Leake, Bailey solid in final spring tuneups

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Two pitchers who had mild injury issues in Spring Training, right-handers Mike Leake and Homer Bailey, faced each other on Saturday in the Reds' final exhibition game of the spring, a 5-1/2 inning matchup against Triple-A Louisville at Slugger Field.

Leake, pitching for Louisville after his scheduled start on Friday against Double-A Pensacola was rained out, allowed two hits and no runs in six innings, though the Reds did push across a run in the fifth after he'd recorded three outs. The official scorers decided to not count anything that happened after three outs, leading to a 1-0 Bats win.

Leake certainly enjoyed this outing better than his last, when Milwaukee pummeled him for nine hits and eight runs (seven earned) in four innings.

"Today, I was better as far as getting the ball down in the zone," said Leake, who had a slight abdominal strain early in camp, but remains scheduled to start on Friday against the Mets in New York. "I felt as good today as I did in my last start, but I threw the ball a little better."

Bailey, set back by a groin strain, allowed one hit and one run with two walks and three strikeouts in three innings. He is scheduled to start on Thursday against the Cardinals in Cincinnati.

"The key thing was getting Homer and Mike Leake to pitch," manager Bryan Price said. "Mission accomplished there. It was imperative that they threw the ball today."

The game was threatened by rain, which prompted the decision to end it after 5 1/2 innings. The Reds then rode buses back to Cincinnati, where they get Sunday off before opening the season Monday against the Cardinals at 4:10 p.m. ET.