Sorry for not posting this in the game threads but I don't have access.
I just got back from the exhibition game between the Reds and the AA Carolina Mudcats and the Reds looked awful. They played pretty much their opening day starting lineup except McDonald was in CF and Hairston played SS. Arroyo gave up 6 runs in 3 innings then Cordero gave up 4 more in the next couple of innings. I was disappointed, they really looked bad both in the field and at the plate. I don't remember all the details but I do remember 3 misplayed balls in the outfield and one throwing error by Hairston on a DP ball. On one play Dickerson was going after a flyball along the left field foul line and he fell over the side wall out of the playing field. When he got back in the playing field he couldn't find the ball and the Mudcats got an inside the park homerun. McDonald dropped a flyball and Bruce misplayed one off the wall in right field. The Reds starters played 5 innings then gave way to the subs.
On the positive side Yonder Alonso looked really good, he hit one out off of Arroyo in his first AB and played really good defense at first. I wouldn't be surprised if he's up in Cincy this fall. The only real highlight for the Reds was a solo homerun by Dickerson.
The Reds starters played 5 innings then gave way to the subs.
My personal highlight was getting to meet Mr. Castellini after the game. He and Marty Brennaman came walking by right in the middle of the crowd as we were leaving. I don't think most of the people even knew who he was. I walked over, shook hands and said hello, thanked him for trying to rebuild the Reds. He was very friendly. I hope they come down here again next year.