Peraza’s hitting up since move
Bryan Price CINCINNATI — believes Jose Peraza can be a dynamic top-of-theorder hitter.
That might eventually be true, but Peraza might be too valuable further down in the lineup to move.
Since being dropped from second April 30 in St. Louis, Peraza batted seventh in five of the next six Reds games before being bumped to sixth for Saturday’s second game of a three-game series against San Francisco.
Peraza already was showing signs of warming up before the move, with hits in three consecutive games, but since the adjustment, he’s extended his hitting streak to a career-high nine games.
The second-year second baseman, who took over for the traded Brandon Phillips, went into Saturday hitting .359 with a double and five RBIs during the streak. He’d boosted his overall average to .265 in 27 games.
“I’ve been feeling good since day one,” Peraza said through interpreter Julio Morillo. “Sometimes things don’t go the way that you want it to. I trust in my hands and the things that I do. Hopefully, now, the hits start coming.”
The Reds won five of the first six games since Peraza essentially traded slots with shortstop Zack Cozart, who’d strung together a modest three-game hitting streak going into Saturday.
“It’s worked out well,” Price said.
Brice impresses:
Righthander Austin Brice became the 19th pitcher to work for the Reds this season when he had three strikeouts while allowing one hit in two innings of Cincinnati’s 13-3 win over San Francisco on Friday.
“He threw the ball great,” said Price. “It’s a different slot. He has a very unique throwing stroke — little bit lower elbow. There’s some deception and very explosive life to his fastball. ”
Brice was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday when left-hander Cody Reed was optioned to the Bats.
Homer report:
Righthander Homer Bailey threw 30 pitches Friday during his second bullpen session since undergoing surgery Feb. 8 to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, Price said. That was up from the 23 pitches he threw Tuesday. He is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Monday.