Sarasota would have liked to see him.

Andy was the DH today, batting ninth. He stayed in the whole game, getting four ABs. He was 0 for 3, but got on base via a throwing error and eventually scored. He also had 1 RBI on a sac fly.

Janish played in the Yankees game. He was 0 for 1.

It was a pretty crazy game. Matt Belisle has been awful so far this spring, and didn't improve today. However, Phil Hughes had a pretty rough day at the office, too, and the game ended tied. It started to rain, so they called it in the 10th inning.

Punishment was handed out for Wednesday's brawl between the Yanks and the Rays. Melky Cabrera and Shelley Duncan were suspended for three games each. Jonny Gomes was suspended for two games. The three were also fined, along with Girardi, third base coach Bobby Meacham, and hitting coach Kevin Long.

The Reds made some cuts today. Paul Janish and Chris Dickerson were optioned to Louisville. Pitcher Justin Lehr was reassigned to minor league camp.

Janish turns a double play, March 5, 2008
Looks like they've pretty much decided that Keppinger will be the starting SS (until A-Gon is healthy). Could be good news for Andy, since Kep was probably his main rival for the role of right-handed utility infielder/corner outfielder.