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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2010 > March > 14 > Entry
Harang gets an ‘A’ in a ‘B’ game
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - It is evident it is a ‘B’ game when opposing players wear uniforms with the numbers in the 80’s and 90’s and their names are not on it.
That didn’t matter at all to Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aaron Harang Sunday morning at Field No. 1 at the spring training complex.
Harang faced a Cleveland Indians ‘B’ lineup sprinkled with unfamiliar names, other than Travis Hafner, who batted in each of the three innings to get at-bats. Harang walked him and retired him twice.
Harang pitched 4 1/3 innings, 62 innings worth, giving up no runs, two hits, two walks and he struck out two. Then he pronounced himself satisfied with his morning work.
Harang pitched four innings and after the third out pitching coach Bryan Price yelled for everybody to stay on the field so Harang could face a couple more hitters. He gave up his second hit then retired a batter on a deep fly to center.
“In ‘B’ games it’s nice because it is a controlled atmosphere and it lets you get your full work in and your full amount of innings in,” said Harang. About Hafner batting every inning, Harang said, “It’s good to see some familiar guys, some big-league guys getting extra at-bats.
“I felt like I was getting ahead early,” he said. “We were tinkering with some things and sometimes I felt as if I was rushing things, but I was able to get back under control, gain my composure and get right back on track. I worked on throwing some change-ups early in the count. It’s something you work on to take into the season.
“I felt good,” he added. “I’m still working on a few changes that we’ve made and there is still work to be done there.”
WHEN HARANG left the game the Reds ‘B Boys’ led, 3-0, with Juan Francisco hitting a two-run home run - his third homer in two days.
ONCE EVERY four full moons, Paul Janish hits a home run. It was daylight Saturday, so a moon check wasn’t possible when Janish cleared the left field fence for a home run in Mesa against the Chicago Cubs.
“I’m competing in camp with Juan Francisco as the young power prospects,” Janish said with a laugh.
While Janish hit a wall-scraper Saturday, Francisco launched two space shuttles for home runs.
“That guy has power from foul pole to foul pole,” Janish said, talking about the 22-year-old Francisco, a rookie third baseman. “And any pitch that isn’t in the dirt he can knock out of the park. With him, the adage is true - any moving bat is a dangerous bat.”
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By Matt Alban
March 15, 2010 10:56 PM | Link to this
Hal: Can you REALLY rely on “B” game results? I realize the idea is to get work in,regardless,during the spring,but c’mon !
By Chavez
March 15, 2010 10:05 AM | Link to this
Hey Hal, Any thought to a post or two about the Dayton working group in camp? I’m sure there is an interesting storyline or two.
By Yodasbrother
March 15, 2010 8:03 AM | Link to this
Hopefully with Bryan Price the changes will all be good changes and get Harang on the right track. I am glad they are not trying to repeat the same approach and then expect a different outcome.
By Gary Maloy
March 15, 2010 4:47 AM | Link to this
I know that I’m putting the proverbial wagon ahead of the horse… but with the average age of this team being about 24-25 (ignore Arroyo & Harang - they’re gone next year anyway) - will the Reds be able to afford keeping this team together once these kids are arbitration and free agent eligible. Don’t shoot the messenger…it’s just a thought. I’m just wondering if other people have had the same thought.
By Mike
March 14, 2010 4:55 PM | Link to this
Isn’t that what all pitchers sa when they haven’t been doing well? I’m working on this or that. or I,m just getting some innings in, or yaddy-yaddy-yadda!! I just hope he gets back to his old form of a couple of years ago. We need pitching, not excuses!!! GO REDS!!!
By Mike
March 14, 2010 4:55 PM | Link to this
Isn’t that what all pitchers sa when they haven’t been doing well? I’m working on this or that. or I,m just getting some innings in, or yaddy-yaddy-yadda!! I just hope he gets back to his old form of a couple of years ago. We need pitching, not excuses!!! GO REDS!!!