Homer's night: Reds 4, Giants 2

Homer Bailey was very impressive in his return to the Reds. He went 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out three.

After giving up a ground RBI single in the first, Bailey retired 15 in a row. He was gone after giving up a two-out double to Randy Winn in the sixth.

“We took him out after 80 pitches there because – although he has thrown 90 pitches (in a simulated game) -- it wasn’t against real competition,” Pete Mackanin said. “We wanted to get him out on a positive note.”

Bailey's velocity was impressive -- plenty of 94s, a few 95s and 96s and one 97. Giants didn't run out their A or B lineup, but Bailey good. He threw strikes -- 51 of his 80 pitches were strikes. He was able to get his breaking stuff over consistently.

“He wasn't facing (Barry) Bonds and (Omar) Vizquel and the rest of the boys,” Mackanin said. “But he showed pretty good command of his fastball and his breaking ball. He looked like he confident. We were very happy with what he saw coming out of his hand.”

The big thing for Bailey is he’s healthy. He tried to pitch through the groin problem. He said he originally hurt it on June 26 in Philadelphia. He made four starts after that – two for the Reds and two for Louisville – before going on the disabled list.

“You want to be out there,” Bailey said. “But once it gets to a point, you’ve got to start using your noggin. It’s good to be healthy and get back with the team.”

Bailey looked savvy and polished.

“He looked ‘pitcherish, pitchesque maybe,’” Mackanin said. “I was very happy with what I saw. It bodes well for the rest of the season.”