Image 16 of The Advocate Messenger April 16, 2012

B8 MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2012 SPORTS THE ADVOCATE-MESSENGER WWW.AMNEWS.COM but he leads the Admirals with a .667 on-base percentage thanks in large part to 10 walks and only two strikeouts in 38 plate appearances — a sign that he has become more particular at the plate. “I used to be probably the worst free swinger on our team. I’d swing at the first pitch every time.,” he said. “This year I’ve worked on seeing pitches and making pitchers work, and it’s worked out.” Like other power hitters, Harmon has had to adjust to new bats with less pop that were mandated for this season. “They’re not that different, but the sweet spot’s a little smaller,” he said. “I’ve tried to adjust and hit for contact instead of power, trying to get on base.” That approach is working well, and that’s fine with him. He has helped anchor the top of the lineup during an early-season period in which the Admirals have struggled at times on offense, and he said he thinks the entire team will be hitting much better by season’s end. “We definitely can turn it on, and this year our defense and pitching is so good, we don’t even have to score a bunch of runs,” Harmon said. doesn’t even yet know where all the pieces will fit in the puzzle. Last year he John is that he’s had to teach the same way the last had a good idea how things three or four years with the would shape up. Next year he won’t. He has a little bit one-and-done (players). of the pressure of opportuHe has developed a style nity, but that will be dampthat is really effective. He ened some because of all just has to follow his past the green (inexperienced plans and he will come players). But he will reAP Photo Manuel Balce Ceneta back with the same kind of spond to that on his own Cincinnati outfielder Ryan Ludwick, right, rounds third bases after hitting a grand slam during the first in- pressure. ning of Sunday’s 8-5 win over Washington. “He has another No. 1 re- merit. He knows last year is cruiting class. He is used to gone.” Hall dealt with some going through all that rehigh profile talent in his training every year. is tenure at UK. at gives year it was easier because him an even greater apprehe had Miller, (Terrence) ciation for how Calipari reJones and (Doron) Lamb cruits big-time players and that had been through it. gets them to buy into a He comes back next year team-first mentality. with (Kyle) Wiltjer and the “Cal’s players are intellitransfer (point guard Ryan gent enough to do what he Harrow) and that’s about says. ey take coaching,” all he’s got. He’s really got WASHINGTON (AP) — his work cut out. But he has Hall said. “You find players Joey Votto ensured the a knack for rising to the oc- that buck that, but Cal has a way to bring them around. weekend in Washington casion. He did a great job with (Dewasn’t a total loss for the “He will go into the seaReds. son with a top three or four marcus) Cousins. ere’s just no place for a hot dog Votto hit a two-run douteam being predicted. ble in the 11th inning SunMaybe they will be better at or selfish player. ey are not going to make it with day and the Reds avoided a the end of the year and four-game sweep with an 8compete for the Final Four. Cal. Cal quickly recognizes the attitudes of players and 5 victory over the Nationals He is accustomed to that gets them straightened out on Sunday. kind of pressure. e presand does it in a hurry. You The Reds, who had sure is already on and he see that happen in the first scored just 10 runs in losing five of six, scored their most runs in a game this season. way God wired him to go all Ryan Ludwick hit a grand UK, from B1 out. at is why he is what slam in the first and Cincinhe is. He has really good visure he wants to be out there sion and he plays really hard nati led 5-0 in the fourth. every play, but he under- and he plays with a lot of But Washington scored stands the personnel groups passion.” three in the bottom of the and different things. After fourth and another run in practice, you can’t tell if he the fifth before tying it on Question: Has Williams played six plays or 46 be- added weight? Ian Desmond’s RBI single in cause he just goes out there the seventh. Pardue: “He has, but all of and works hard every day.” our guys have gotten “You hate a sweep, especially a four-game sweep, stronger. at is something Question: Could he be a coach (Joker) Phillips and they were threatening receiver out of the back- wanted. He wanted the to knock on the door,” Reds field? manager Dusty Baker said. whole team to get bigger, Pardue: “Yes. He has good stronger. Maybe not do as “We got out of here with hands and is a guy you want much running in the winter one.” to use in that role. I am not time to get bigger and In the 11th, Drew Stubbs, AP Photo Manuel Balce Ceneta sure he will not possibly stronger physically and it who had been 1 for 15 in the series, singled off Tyler Clip- Cincinnati relief pitcher Jose Arredondo got the win Sunday when grow into playing some tail- has paid off for us.” pard (1-1) to open the in- the Reds scored three times in the 11th inning to beat the Nationals 8- back, too. We have talked about that just for depth bening. After Wilson Valdez 5. Question: What has the seventh when Rick cause of what happened last George done specifically tried unsuccessfully to bunt, with him. The Reds took a 4-0 lead Ankiel led off with a double. year. When you get guys that you have liked? Zack Cozart singled — his third of the game — and in the first. Cozart singled With one out, Baker lifted banged up in this league, Pardue: “He is real deVotto, who was walked in- with one out, and after Votto Leake for Logan Ondrusek, you better have some guys pendable. I know what I am tentionally his previous two was called out on strikes, who allowed a two-out RBI ready to roll.” going to get out of him every at-bats, doubled to left on a Rolen bounced a ball to single to Desmond — his day. He has been here Question: What is the longer than I have and really 2-0 count. Scott Rolen fol- shortstop. Desmond’s throw third of the game. NOTES: Reds 2B Bran- biggest difference with understands what we are to first pulled Adam lowed with an RBI single. “Finally, they couldn’t LaRoche off the bag, and don Phillips started for the Sanders? Is he more explo- doing offensively. I think he walk Joey. We had some Desmond was charged with first time in six games. He’d sive, quicker? has gotten better and better. Pardue: “Quicker and has As his confidence grows, he runners on base. That was an error, though television been out with a left hamreplays appeared to show string injury, but appeared more explosion. He is plays better.” big,” Baker said. to aggravate the injury when healthy, so that makes a big Votto was 1 for 4 in his Rolen was out. Jay Bruce walked and, on he doubled leading off the difference. He had a really previous appearances Question: How is Josh good offseason in the weight Clemons coming along a 2-2 pitch, Ludwick ninth. against Clippard. He was immediately re- room. He has come back after knee surgery that “Tyler’s a really difficult launched a grand slam to guy to face. I don’t think I’ve left-center off Ross Detwiler. placed. “When you have a strong.” ended his freshman year had a very good track record Detwiler threw 38 pitches in pulled hamstring and youre after six games when he Question: Does anything was leading the team with a squat-down, legs-type hitagainst him and I don’t par- the first. In the Reds’ first nine ter like Brandon, youre put- change with Williams now 279 yards rushing and two ticularly like facing him,” games, they were batting ting pressure on your legs that he has gone from a touchdowns? Votto said. Jose Arrendondo (1-0), just .191, and hadn’t scored playing second base and former walk-on to being Pardue: “Unfortunately, the fourth Cincinnati more than two runs in an then when he took that one No. 1 on depth chart? the trainer spends more Pardue: “No. at’s the time with him than I do. I swing and I was like, Oh, no, pitcher, threw a scoreless inning. Cincinnati scored its fifth I hope hes not hurt again,” 10th. Sean Marshall worked the 11th for his first save of run in the fourth on Ryan Baker said. ... Cincinnati 3B Miguel Cairo missed the Hanigan’s RBI single. receiving another honor — the season. Washington got its first game with a strained left ESTES, from B1 the Danville City Commis“Ludwick’s first home sion will give her the key to run as a Red, Marshall’s first hits off Reds starter Mike hamstring. top-flight talent. Baker said he’ll be reevalsave as a Red, and a lot of Leake in the fourth. “I think it improved me a the city. “at was a huge surprise. firsts today. Hopefully we Desmond and Danny Es- uated on Tuesday. ... Wash- lot. Coming from that and can have some seconds, pinosa began the inning ington RHP Craig Stammen then coming to high school It was over spring break and thirds, fifteens, twenties and with singles. Ryan Zimmer- pitched four innings in ball, it’s kind of shocking. It’s I just had just gotten home on down the line,” Baker man walked to load the three games this series and really two different levels. and mom said she got a call bases, and LaRoche hit a struck out nine. ... Cincin- Even coming from here to that I was going to get a key said. Washington, which had two-run single. Bruce, in nati is off on Monday and summer (softball), every- to the city for my softball,” right field, bobbled the ball, opens a three-game series body there wants to play the she said. “at was shockwon five straight, is 7-3. “We’ve won every series. and the runners moved up. in St. Louis on Tuesday. game and everybody wants ing. I was like, ‘What? (counI think that’s our main goal Zimmerman scored on RHP Johnny Cueto (1-0, to win,” she said. “It really try music singer) Eddie — especially at home,” Clip- Mark DeRosa’s infield out to 2.25) is scheduled to pitch improved my game, and it Montgomery has a key to against RHP Kyle Lohse (2- taught me to always be ag- Danville, I didn’t expect me make it 5-3. pard said. With one out in the fifth, 0, 1.35). ... The Nationals gressive and always have the to get it. I mean, I’m just a Manager Davey Johnson revealed that Clippard has pinch-hitter Roger Bernad- open a four-game series drive and determination to teenager.’ So that was really cool.” had shoulder discomfort, ina walked and scored on with Houston on Monday. do the best I can.” Estes said honors such as but said he was fine to pitch Desmond’s double and RHP Stephen Strasburg (1Because of that drive and 0, 0.69) faces RHP Kyle Wei- determination Estes has, she getting to play oversees and on Sunday. Clippard said Cincinnati led 5-4. The Nationals tied it in land (0-1, 7.20). there was nothing wrong recently found out she was getting the key to the city are two weeks of practice every year. Kids taking 20 shots a game in high school, they don’t do that here. He can sell that to a super star like Davis. He has got the system to handle the one-anddone. A lof of coaches don’t know how to do that. You’ve got to be a special coach to do that year after year.” Hall thinks Calipari was also “special” for taking the national championship trophy to various cities in eastern and western Kentucky last week. Hall was part of the tour on Friday (he couldn’t go on ursday because of a scheduling conflict). “I was absolutely amazed that the people would turn out in those numbers,” Hall said. “ey were so enthusiastic and excited. Cal did a great thing. He let them all come up 20 to 25 at a time and have their picture with him, his wife, some assistant coaches and the trophy. People were just wanting to touch the trophy and feel a part of it. To not have any players and have that response just to see the trophy was absolutely amazing.” HARMON, from B1 tonight against Boyle County Tuesday. The 6-0, 195-pound Harmon got bigger and stronger and developed into more of a power plant last season. He was moved to the cleanup spot this year to provide protection for No. 3 hitter Lasure and provide more power for the Admirals, but the power hasn’t been there. “It’s a little bit different,” Harmon said. “Last year I had quite a few home runs and RBIs, and this year I don’t have as many RBIs.” Harmon has only one home run and seven RBIs, VIEWS, from B1 Votto has big hit in Reds’ 8-5 win feel good about him mentally. He is in all my meetings and is with us in groups. e thing about Josh is that he’s a mature kid. A lot of kids his age, they can’t handle being injured. ey kind of turn off the learning switch, but he hasn’t. He is pretty much on top of everything. It definitely hurts you not getting reps, but we are all on the same page. We need him in August a lot more than we need him now. If we err, we want to err on the side of caution a little bit.” Question: If he’s cleared to play in August, how hard will it be for him to get back in game shape physically and mentally? Pardue: “Again, he is so mature. He takes cares of his body. A lot of it will be when does he get to start training all the time again. I don’t see it being a problem. I really don’t. Again, I learned my first year last year that you can’t have enough of those guys. Really, my goal is to have six guys that I feel good putting in there. So I definitely see Josh being in that rotation of guys.” Question: What has happened with Brandon Gainer? Pardue: “You need to ask coach Phillips that, not me.” nice, and she is appreciative that she is being recognized. But she wants to focus on helping the Ads improve. In the preseason, she wasn’t sure how good her squad would be, especially after a couple of rough scrimmages. But Danville is sitting at 8-7 heading into today’s 45th District contest at home against Garrard County. “We’re a really young team and we’ve been doing a lot better than I thought we were going to. I didn’t get my hopes up too high,” she said. “But we’ve really come through in some important games, so that’s cool.”