Hairston's slam lifts Reds over Rays

Reds at the plate: Joey Votto got the Reds' first hit of the spring when he singled off Jason Hammel in the fourth. Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce then followed with singles, but Rays center fielder Fernando Perez threw out Votto at the plate. ... Jerry Hairston, Jr. hit the first home run at the newly renovated Charlotte Sports Park when he connected for a grand slam in the fifth against Rays left-hander Randy Choate.

Rays at the plate: Carl Crawford got the team's first hit of the spring when he lined a single into left field with one out in the first. ... Newly acquired DH Pat Burrell struck out swinging in his first at-bat as a Ray.

Reds on the mound: Edinson Volquez started and allowed two hits and a walk in three innings, striking out Evan Longoria swinging to end the third. ... Johnny Cueto followed Volquez with three scoreless frames in which the right-hander allowed no hits. Volquez and Cueto will be headed to the Dominican Republic's camp next week to prepare for the World Baseball Classic. ... Homer Bailey, who is competing for the Reds' fifth spot in the rotation, looked sharp while retiring the side in order in the seventh.

Rays on the mound: Carlos Hernandez started and pitched two scoreless frames. He would have retired all six of the hitters he faced had Gabe Gross not dropped a sinking liner that would have been the final out of the second. The left-hander recovered nicely by getting the next hitter to ground out to end the inning. ... Rays fans got their first look at reliever Lance Cormier, who pitched one inning of scoreless relief, and was aided by a nifty 9-6 putout that saw Rays right fielder Justin Ruggiano throw behind Reds runner Laynce Nix. Reid Brignac caught the throw and applied the tag for the third out.

Grapefruit League records: REDS 1-0; RAYS 0-1

Up next: The Reds host the Twins on Thursday at Ed Smith Stadium. Right-hander Micah Owings will start for the Reds and will be opposed by Nick Blackburn. The Rays will travel to Tampa Thursday to play the Yankees at George Steinbrenner Field. Right-hander Wade Davis will start for the Rays and will be opposed by right-hander Phil Hughes.