Gennett bumps Peraza:
Animals always CINCINNATI — have been welcome on Cincinnati Reds fields, from cows on Farmer’s Nights to Clydesdales and elephants on opening day to a cheetah racing Billy Bates back in 1990 to, of course, the several editions of Marge Schott’s beloved St. Bernards.
The collection grew by one more species Saturday when a donkey named Amos showed up for batting practice before Cincinnati’s game against the Washington Nationals.
He was one of three on hand — the other two were scheduled to be available for fans in the Kroger Fan Zone — from Honey Hill Farm in Pendleton County, Kentucky. They were the latest chapter in the saga that started when shortstop Zack Cozart told first baseman Joey Votto that he liked donkeys and Votto promised to buy Cozart one if the shortstop made the National League team for the All-Star Game.
The Reds were encouraging fans to submit names for Cozart’s donkey at donkey@reds.com.
Manager Bryan Price said a donkey on the field was among the top five oddities he’s seen on baseball fields down through the years.
“There are certain things that probably shouldn’t be seen,” Price said, mentioning Morganna, the “Kissing Bandit” of the 1970s who would jump out of the stands and run out to smooch a player. “I think (a donkey) is great. ... I just think this is good gamesmanship between teammates. I’m enjoying it.” Second baseman Jose Peraza was not in the lineup for Saturday’s second game of the four-game series with Washington. He wasn’t ill or injured, Price said.
“He’s fine,” Price said. “I’ve just got to find some ways to get Scooter (Gennett) in there.”
Gennett, the left-handed hitting Lebanon, Ohio, native claimed off waivers from Milwaukee on March 28, already has set a single-season career-high with 15 home runs, and his 47 RBIs are the most by any National League player with as few as 209 at-bats. He hit .389 with three doubles, six home runs and 10 RBIs over his past 15 appearances before the All-Star break, and that was after his historic four-homer, 10-RBI game against St. Louis on June 6.
Slight adjustment:
The bullpen session catcher Devin Mesoraco was allowed to warm up pitchers during the game as he continues to test the strained left shoulder that sent him to the 10-day disabled list July 3.
“This will give us a better opportunity to see how he’s doing. We should know by the end of this series whether he needs a rehab assignment or will be ready to be activated,” Price said.