Matthews Jr. hitless in first game with Louisville - MLB

The Reds handed outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. a contract last week and stuck him in Triple-A so that he could build some confidence and perhaps help the big league club in the long-run. That was the plan, at least.

Matthews Jr. made his debut for the Louisville Bats on Saturday and you may be able to guess what happened. Batting leadoff, he finished 0-for-6 with five strikeouts as the Bats fell to the Norfolk Tides 4-3. Here’s the box score, in case you’re all in need of a good laugh.

The 35-year-old had a .190 batting average, a .260 on-base percentage and a .241 slugging percentage in 58 at-bats when the Mets released him in June, so the struggles should come as no surprise. He’s washed up. A shadow of his former self. All that jazz.

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers will retire the No. 34 jersey of pitcher Fernando Valenzuela during a three-day celebration this summer.

Valenzuela was part of two World Series champion teams, winning the 1981 Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards. He was a six-time All-Star during his 11 seasons in Los Angeles from 1980-90.

He will be honored from Aug. 11-13 when the Dodgers host Colorado.

Valenzuela will join Pee Wee Reese, Tommy Lasorda, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Jim Gilliam, Don Sutton, Walter Alston, Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Don Drysdale with retired numbers.

“To be a part of the group that includes so many legends is a great honor,” Valenzuela said. “But also for the fans, the support they’ve given me as a player and working for the Dodgers, this is also for them.”