Game 2 Preview: Rockies @ Reds
After dropping the first game of the three game set to the Colorado Rockies, the Cincinnati Reds hope to stop what has been one of the worst weeks in more than 20 years for the franchise.
Photo Credit, WCPO: Reds Pitcher Michael Lorenzen
Following Monday’s loss to Colorado, it marked the ninth straight game in a row that the Reds have lost. If the Reds lose tonight, it will not only mark the the tenth game in a row, but it will also guarantee a fourth straight lost series for the Cincinnati ball club.
The Reds are going to turn to rookies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (1-1, 3.79) will toe the rubber against his counter part in Chris Rusin (3-2, 6.29). Rusin was called up from AAA Albuquerque. Jorge De la Rosa was projected to start for the Rockies tonight; however, a late scratch from the line up due to a cut on his finger.
Rusin has made two starts in his career against the Reds, earning a career 0-1 record with a 5.73 ERA between 2012 and 2013. Lorenzen will be making his first start against the Rockies.
The Lineup for the Reds tonight looks like this:
- SS, Zack Cozart
- 1B, Joey Votto
- 3B, Todd Frazier
- RF, Jay Bruce
- C, Brayan Pena
- LF, Marlon Byrd
- 2B, Kristopher Negron
- P, Micheal Lorenzen
- CF, Billy Hamilton
Two noteworthy line up mentions tonight. Brandon Phillips has been scratched from the lineup tonight from a turf tow injury that he re-aggravated earlier this week. Also, Billy Hamilton will continue to bat ninth. There was speculation during Monday’s game whether or not Pitcher Jason marquis was batting ahead of Hamilton because Marquis has a reputation of being a solid hitting pitcher, but after another night where the line up is shifted it looks to be a more permanent role for Hamilton. This season when Hamilton is batting 7th in the order or later, he is hitting 4-19, which is about the same mark that he was hitting at the top of the order.
This also means that because Phillips is not playing along with Hamilton’s new role, that Zack Cozart will return to the top of the order as the lead off man. This season as a leadoff hitter Zack Cozart is hitting .063/.211/.063. Against the Rockies he is hitting .197/.240/.298 over the last three season (2012-2014).
Votto remains stationed at the two-hole which he had a solid game last night driving a double off the Left Field wall and driving a couple of other pitches for line outs or deep flies.