In a day marked by a quasi doubleheader for the Cincinnati Reds, the major league team initially seized the lead in the late stages of the game, only to relinquish it in the subsequent half-inning to Seattle. However, the focal point of the day was the unfortunate injury to TJ Friedl, who left the game in the 2nd inning due to a wrist injury.
Seattle and Cincinnati engaged in a see-saw battle, witnessing four lead changes and two innings ending with the game level. Both sides rallied to snatch the lead late in the game, with the Mariners ultimately securing a victory in the 9th inning.
Seattle took an early 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning through consecutive doubles, with Taylor Trammell, a former Reds prospect, initiating the scoring. However, the momentum may have shifted had it not been for TJ Friedl’s wrist injury during a diving play, transforming a potential bloop single into an RBI double by Ryan Bliss. Friedl’s departure from the game was later confirmed to be due to a sprained wrist.
Nick Lodolo allowed only one run throughout his outing, striking out four batters and walking two in 2.2 innings pitched during his second appearance of the spring.
Cincinnati responded in the bottom of the 2nd inning, with Jonathan India’s single and subsequent run off Nick Martini’s 2-run home run propelling them ahead. They extended their lead to 3-1 with Mike Ford’s single and Tony Kemp’s RBI double.
However, the Mariners tied the game in the 4th inning against Alexis Diaz, with Seby Zavala’s 2-run homer leveling the score. Seattle then grabbed the lead in the following inning courtesy of Sam Haggerty’s leadoff homer against Emilio Pagan.
The Reds mounted a comeback in the bottom of the 6th, with Elly De La Cruz’s double followed by Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s single. Seattle regained the lead with two runs in the 7th inning off Justin Bruihl, fueled by Dylan Moore’s single after a walk and a double, making it 6-4 in favor of the Mariners.
Cincinnati’s offense surged again in the 8th inning, as Francisco Urbaez’s single and Encarnacion-Strand’s triple tied the game at 6-6. P.J. Higgins’ double and Mike Ford’s RBI extended the Reds’ lead to 7-6 after a pitching change for Seattle.
Seattle retaliated in the top of the 9th, with Spencer Packard’s leadoff single and Tyler Locklear’s 2-run home run putting them ahead. Subsequent singles by Ben Williamson and former Reds prospect Robbie ‘Byrd’ Tenerowicz preceded Alberto Rodriguez’s decisive 3-run homer, extending the Mariners’ lead to 11-7. Despite Evan Kravetz striking out the next two hitters, the Reds failed to rally in the bottom of the 9th, resulting in their 9-8-2 spring record.