All Things Bubba

Andy is safe at 3rd.
Exciting game at Ed Smith Stadium today. The wind was blowing out, making for lots of big hits. Cincinnati jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. The Pirates eventually took the lead, then the Reds tied it. The Redlegs pulled ahead again in the 7th, then added a couple of insurance runs in the 8th. They looked like they had it in the bag. But Pittsburgh had a 4-run ninth, taking the lead again. Cincinnati eventually prevailed in the bottom of the ninth on doubles by Jolbert Cabrera and young catcher Craig Tatum, and a walkoff single by Scott Hatteberg. Final score: Reds 12, Bucs 11.

Andy Phillips started at 1B, batting seventh. He went 1 for 2 with a run scored. The hit was a single, a line drive up the middle. He left the game in the 6th inning, when Jeff Keppinger was subbed in for him with the bases loaded and two outs. (Kepp grounded into an inning-ending force out. They should have left Andy in. ;-)

Janish did not play today. John Fay reports that Dusty Baker was surprisingly blunt on the shortstop situation. A-Gon is not going to be ready to play on opening day. The candidates to replace him include "Jeff Keppinger, Juan Castro, Paul Janish and Adam Rosales - probably in that order." He's not going to move Brandon Phillips to SS, as many fans want.

Meanwhile, in the opposite dugout...Kevin Thompson is playing well. He went 2 for 2, and both hits were doubles. He's batting .500.

Minky got only one plate appearance, as a pinch hitter. He got on base via a walk. Figures. His OBP is probably the best part of his game these days.

Seattle lost a very similar high-scoring squeaker. The Mariners started out with an early lead, lost it, then chiseled their way back. They tied it in the top of the ninth, on a Miguel Cairo double and a Balentien homer (Balentien's second of the game). But the Padres came back in bottom of the 9th, winning the game with a walkoff single by some kid named Sinisi. Final score: Seattle 10, San Diego 11.

Miggy came in for Beltre at 3B, and went 1 for 2. Sardinha came in for Morse in LF, and was 1 for 3.