Dusty Baker is a Fan of Mismatches

by
February 26, 2009

Dave mentioned this tidbit yesterday, but I figured I would expand on it.

The first game of spring training usually serves as a dress rehearsal. The starters – those who are not partaking in the World Baseball Classic or injured – wave to the home crowd, play an inning or two in the field – just long enough to get a plate appearance — then call it a day. This leads to lineups that resemble the team’s Triple-A squad. Naturally, this leads to some rather lopsided match-ups if the other team has a legitimate starting pitcher on the mound.

But how about three in one game?

That’s what Dusty Baker threw the American League champions yesterday. The Rays christening of their new spring home didn’t quite go to plan. Joe Maddon followed the aforementioned tradition, running out such wunderkinds as Jon Weber, Ray Olmedo, Chris Richard, and Elliot Johnson. Heck, the Rays even started former Houston Astros’ starter Carlos Hernandez. So imagine the results when the Cincinnati Reds started Edinson Volquez, brought Jonny Cueto in to relieve Volquez, then handed the game to Homer Bailey.

Unsurprisingly, the trio would plow through a ragtag lineup, totaling seven innings of two-hit ball while walking two and striking eight out. Aaron Fultz and Jared Burton would close the game out, holding the Rays to four hits, six baserunners, and zero runs.

At least one thing went well for the Rays as Carl Crawford, the longtime face of the franchise, recorded the first hit in Charlotte Sports Park.

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12 Comments
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Victor
16 years ago

Surprised he didn’t just ask Volquez to throw a complete game

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IC
16 years ago
Reply to  Victor

This just made me spit out my coffee, cartoon-style.

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Nick
16 years ago
Reply to  Victor

This was an all-time great comment. I think that it should maybe be enshrined somewhere in Cooperstown, as it was truly Hall of Fame worthy.

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mojowo11
16 years ago
Reply to  Victor

The funniest thing about this comment is that for a split second, my brain went, “Yeah, that would’ve been a very Dusty Baker thing to do.” Then I realized that it’s spring training. And oh did I laughify.

On a related note, the Reds are due for a great offensive year, having replaced Adam Dunn (who clogs up the bases) with Willy Taveras.

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Kevin
16 years ago
Reply to  mojowo11

mojowo – that’s $5 for FJM-baiting.

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