Zach Buchanan

zbuchanan@enquirer.com

Rookie Davis wasn’t the only rookie the Cincinnati Reds broke in Thursday, although he was certainly the only one so aptly named. While Davis had a tough major-league debut in a 7-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park, things went better for catcher Stuart Turner.

Turner, who along with Davis formed the first battery to debut together in Reds history, was making the jump from Double-A after being taken from the Minnesota Twins in the Rule 5 draft over the winter. With Devin Mesoraco starting the season on the disabled list, a spot opened up for him on the roster.

Thursday he went 0 for 3, but hit an important sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the fourth to continue a game-tying rally. Behind the plate, he shepherded Davis through three innings and then the bullpen through six scoreless.

“It was a little better than I expected, but when we got out there for that first pitch and stuff, that’s when it hit me like, ‘This is happening,’ ” Turner said. “Rookie goes out and strikes out the first guy, and it let me settle down as well.”

His most impressive moment came in catcher’s gear, which fits with his defense-first pedigree. The game was tied 4-4, and left-hander Cody Reed had just walked his first two batters for the second inning in a row. Phillies shortstop Freddie Galvis showed bunt on the first pitch of the next at-bat, and the runner on second, Andrew Knapp, started for third. When Galvis pulled back, Knapp hit the brakes.

Turner popped up and pump-faked several times, scooting farther and farther toward second while he goaded Knapp into picking a direction. Knapp decided to scramble back to second, and Turner fired to Zack Cozart for the out. A double play ended the inning.

“I tried not to panic, tried to stay under control,” Turner said. “We joked that I broke out the stepping up in the pocket, the quarterback shuffle. It was just let him commit and try to deliver a strike.”

The throw was impressive, but what stood out to manager Bryan Price was Turner’s patience. Some inexperienced players would have shot first and asked questions later, allowing the runner to head safely in the opposite direction. Turner let Knapp get himself out.

“Due to the environment, you certainly could see someone getting overzealous and fire a back-pick throw to second and have the runner just advance to third base,” Price said. “He handled that situation perfectly.”

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