Price doesn’t always seek 2nd replay opinion
drew 1,793,679.
Second baseman Scooter Gennett was not in Price’s starting lineup Friday. Gennett hasn’t played since injuring his left hand on Tuesday in St. Louis. He was scheduled to take batting practice before Friday’s game for the first time since the injury, which would help determine whether he could pinch hit.
Gennett already has set a career high with 24 home runs. If he hits one more, he will become the fifth Red with at least 25, tying the franchise record set in 1956 when right fielder Frank Robinson was named Rookie of the Year with 38 homers, followed by left fielder Wally Post with 36, first baseman Ted Kluszewski (35), center fielder Gus Bell (29) and catcher Ed Bailey (28).
Votto leads this year’s Reds with 34 home runs, followed by left fielder Adam Duvall with 31, right fielder Scott Schebler with 26 and third baseman Eugenio Suarez with 25.
Taking time: Walking wounded:
Lefthanded relief pitcher Wandy Peralta, out since Sept. 2 with a right hip injury, threw on the side before Friday’s game, the next step in returning to the bullpen.
Center fielder Billy Hamilton, who went on the disabled list Sept. 7 with a left thumb injury, is expected to keep wearing a splint for the next couple of days, but there was a chance he still could play before the season is over.
“We’ll have a better idea when he’s out of the splint,” Price said.
Familiar foes:
Today’s 4:10 p.m. game features starting pitchers who are quite familiar with their opponents.
Reds rookie right-hander Sal Romano (4-6, 4.54 ERA) will be making his third start of the season against Pittsburgh. He is 0-2 with a combined 3.86 ERA in his first two, including a 3-1 loss at Pittsburgh on Sept. 3 in which he allowed four hits and two runs, one earned, in 5⅔ innings.
The start for Pirates righthander Ivan Nova will be his fourth against the Reds this season. He is 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA in the previous three, allowing 26 hits and 15 runs, 12 earned, with three walks and 12 strikeouts in 17 innings.