Jumbo Diaz overcame a rough spring to lead the way for the Cincinnati Reds‘ bullpen in the team’s opening day 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Diaz started the seventh inning in relief of starter Raisel Iglesias. He retired the bottom of the Phillies order in just seven pitches. He also retired one batter in the eighth before lefty Tony Cingrani was brought in.
In his scoreless 1.1 innings, Diaz had complete command of his 95 mph heater and breaking balls. He struck out one batter and showed some nimble athleticism for his 280-pound frame by springing off the mound to snatch a bunt attempt for a hit.
The initial effort by the 32-year-old Diaz was a welcomed sight for the Reds. He was tagged in nine Cactus League innings this spring. He had a 7.00 ERA and 1.89 WHIP. Opponents batted .354 against him.
Diaz first cracked the major leagues with the Reds at age 30 in 2014. He posted a 3.38 ERA in 34.2 innings that year but struggled last year with a 4.18 ERA in 60.1 innings.
Diaz entered the 2016 season opener with the Reds trailing 2-1. Cingrani followed him in the eighth with a leadoff walk and a strikeout before he was replaced by Ross Ohlendorf, who retired the only batter he faced on a swing-and-miss 94 mph fastball.
After the Reds rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead, closer J.J. Hoover pitched the ninth in a non-save situation.
Hoover benefited from two defensive gems by left fielder Tyler Holt and center fielder Billy Hamilton to retire the side in order.
Ohlendorf was credited with the win, but the whole back end of the bullpen met its first challenge of the year with three scoreless innings.
The Reds’ bullpen remains a question mark in terms of how successful it will be in 2016, but the early returns of its 2016 version without Aroldis Chapman has some promise, especially if Diaz can power pitch his way to keeping the Reds in close games.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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