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Bailey watches bullpen squander lead

Jun 14, 2007 - 9:56 PM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Cincinnati Reds rookie Homer Bailey picked the wrong time to get wild.

Bailey worked six-plus innings before watching his bullpen implode as the Reds dropped a 9-7 decision to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the rubber game of a three-game series on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Bailey entered seventh inning with a 5-3 lead. However, he departed after issuing consecutive walks to start the frame.

Bailey failed to get bailed out by his bullpen as the Angels scored six times in the inning. The righthander wound up allowing five runs and seven hits, walking three and striking out one.

"I felt great. I didn't feel tired at all. It was a hot day, but that had nothing to do with it," Bailey said. "I just backed off. I was trying to do too much. Their 8-9 hitters, they're good hitters, but they're guys you've got to attack and not let them beat you. The scoring is unfortunate. I should be taking the loss for this team."

Bailey threw eight strikes to retire the side in order in the first.

"The kid has good stuff. Maybe he got a little tired," Angels' manager Mike Scioscia said. "He came right after us in that first inning. He has nice power, and when he gets experience with his curve and change-up, he'll be a good pitcher."

Righthander Gary Majewski (0-1) relieved Bailey and took the loss without recording an out. Chone Figgins greeted the reliever with a two-strike single to load the bases, and Majewski walked Orlando Cabrera to force home Reggie Willits. Vladimir Guerrero followed with a two-run single to give the Angels a 6-5 lead.

"Really rough to go out and do the exact opposite of what I wanted to do," Majewski said. "Homer pitched a (heck) of a game, and to come in and give up another pitcher's runs I have to be better than that."

Cincinnati manager Jerry Narron continued to see inconsistency from a reliever that he is counting on to turn one of the league's worst bullpens around.

"He makes good pitches, and then he makes mistakes and gets hurt by it," Narron said of Majewski. "He makes a couple of good pitches and then he just does not locate it and gives them something good to hit."

Lefthander Mike Stanton replaced Majewski and surrendered a sacrifice fly to Gary Matthews Jr. and an RBI single to Casey Kotchman.

Kotchman continued his hot hitting, finishing with three hits. He has five multi-hit games in his last nine contests, raising his average to .330 on the season.

Howie Kendrick drove home the ninth Angels' run with a single.

"Kotch had some key hits. Molina got a big two out hit. Willets and Eric (Aybar) set the table," Scioscia said.

Bartolo Colon (6-2) picked up the win. The veteran righthander pitched six innings, allowing five runs - four earned - and seven hits, walking one and striking out seven.

Colon missed his June 2 start with tendinitis in his right triceps.

"I threw more strikes. As for taking a step forward, I felt about the same," Colon said. "I had better command. I was able to bend my back and keep the ball down."

The Reds staked Bailey to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Adam Dunn singled home Scott Hatteberg. Bailey walked Matthews to start the second inning, and the speedy center fielder promptly stole second.

After an out, Kendrick lined a single to center field. Matthews stopped at third, but scored when rookie Josh Hamilton allowed the ball to get under his glove.

Willits delivered a run-scoring single later in the inning to give the Angels a 2-1 lead.

"That's why he's getting more playing time," Scioscia said. "We need more than the middle of our lineup to produce."

The Angels tacked on another run in the third when Cabrera led off with a double to deep center field off Hamilton's glove. Cabrera stole third on the next pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Guerrero.

Hatteberg, who had four hits, singled home Chad Moeller in the fifth to bring the Reds within 3-2. Ken Griffey Jr. tied the score when he led off the sixth inning with his 17th homer of the season and his 479th of his career to deep center field.

"I tried to freeze him with a fastball inside like I did earlier," Colon said. "I looked up and the ball was over the center field wall."

Norris Hopper walked with two outs, and Alex Gonzalez ripped his 12th home run of the season to give the Reds a 5-3 lead.

"I felt the game was getting away from us. This is the major leagues and we can lose on any night," Matthews said. "We had some good at- bats and when we're consistent collectively with solid at bats, we'll be all right."

Hopper replaced Hamilton, who was suffering from dizziness, in center field to start the fifth inning.

"Hamilton said he felt ill," Narron said. "Somebody told me during game, 'Josh didn't look well during BP.'"

Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez allowed a run in the ninth inning before recording his 21st save of the season.