The Cincinnati Reds organization will have 17 players participating in the World Baseball Classic this spring. Some games have officially begun, while some teams are playing exhibitions as they get ready for their pool play to begin. Wednesday saw several of the Reds players get their first action on the field for their country.
There are two Reds players pitching for Colombia and both of them get into their exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics in Arizona on Wednesday. Reiver Sanmartin allowed the only two runs that Oakland scratched together on the day as he walked a batter and gave up two singles. Pedro Garcia came out of the bullpen for the 8th inning and worked out of a bases loaded situation to hold onto a 1-run lead, while striking out two batters in the process.
Puerto Rico faced off against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday afternoon. There are three Reds players on the roster for Puerto Rico and two of them got into the game. Outfielder Henry Ramos came off of the bench and went 0-2 while taking over in left field. Coming out of the bullpen in the game was Fernando Cruz. He threw a perfect inning, striking out two batters in the process.
Venezuela also played in an exhibition game in Florida on Wednesday afternoon. The only Reds player suiting up for Venezuela got into the game. Silvino Bracho came out of the bullpen and like Fernando Cruz he threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts.
Nicaragua faced off against the New York Mets in Florida and held them to one hit in the game. Steven Leyton started the game at shortstop for Nicaragua and went 0-4.