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Ford went 2-for-3 with a walk and two solo home runs in Thursday's spring game against the Mariners.
Ford extended his hit streak to seven games, during which he's 13-for-24 with three homers and seven RBI. He's hit safely in nine of 10 Cactus League games and struck out just three times over 33 at-bats. That's he's still around in camp is a positive sign for his chances of making the 26-man roster. Ford is limited to first base defensively, but the Reds are down a corner infielder while third baseman Noelvi Marte serves an 80-game suspension, with Jeimer Candelario expected to replace Marte at the hot corner. Cincinnati manager David Bell typically makes a point to have multiple utility players on his roster, but with a third of the projected Opening Day roster sidelined -- in addition to Marte, Matt McLain (shoulder) and TJ Friedl (wrist) will not be available -- Ford could provide experience behind Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base, leaving Jonathan India and Spencer Steer to shuffle around to other positions.
