Pitching and Defense

Dusty Baker is pleased that the Cincinnati Reds have shown the willingness to do the little things early in spring training.

Lost in the Reds 7-0 win over the American League Champion, Tampa Bay Rays was a play by Chris Dickerson in the first inning.

Dickerson cut off a base hit down the leftfield line by Carl Crawford and held the Rays speedy outfielder to a single. Visions of the ball rattling around in the corner with Adam Dunn in that position were erased.

"That's what we're trying to stress the little things," Baker said. "It's not just hits, RBI and stolen bases and the obvious big things. But the little things that create a good situation for you or prevents a bad situation against you. If the ball goes to the corner, its 2-0 and who knows how many more they get."

The Reds have changed philosophies. Gone are power hitters, Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. The 2009 version has more speed. The Reds are not going to rely on the home run ball this season. Cincinnati was 57-51 when they hit at least one home run in 2008. They were 17-36 in homerless games.

"It is the personnel we have. You manage to your personnel," Baker said. "We just have more speed. Plus nine years of losing the other way you have to try something don't you think."

Yet in the first game of the spring the Reds scored six runs directly from the home run ball. Jerry Hairston Jr. hit a grand slam and Adam Rosales chipped in with a two-run home run, while setting a record for the fastest home run trot.

"I'll take the home run. In a minute," Baker said. "It is like a three-point shooting basketball team. You can't live and die by the three pointer. You need a some layups too. Some fast breaks and good defense. But when you're down by two points in a close game. You need the three point shot. You can't win just one way."

So far the younger Reds have bought into the philosophy of speed and defense. Even the cleanup hitter, Brandon Phillips is not a power guy.

"Brandon is more of speed guy than a power guy," Baker said.

"It doesn't matter if they (players) like it," Baker said. "They have to do it. I haven't had to talk to anyone so far. So far so good. Sooner or later someone is not going to hustle and I'll say something right away. I hope I don't have to. I hope that they get on themselves."

It would be hard to follow up on the shutout the pitchers turned in on Wednesday.

"I don't think I've ever seen that in the first game," Baker said.