Cingrani looks sharp in spring debut against Rockies

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Morning showers put Saturday's Reds-Rockies game in doubt, but skies cleared about an hour before first pitch.

As the Rockies bussed across town with their originally planned lineup, Reds manager Bryan Price exercised extra caution and pulled his starters. That included Brandon Phillips, Billy Hamilton and Skip Schumaker.

In the end, it was the Reds that came away with a 3-2 victory

Cincinnati took a 2-0 lead in the second inning against Rockies starter Jordan Lyles. Brayan Pena led off with a double off the wall in right-center field and scored from third base on Ramon Santiago's single to center field. After Santiago stole second base and took third on a groundout, he scored on a passed ball.

Colorado got on the scoreboard in the third inning against Reds pitcher Chien-Ming Wang. Paul Janish hit a one-out single, followed by a Charlie Blackmon double. The first of Nolan Arenado's three hits in the game was a two-out infield hit to the shortstop that scored Janish.

Wang, who is seeking a rotation spot with Cincinnati, gave up one run and five hits and struck out two over his two innings.

Neftali Soto's RBI single off of Matt Belisle in the bottom of the third gave the Reds a two-run lead. Belisle was able to prevent further damage by escaping from a one-out, bases-loaded jam to end the inning. Wilton Lopez and Rob Scahill each followed with a scoreless inning of work.

The Rockies picked up a run in the fifth against Nick Christiani when Angelys Nina's sacrifice fly to right field scored Janish.

Over his two scoreless innings, Reds starter Tony Cingrani allowed one hit and struck out the side in the top of the second inning. Relievers Manny Parra and Sam LeCure each pitched a scoreless inning.

"Cingrani was sharp. The pitching as a whole was good. We threw the ball really well. The great thing about Tony is he got his changeup over, threw a couple of good breaking balls and got a strikeout on a breaking ball. He had good fastball location, so it was a great start to his season," said Price.

Reds up next: Many regulars -- including Hamilton -- should be playing when the Reds face the Padres at 3:05 p.m. ET in Peoria on Sunday. Right-hander Brett Marshall is scheduled to make the start for Cincinnati against San Diego's Tyson Ross. Listen live on Gameday Audio.