The Cincinnati Reds played two games yesterday, allowing both Aroldis Chapman and Mike Leake to start on the same day.

The comparisons between the two will be constant throughout the Spring, as both are vying for the 5th starter’s slot. With Leake, we have a good idea what he brings to the table: a solid, average starter with the potential for a little more. With Chapman, we know how he did as a lights-out closer last year, but no one knows how the conversion to a starter will affect him.

If yesterday’s results are any indication, it could go very well. Chapman pitched two perfect innings. That’s no runs, hits, and no walks. He struck out one.

As is common in the beginning of Spring Training, Chapman threw mostly off-speed pitches.

“I feel I could locate the pitches where I want,” he said. “The results, you saw what happened. The results were good. I was really happy.”

I think everyone is, except maybe manager Dusty Baker, who’s likely to lose his favorite closer.

As for Leake, he was, well, average. In two innings, he allowed one run. But in a somewhat uncharacteristic fashion, he struck out three.

I’m rooting for Chapman to succeed as a starter. But having Leake as insurance is a very nice policy.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Reds (2-4)	0	1	0	0	0	6	1	1	5	14	16	2
Diamondbacks (2-3)	3	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	6	8	0

Boxscore

The Cincinnati Reds rode two big innings to a win yesterday, but that wasn’t the real story. No, that belonged to Johnny Cueto, who pitched for the first time since straining an oblique in the first game of the playoffs last year.

Cueto’s outing wasn’t awesome, but he reported no pain from his injury. His final line was 2 innings, 4 runs (2 earned), 1 walk, and 1 strikeout. It’s very nice to see him back on the mound again.

The Diamondbacks’ lead vanished quickly in the 6th. The Reds scored a total of 6 runs. Kris Negron hit a triple to drive in a run. Joey Votto singled in a run. Donald Lutz doubled to drive in 2 more. And Henry Rodriguez finished the scoring with the final RBI.

The Reds scored more runs later in the game, putting it further out of reach.

Today the Reds will split up their squad. One group will travel to play against the Colorado Rockies at 3:10 pm, while the other group will stay in Goodyear to host the Diamondbacks. Aroldis Chapman starts against the Rockies, while Mike Leake starts against Arizona.

The deadline is approaching, and Joey Votto still hasn’t decided about playing for Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

“Not yet,” he said. “I’m still trying to get my legs under me.”

So far, Votto’s performance in Spring Training has been good, indicating his knee is doing better. In four games, he has a home run and four RBI. Oh, and his on-base percentage is an amazing .600.

Apparently, Team Canada is scheduled to play the Reds on March 7th. Assuming Votto does join the roster, he has decided about that game.

“I don’t want to play in that game (against the Reds) with Team Canada. I’d be torn.”

I empathize with his decision. He gets paid to play for the Reds every year, but the chance to represent his country in a world competition only comes a handful of times. I’d rather he didn’t participate, but I do trust him to keep himself healthy should he decide to do so.

It’s only Spring Training, but yesterday Joey Votto hit his first home run in a baseball game since June 24. That was two knee surgeries and one disappointing playoff appearance ago, in case you were counting.

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s video of the shot from the press box is below.

This is just great to see, and it has nothing to do with the Reds winning their first game of the Spring. Votto having his power back, along with his awesome everything else, makes this team so much more dangerous.