Reds’ Arroyo shows rust in return
ST. LOUIS — On Saturday, for the first time in nearly four years, Rick Stowe prepped the tunnel under Busch Stadium's visiting dugout for Bronson Arroyo.
The Cincinnati Reds clubhouse manager found a chair to set up in the dugout tunnel, where Arroyo likes to sit between innings. Next he set out two towels and Arroyo’s in-game snacks: two bananas, applesauce and some water.
For the first time since June 2014, Arroyo was starting a major-league game. For the first time since September of the year before that, he was doing it as a Red.
The creature comforts were appreciated by the 40-year-old Arroyo, who spent the past 2 ½ years working to return from elbow and shoulder surgeries. And while his first start back didn’t go like he wanted — four innings, six runs and two screaming homers from St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz in a 10-4 Reds loss — Arroyo couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
“It doesn’t help the ballclub out, it means nothing to maybe the other 24 guys in this locker room,” Arroyo said. “But for me personally, it was a victory to get out there and throw that first pitch.”
He gave up two runs in the first inning, but that didn’t concern him. Diaz jumped on a 1- and- 0 fastball for a shot to left to make it 1- 0 two batters in. Another run scored when Yadier Molina blooped a double into no-man’s land near the right- field line.
It was an at- bat in the fourth that cost the Reds and had Arroyo (0-1) steamed at himself after the game. With a runner on second and two outs, Arroyo surrendered a single to pitcher Michael Wacha (1-0). Dexter Fowler followed with a walk, and Diaz yanked another liner out of the stadium to make it 6- 1.
“I’d hit my spots four or five times in a row and then miss one by two feet, which isn’t that indicative of the way I usually pitch,” Arroyo said.
Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler each homered for the Reds.