Cingrani, Hamilton lead victory over D-backs

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Reds and the D-backs wrapped up their Cactus League seasons on Thursday with a split-squad tilt at Goodyear Ballpark. 

The Reds' 9-1 victory marked the final tuneups for left-hander Tony Cingrani of the Reds and right-hander Randall Delgado of the D-backs. On Thursday morning, Reds new manager Bryan Price named Cingrani as his No. 2 starter

And Delgado was all but assured a spot in the rear of the Arizona rotation with the demotion to the Minor Leagues on Thursday of hard-throwing right-hander Archie Bradley.

"I heard nothing about that, but if you say that, I guess I'll just wait for the manager to tell me what's going on," Delgado said.

Asked if it's a big deal to him, Delgado said: "Yeah, that's what I'm waiting for, you know? I haven't been thinking about what's going to happen, I haven't been worrying, no concerns. Just waiting."

Cingrani will pitch the second game of the season against the Cardinals on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

"I'm more excited to be breaking camp with the team for Opening Day," Cingrani said before taking the mound. "It's a pretty big role and I'm very excited about that."

Cingrani, who was an interim starter for the Reds last year when staffmates sustained injuries, worked easily into the fourth until allowing a Nick Evans homer, his first of the spring. Cingrani's final line included one run on five hits over seven innings, with six strikeouts and two walks.

Delgado had his problems in the early going, giving up single runs in both the first and second. Speedy center fielder Billy Hamilton was the culprit, going 3-for-4 with a pair of triples. He opened the Reds' first by drilling his first triple into the gap in right-center and scored on a grounder to third after the throw was made to first base.

Hamilton had an RBI single in the second, giving the Reds a 2-0 lead.

"He's been terrific in every way," Price said about Hamilton. "His overall approach about what he needed to do to get better has been impeccable. He's been great at seeing pitches. He's been great about keeping those high fly balls out of the air. He's brought an air of confidence I wasn't sure was going to show up."

Mike Costanzo hit a two-run homer, scoring Ruben Gotay, who singled, off Cesar Carrillo in the seventh inning for a 4-1 cushion. Felix Perez doubled home a run and Ray Chang drove in another as the Reds collected five straight hits off Carrillo, who gave up four runs and retired no one.

Chien-Ming Wang worked a scoreless seventh inning for the Reds, who scored three more runs in the eighth off of Jess Todd.

Up next: The Reds broke camp after Thursday's game and headed to Pensacola, Fla., where they play the Double-A Blue Wahoos on Friday night at 7:05 ET (live on Gameday Audio). Mike Leake will make the start. On Saturday, the Reds move on to Triple-A Louisville for a 4 p.m. ET start, with Homer Bailey on the mound vs. the Bats. After an off-day on Sunday, the Reds open the regular season Monday at 4:10 p.m. ET at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Johnny Cueto is slated to make his third consecutive Opening Day start.