Bradley gets second ejection in 3 days
March 20, 2010
GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP)—Chris Heisey(notes) had a pinch-hit, two-run homer—the firstof four off left-hander Jason Vargas(notes)—and the Cincinnati Reds powered their wayto a 6-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners, who lost outfielder Milton Bradley(notes)to another ejection.
Bradley was thrown out by plate umpire Jon Merry in the fourth inning fortossing his bat after taking a called third strike. It was his second ejectionin three days.
Bradley also was kicked out in the third inning of an 8-1 loss to Texas onWednesday, when he took a called third strike, put his bat down and stayed inthe box until plate umpire Dan Bellino ejected him.
The Cubs traded Bradley to the Mariners last December for pitcher CarlosSilva(notes) after another season of outbursts. Bradley was suspended for one game lastseason for arguing a called third strike, and was sent home early from a gameafter he attacked a water cooler after popping out. Chicago suspended him forthe final two weeks of the season after he criticized the atmosphere surroundingthe team.
In his first at-bat, Bradley had an RBI double off Aaron Harang(notes), who had hisbest performance of the spring. The right-hander, who will pitch the Reds’season opener, allowed six hits and one run in five innings, striking out six.
“I’m ahead of where I’ve been in past springs,” Harang said. “I threwabout 60 (pitches) tonight. Next I’ll throw 90, then 100. I’m excited about howthis team is playing.”
Heisey, the Reds’ minor league player of the year in 2009, connected in thefifth off Vargas, who gave up seven hits and six runs in five innings of relief.Drew Stubbs(notes) had an inside-the-park homer, and Scott Rolen(notes) and Laynce Nix(notes) alsohomered off Vargas, who is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Vargas made 14 starts and nine relief appearance for the Mariners lastseason, going 3-6. He came into the game in the first inning after Joey Votto’s(notes)line drive caromed off the right forearm of starter Doug Fister(notes), who was calledup on Aug. 8 last season.
“There is a little discomfort, but it looks worse than it feels,” saidFister, who expects to get precautionary X-rays. “I’m not sure what’s in store.It’s a little stiff but that’s about it.
“It’s frustrating. We work out all offseason to prevent injuries, but thisis something you can’t control,” he said.
Stubbs, who has the inside track on the starting job in center, went 3 for3. He was batting .100 heading into this week, but has gone 6 for 9 in the lastthree games with four extra-base hits.
NOTES: The Reds optioned RHP Enerio Del Rosario, RHP Sam LeCure, 2B ChrisValaika and LHP Pedro Viola(notes) to Triple-A Louisville. C Devin Mesoraco wasassigned to Louisville. … The Reds allowed the pitcher to bat for the firsttime this spring. … Mariners OF Ken Griffey Jr.(notes) did not make the trip to facethe Reds, his former team. … Vargas had not allowed a run in 8 2-3 inningscoming into the game.
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