Rockies-Reds Game 3 Preview

CINCINNATI- Reds right-handed starter Homer Bailey and Rockies righty starter Juan Nicasio, who will face each other this afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game set at Great American Ball Park. Also, we want to say, from all of us at RFB, Happy Mother’s Day to all the great ones out there.

Alright, back to baseball.

Bailey walked five, including one intentionally, over six innings and threw 110 pitches in a no-decision as the Reds fell to the Red Sox, 4-3, in 12 innings.

“They had some really good at-bats,” Bailey said. “Of course, I was kind of all over the place, and they took advantage of it. I had several walks, which is kind of uncharacteristic of me. … It was just one of those games that I had to grind out.”

Nicasio came out better.

He also walked five, against the Rangers. To his credit, he did not let that hurt him. Nicasio gave up just two hits and a run as the Rockies coasted to a 12-1 victory at Coors Field.

Nicasio has won his past two starts, going seven strong innings and driving in three runs in a 7-4 victory over the Mets on May 1.

It appears the key for Nicasio is getting through the sixth inning. Of his 62 career starts, Nicasio has pitched six or more innings 26 times. In those games, he is 14-2 with a 2.08 ERA, with wins in his past seven decisions of six or more innings.

First pitch is at 1:10pm, TV: FSN OHIO, RADIO: 700 WLW.

May 1, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 8-3. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Notes:
Entering Sunday, Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton had not been in the starting lineup for eight days since he sprained two knuckles on his left hand on May 1 while making a diving catch. Hamilton had a pinch-hit double in the eighth inning Friday night during Cincinnati’s win in the series opener, but manager Bryan Price was not ready to start him on Saturday.

“We’re still evaluating there just to make sure he’s 100 percent, 100 percent,” Price said. “A funny thing Dusty [Baker] used to say was that when you feel like a guy is ready, you give him one more extra day. I think all things considered, one extra day in this case allows him to get more swings right-handed, which is the side that’s given him more trouble. You can expect him to be in there [Sunday]. I think that’s safe to say.”

Over his previous 18 games, Hamilton is batting .340 (18-for-53) with nine stolen bases. He has appeared in three games since his latest start either for defense, pinch-hitting or pinch-running.