Mayor booed in Reds’ farewell

Posted Apr 2, 2009 by TBO.com

Updated Apr 3, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Fans booed the mayor before Cincinnati’s final spring training game in Florida, which the Reds lost to the Pittsburgh Pirate 6-5.

Reds starter Edinson Volquez failed to make it out of the fourth inning with a sloppy performance — five hits, three walks, three runs.

Only 2,935 fans showed up for the last game, less than half the capacity of Ed Smith Stadium. The Reds have trained in Florida since the 1920s, but are moving to Arizona — the site of their first camp in 1891 — to share a complex with the Cleveland Indians.

The Reds wanted to stay in Sarasota and offered to sign a long-term lease if the facility was upgraded. Voters rejected a stadium tax hike in 2007 and local politicians declined to commit $18 million to the facility, prompting the Reds to leave.

Robertson trying to hang on despite dismal spring
LAKELAND - Nate Robertson knows he’s at a career crossroads.

The left-hander was told by Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland that he would start the season in the bullpen, but before an 8-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, Robertson said he’s ready for anything, even if that means leaving Detroit.

“I am 31 years old and I know I can still be a durable pitcher for somebody,” Robertson said. “I know I can be a starting pitcher in the big leagues.”

Robertson has been a Detroit Tigers starter since 2004, but had the worst season of his career in 2008, going 7-11 with a 6.35 ERA in 28 starts. He had no guarantees this spring except that he would get a chance to compete for one of the final spots in the rotation.

Robertson got shelled early and often this spring, allowing 12 earned runs in 17 2-3 innings. He was beaten out by rookie Rick Porcello and Zach Miner for the final two spots behind Armando Galarraga, Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson.

Wind fuels flaming plate performances
Ryan Zimmerman hit two home runs off Jamie Moyer and the Washington National overcame Ryan Howard’s 10th longball of spring training to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 12-10 Thursday.

The 46-year-old Moyer, entering his 23rd major league season, gave up 11 hits and nine runs in four innings. He is scheduled to start the Phillies’ second game, Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves.

“The ball was flying out of there today, wasn’t it?” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “When the wind is blowing like it was today and they’re hitting balls in the air, you have a chance to give up some runs. But Jamie knows what he’s doing.”

Howard, who led the major leagues with 48 home runs and 146 RBI last year, hit a two-run shot to the opposite field on the first pitch he saw from Nationals left-hander Scott Olsen in the bottom of the first, one of eight homers Thursday.

AP Wires were used in this report.