Riggleman on the Reds' third straight win. The Enquirer
SAN FRANCISCO — The Cincinnati Reds bullpen has a huge part of the six-game winning streak the Reds took into Monday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.
The relievers had gone 23 1/3 innings during the streak and allowed only two runs. The relief corps put for four scoreless innings Saturday and three scoreless Sunday.
That’s all well and good, but Reds manager Jim Riggleman would like to tweak things going forward. He wants his two veteran right-hander Jared Hughes and David Hernandez to get back to being one-inning guys for the most part.
The two combined for the last 12 outs Saturday. Riggleman wants to leave the extended outings to the long guys — Austin Brice, Dylan Floro and Wandy Peralta.
“You’d like to have guys who can go multiple innings,” Riggleman said. “With Hughes, we’ve done that more than I’d like. Like to get him back in three- or four-out situation instead of six outs. Same thing with Hernandez. Guys like Brice, Floro and Stephens and Wandy, they’ve been more accustom to two innings-plus.
“Hernandez and Hughes are two guys we’d like to back off a bit. When (Micheal) Lorenzen gets here, it could help in that area.”
Lorenzen, on the disabled list all season with a shoulder strain, threw a scoreless in a rehab assignment with Double-A Pensacola Monday. His return is not that far off.
“With not having to be stretched out as much, I think he’s got a schedule where he will go at least three more times,” Riggleman said. “We want to get him to where he does throw back-to-back days and-or multiple innings.”
“Then he’ll take at least a day off. We’re probably looking at a week-to-10 days.”
Reds right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen struggled in his second start of spring training Thursday against the Chicago White Sox The Enquirer/Adam Baum
Lorenzen will make a strong bullpen, even stronger. The Reds lead the majors in relief pitching since April 27 with a 2.60 ERA as well as strikeouts by relievers with 77.
“It’s very comforting to know you can go to someone and they’re not overwhelmed by the situations from the seventh to the ninth inning,” Riggleman said. “They’re composed. They’re throwing strikes. You don’t always get them out. But, if you’re throwing it over the plate like our guys are doing, somebody can make a play for you and get out of an innings.”
REHABBING: Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani went three perfect innings in his first rehab start for Double-A Pensacola. He struck out four.
He only threw 31 pitches, but his first inning was interrupted by a 21-minute rain delay. The plan was if he any long innings to finish up in the bullpen to reach his 60-pitch limit.
Lorenzen threw in the same game. He allowed a hit and struck out one. It was his first rehab outing as well.
ADD ONE: The Reds will add a pitcher in the 26th-man role for the day-night doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs Saturday — but not to start.
Luis Castillo and Sal Romano will start the games, although the order has not been set.
“Our starters are on the normal day because of the off day,’ Riggleman said. “(The 26th man) would just be another guy to help out.”
POW SCOOTER: After hitting a home run in four straight games, Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett was named the National League Player of the Week, announced Monday.
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Gennett, who grew up in Lebanon, had 13 hits in 22 at-bats last week, adding 10 RBI and seven runs. The 28-year-old won the award last year during the week he homered four times in one game.
It’s the second time a Reds player earned player of the week honors this season. Joey Votto received the recognition at the end of April.
Gennett rested a sore shoulder at the beginning of the month, coming off the bench in four straight games. Returning to the lineup, he's helped spark the Reds offense throughout their six-game winning streak.
GIANT KILLERS: Entering Monday, the Reds had a 40-27 against the San Francisco Giants since the 2008.
That’s highest winning percentage of San Francisco opponent.
Enquirer Reds reporter Bobby Nightengale contributed to this report.