Errors mar second start for Reds’ Alcantara

Cincinnati Reds fans have gotten used to learning new names. Six players have made their big-league debuts with the Reds this season.

Arismendy Alcantara is no rookie, but he’s a new Red and made his second start of the season Sunday and his first at second base.

Alcantara didn’t endear himself to Reds fans with two errors in a 4-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park. He dropped a foul pop out in the first inning. While the Brewers failed to score, the drop was one reason rookie starter Sal Romano had to throw 35 pitches in the inning.

RELATED

Reds lose game, series to Brewers

Hamilton makes amazing catch

In the third, Alcantara bobbled a ground ball off the bat from the lead-off hitter, Eric Thames. The next batter, Ryan Braun, hit a two-run home run. Travis Shaw followed with a solo home run. That was all the offense the Brewers needed.

The errors were uncharacteristic for the the Dominican Republic native Alcantara, 25. Entering the game, he had made seven errors in 98 career games with the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s.

“It’s his second start of the year,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “He’s amped up to play. He wants to play well. He’s trying to impress in his opportunities to play. That has to play itself out. He has to get back to saying, ‘Whatever they’re asking me to do, I’m going to do it, and I’m going to do it the way I’m comfortable doing it.’ When he does that, he’ll settle in nicely. He’s a nice little player. He fits the bill for exactly what we need from a utility player.”

Injury update: The Reds placed starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with a shoulder injury. He left a game Saturday against the Brewers at Great American Ball Park after one inning.

“With this particular injury with Brandon, we can realistically expect him to be back here in a few weeks,” Price said, “But it’s not going to be one or two weeks and he’ll be back in the mix. At least two to three weeks of rest. This is something they can re-scan and check on the healing and decide if he can start throwing.”

Rotation change: The Reds adjusted their starting rotation for the week ahead, announcing Bronson Arroyo will start Tuesday in the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles with Amir Garrett and Scott Feldman to follow.

Price said last week he wanted to break up Arroyo and Feldman, who had been starting in back-to-back games, because they are both right-handed veteran starters. If the rotation had continued as scheduled the left-handed Garrett (2-0, 1.42 ERA) would have started Tuesday and been followed by Arroyo (0-2, 9.90) and Feldman (1-1, 2.87).

About the Author