Final: Marlins 3, Reds 2 in 14
Posted by JohnFay at 5/4/2009 7:14 PM EDT on Cincinnati.com

The Marlins won it on Paul Janish's throwing error. Daniel Ray Herrera, the sixth pitcher of the night, walked Ronny Paulino to start the 14th. Hanley Ramirez singled. Jorge Cantu hit grounder to Joey Votto. Votto threw to second to force Ramirez. Janish's throw back to Herrera, coving first, was off line. The slow-footed Paulino came around to score.

Aaron Harang (2-3, 3.09) vs. Josh Johnson (2-0, 2.60). This is Johnson's first start against the Reds. He threw three innings of scoreless relief in 2006. He was 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2006. He had Tommy John in August of 2007. Harang is 3-2 with a 6.70 against Florida. The Marlins lit him up a career-high seven earned runs June 8 of last year. The Reds had averaged 2.6 runs in Harang's starts coming.

Regis Philbin threw out the first pitch. He came up about three feet short and three feet outside. They'll probably run the clip on Letterman.

Harang vs. Johnson was a draw. Harang went seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. He walked three and struck out nine. Johnson went 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on eighth hits. He walked none and struck out six.

BIG CHANCE:Reds had first and third one out in the first -- Chris Dickerson reached on an error, Joey Votto singled -- but Brandon Phillips took a called third strike and Jay Bruce flied out to center.

RAMIREZ'S BOMB: Hanley Ramirez hit one way out to the left in the top of the first. It came on the first pitch. It was his third of year, and the third Harang's allowed. Marlins, 1-0.

BIG SECOND RUN: Ramirez led off the sixth with a single. An out later, he moved to second on Dan Uggla's groundout. He scored on Jeremy Hermida's bloop single. Marlins, 2-0.

FINALLY A BREAKTHROUGH: Phillips led off the sixth with an infield single. Bruce lined one into center, sending Phillips to third. Ramon Hernandez singled to right, scoring Phillips and second Bruce to third. Adam Rosales hit into a 4-6-3 double play, but Bruce scored to tie it. Tied, 2-2. Harang started the seventh at 105 pitches.

RIGHT AT 'EM:The Reds got something going in the eighth. Willy Taveras singled with one out. When Dickerson followed with a single, the Marlins pulled Johnson and brought in left-hander Dan Meyer to face Votto. Votto flied to center. The Marlins then brought in right-hander Leo Nunez to face Phillips. Phillips worked the count to 3-2, fouled one off, then hit sizzling line drive that Ramirez leaped to catch.

GREAT ESCAPE: The Reds survived a scare on the ninth. Arthur Rhodes gave up back-to-back out singles. He struck out Ronny Paulino for the second out, then gave way to Nick Masset. Masset walked Ramirez to load the bases, then got former Reds Jorge Cantu to fly harmlessly to right.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...innati.com

Gonzalez oblique strain

Posted by JohnFay at 5/4/2009 11:04 PM EDT on Cincinnati.com

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez has a left oblique strain. He will be evaluated in Cincinnati tomorrow by Dr. Tim Kremchek.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...innati.com

Dusty on Nix v. Dickerson
Posted by JohnFay at 5/4/2009 5:08 PM EDT on Cincinnati.com

Dusty Baker knows that a lot of people in fan land would like to see Laynce Nix in left field.

"But the fans don't make out the lineup," Baker said. "Nix is going to play. Fans didn't even know who Nix was when we got him. You're not going to play him over Jay Bruce or Willy Taveras. That leaves left field. Who's got more talent than Chris Dickerson? Last year, Dickerson was the fair-haired boy. People wanted me to play him every day against right- and left-handers."

It's a small sample but Nix has outplayed Dickerson so far. Nix is hitting .333 with a home run and three RBI in 30 at-bats. He's 4-for-his-last-7 and has scored a run in his last five appearances. Dickerson is hitting .204 with a home home run and five RBI in 49 at-bats. Nix has no errors, Dickerson has three.

Baker tends to stick with players longer than fans would like. He won't take a position away based on a small sample.

"I ain't no front-runner," he said.

"I had Nix in today to talk to him," Baker said. "When he came here, he knew the situation. We brought him in as an extra outfielder. I told him: 'Stay ready. I'll play you enough to keep you sharp.' He's very valuable coming off the bench. I still think he can be an everyday player. You don't want it to happen but sometimes you've got to let a guy play his way out before you put another guy in."

There's also fan sentiment to play Paul Janish and Ryan Hanigan more.

"I like the whole team," Baker said. "You can't play everybody. You play eight at a time and keep the rest sharp."

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...innati.com