On 1st day with Reds at Speedway, Littell, Andujar driven by chance to make postseason

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- It was a quirk that they couldn't have planned for. Two of the newest members of the Reds acquired on Thursday before the Trade Deadline -- starting pitcher Zack Littell and outfielder/infielder Miguel Andujar -- put on their new uniforms for the first time at the Speedway Classic.

So while the Reds were playing the Braves on Saturday, their first official day with the club was in neither Cincinnati nor Atlanta but Bristol, Tenn., for a one-of-a-kind game.

“Crazy first day," said Littell, who was acquired from the Rays. "Kind of out of sight, out of mind if you’re not playing in it. I knew it was going on but I didn’t think much of it. To get to be here and do it -- I’ve never done the themed games or international stuff -- so it’s cool.”

The A's were in Sacramento when Andujar was traded. He had to fly from there to a connection in Atlanta to reach Cincinnati to meet the team. The team flew to Tri-Cities Airport on Saturday morning for the game.

“It’s fun here," said Andujar, who was acquired from the A's. "A lot of fans will be here tonight. It’s a new experience for me and maybe everybody here.”

Littell, 29, will make his debut on the mound on Tuesday vs. the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He was 8-8 with a 3.58 ERA in 22 starts and 131 1/3 innings with Tampa Bay this season and has a 3.83 ERA in 224 career appearances (69 starts). He was enjoying the chance to join a team trying to make the postseason.

“Anytime you get to go somewhere and compete and try and make the playoff push is really exciting. I’ve heard nothing but great things about all the guys and the staff," Littell said. “A lot of people can look at trades a lot of different ways. I’d like to think I am here for a reason and I’m just excited to do what I can to help.”

The second-to-last start of Littell's time with the Rays came vs. the Reds in Cincinnati. In a 7-2 Reds win, he allowed five earned runs and 10 hits, including two home runs. Littell is aware people are skeptical about his pitching at cozy Great American Ball Park because he leads the Majors with 26 home runs allowed.

“You’re going to have those days," he said. "I’m not blind. I’m on social media. I’ve seen all this stuff about me and Great American Ball Park and leading the league in home runs [allowed]. But it’s not like I’m coming from somewhere that was a graveyard, right? Steinbrenner [Field] wasn’t a whole lot better. There’s a million things that go into it and at the end of the day, it’s about execution and making pitches when I need to.”

Andujar, 30, entered Saturday batting .298/.329/.436 in 60 games for the A's this season, with six home runs, 10 doubles and 27 RBIs.

“I’m super happy to be here with this team," Andujar said. "It’s a new opportunity for my career. I’ve enjoyed the guys when I come here.”