Young Pitchers Start Strong

Reds beat Tampa Bay 7-0.

The World Baseball Classic did two things. It added a week to spring training.

Reds manager, Dusty Baker, sees positives and negatives to the situation.

One of the negatives is that Baker and pitching coach, Dick Pole will not get much time to work with sophomores, Edinson Valquez and Johnny Cueto. They will pitch for the Dominican Republic in the Classic.

The saving grace is that Mario Soto, who has worked individualy with both pitchers, is the pitching coach for the Dominican Republic.

"They worked very hard and pitched some in the winter league," Baker said.

Volquez started the first exhibition game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched three scoreless innings, escaping a mini-jam by striking out Evan Longoria with two men on in the third inning.

"That's him," Baker said. "He knows how to get out of trouble. He wasn't as sharp as the others but he was sharp enough."

"I had trouble with my fastball," Volquez said. "I got behind on Longoria, then I went to my change up."

Cueto followed with three more hitless, scoreless innings. He walked one batter but struck out three.

Homer Bailey, trying to earn the fifth spot in the starting rotation, struck out two in his perfect inning.

Jerry Hairston Jr. hit a grand slam home run in the fifth inning to essentially seal the

"They all threw the ball well and we played good defense," Baker said. "That's what happens when you get good pitching. All of a sudden you get a big inning. It was a real good day. Anytime you can get a shutout this early."

Usually, starting players are limited to one or two at bats in three innings this early in training but Willie Traveres, Jerry Hairston Jr, Ramon Hernandez and Joey Votto will participate in the WBC and leave the Reds camp on March 1.

Baker stressed that it is important for them to get more innings early.

"You have to get their legs in shape," Baker said. "Other wise they go from winter to nine innings right away."

He used the quartet five innings today. They will play six innings on Thursday and seven on Friday.

The positive that Baker and his staff get a longer look at players like Wilkin Castillo and Pedro Viola. Both players were not selected to play in the Classic.

"Wilkin is one of the guys that is going to benefit from the longer camp," Baker said.

Gonzalez to DH

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez missed last year with a compression fracture in his left knee.

The Reds medical staff gave him a clean bill of health but the team is proceeding with caution.

"He's doing fine," Baker said. "We are going to use him as a designated hitter tomorrow (Thursday)."

"A lot depends on Gonzo," Baker said.

His health will influence who makes the team.

Mexican Standoff

Several players were teasing Jerry Hairston Jr about playing for Mexico in the WBC.

There was speculation that he is only eligible for the Mexican team because he once at a burrito.

Actually, his mother is of Mexican decent making him and his brother Scott of the San Diego Padres eligible.

"You don't even speak spanish," an unidentified player yelled out.

"I know enough and I'll let my bat do the talking," Hairston said.