Iowa State Cyclones Coach Matt Campbell Reminisces About Deshaunte Jones David Montgomery And Chris Dukes

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell grew up in Ohio's football capital of Massillon, Ohio. It is the town in which the Hall of Fame coach of the Cleveland Browns and original owner of the Cincinnati Bengals made a reputation for himself before moving on to Miami University and Ohio State. Then on to the NFL.

Campbell is loosely following a similar path. He played at Massillon and NCAA Division III power Mount Union before graduating into coaching. there.

He spent five season as the head coach at the University of Toledo, where he coached Colerain High School grad, Chris Dukes. He also coached with University of Cincinnati coach, Scott Satterfield.

Dukes has moved on to Central Michigan to coach himself. to coach defensive backs under head coach. Matt Drinkall's staff.

"I heard he's doing a great job," Campbell said. 

Campbell developed relationships in south west Ohio and recruited several players from this area, specifically former Colerain players DeShaunte Jones and his brother Keonte Jones. But the most famous of all is David Montgomery, who graduated from Mt. Healthy high school but played alongside the Jones boys in middle school at Colerain Middle, along with Kyle Bolden, the son of former Colerain and current Lakota West head coach, Tom Bolden.

Tom Farmer, 1971 Colerain grad and former University of Kentucky tight end.

“They were phenomenal,” said Farmer. “Great athletes, great runners and great kids.”

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery has played in the NFL for over six seasons, appearing in 92 games and an additional five postseason contests. Sunday Montgomery gets a chance to play in Cincinnati for the first time.

“A bunch of my family members are coming, I think it is special for me that I get to play at home,” Montgomery said. “But I think it is really special for me because my sister gets to come to the game.”

His sister, Kiki, was left paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident last February. On Sunday, she will get to see her brother play in person.

“Almost a year and a half ago, on Valentine’s Day, my sister got in a really bad car accident. Now she is paralyzed from the neck down. And she obviously can’t move," Montgomery said. “But this will be the first game that my sister can actually see me play with her own eyes so I’m super super excited about that and I’m just happy that she’s able to be there.”

Because of  Montgomery being at home visiting family, Campbell was not able to connect with him even though his Iowa State Cyclones played the University of Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium.

"It was really awesome," Campbell said. "One of the fun things about being somewhere 10 years is that you get to these different areas and cities. Obviously, you know how much this area means to our recruiting from Dayton down to Cincinnati and some of the great players. We have great gratitude from seeing Deshaunte today and last night at the hotel. It means a lot to me and again, sometimes we get lost in all the other stuff. It is fun for those guys to come back and be around our program. I know David's coming in for a big game. Obviously, we'll all be pulling for him. We have a large cheering section in Ames, Iowa for those guys. We are really proud of them."

 

Cincinnati Outscores And Outlasts Number 14 Iowa State

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Cincinnati Bearcats jumped out to a big lead early and downed the Iowa State Cyclones 38-30 for its second Big 12 win.

Evan Pryor rushed for 111 yards on 10 carries and Tawee Walker contributed 87 yards on 13 carries.

Brendan Sorsby threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa State's Rocco Becht threw for 314 and Abu Sama III ran for 96 yards in a losing effort.

The Cincinnati (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) ambushed the banged up Iowa State Cyclones to post its second conference win in as many weeks. Iowa State was 5-0 with a conference win over Arizona last week. The Cyclones (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) were ranked 14th in the Associated Press Poll this week.

The Bearcats scored on its first two possessions at Nippert Stadium. Evan Pryor capped a six play 80-yard drive carrying the ball to the endzone from 30 yards out. The Bearcats were stymied by a holding penalty but Stephen Rusnak kicked a 38-yard field goal to extend the lead.

After forcing a turnover on downs at its own 30, Cincinnati scored on its third possession with Brendon Sorsby tossing 12 yards to Noah Jennings to put the home team up 17-0 against the beat up Cyclones, who have 13 players out with injury.

Rocco Becht ran 14 yards for a score early in the second quarter to put Iowa State on the scoreboard.

Logan Wilson returned the kickoff 36 yards to set up the Bearcats third touchdown, an 18-yard run by Pryor 1:06 later, capping a 65-yard drive.

Cincinnati scored again on a defense that allowed just 14.2 per game with 1:08 left in the first half. Sorsby ran for the final 20 yards giving the Bearcats a 31-7 lead at the halftime.

The Cyclones were missing its top two kickers. Walk on freshman, Chase Smith missed a 35-yard field goal.

With no time left in the half Mathew McDoom appeared to intercept a Becht pass in the end zone but McDoom was penalized for interference. Becht ran it in from the four on the final timed play of the half. The Cyclones converted on a two-point conversion on a pass to Benjamin Brahmer to set the halftime score to 31-15.

Iowa State took 14 plays and consumed 6:54 to score off the second-half kickoff. Becht found Brett Eskildsen in the corner of the endzone from 11 yards out. Smith kicked the extra-point and the Cyclones trailed by nine points.

Chance Williams returned the kick to the Iowa State 46 yard line.

The Bearcats turned the ball over running an option play at the 40 yard line. Iowa State recovered with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter. The Bearcats had the ball for three plays.

Cincinnati had three big plays called back on its best fourth quarter drive. A 19-yard run by Tawee Walker was called back by a block below the knees, a 26-yard pass to Caleb Goodie was nullified by an offensive lineman downfield as was a 52-yard pass to Noah Jennings.

Cincinnati held the Cyclones on downs at the Cincinnati 16 with a chance to run the clock out with 7:40 left in the game. On a third and 18 play, Sorsby found Goodie for an 82-yard score with 5:57 left. It was Cincinnati's longest pass play since Gunner Kiel completed an 88-yard play in 2015.

Becht completed a three-yard touchdown pass to Chase Sowell with 1:56 left in the game and converted for two points on a pass to Brahmer.

Missing kicker Kyle Konrady affected Iowa State's coach Matt Campbell's decisions. Chase Smith a walk on freshman was a huge drop off in talent. 

"It affected our decisions but we prepared for it," Campbell said. "Obviously its a unique challenge but we prepared for that challenge too. Those are moments, you have to make some of those moments.You have to win some of those moments. The reality is we just didn't have the ability to make some of those moments. But obviously we're super grateful for what Chase is doing. He is giving us a chance. That's all you can ask for. We're really proud of him and like I said when a good player goes down everybody else has got to be able to step up."

The Cyclones were thin at cornerback too. Jeremiah Cooper suffered a season-ending injury four games after moving from safety to cornerback at the start of the season. They were missing Beni Ngoyi, who appeared in the first five games and Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman. 

"I thought the new corners made some really good plays," Campbell said. "Quentin Taylor down in the red zone made a couple really good plays. Obviously Tre (Bell) is continuing to play good football. Give them credit there was a 50-50 ball and they were able to make a play. That's going to happen to every corner in America. David Coffey went in and at least from an early evaluation did a great job in the game and got in at corner. We're not flinching there. We feel we have some really good football players and they will only get better. They got a chance to show up today and did some really good things.

Reds Hall of Famer Frank Robinson Remembered

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

 Frank Robinson's passing on Thursday at the age of 83 on February 2019 closed the chapter on any pretense of a youth for this writer.

Robinson, no relation to Jackie Robinson who broke the color line for Major League baseball, was a pioneer none the less.  The spindly baseball player out of a mixed race neighborhood in Oakland, California, became the first manager of his race in both leagues.  He was a player-manager with the Cleveland Indians in 1975 and the San Francisco Giants in 1981.

Robinson graduated from McClymonds High School in Oakland in 1953, six years after Jackie Robinson debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  "He blazed the trail for all of us after him," Frank said of Jackie.

He returned the favor although, Robinson would rather be known as the great Hall of Fame player that he became through an intense determination.  As a rookie in 1956, he tied the existing rookie record for home runs with 38, winning the Rookie of the Year Award as a 20-year old.   Known for crowding home plate and not budging, Robinson also led the league in getting hit by 20 pitches.  Robinson was the league leader in being hit by pitches in nine seasons.  The feared slugger on an improving Cincinnati Reds team, preceding the Big Red Machine.

Robinson was the favorite player of most kids born in the 1950's in Cincinnati.  Elsewhere in the baseball world, he played in the shadows of Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron.

My memories of Robinson from an early age was getting angry when pitchers like Don Drysdale and Bob Gibson would knock him down with close pitches.  Even a youngster could see the determination in face as he dusted himself off.   I can remember where I was when Robinson slid hard into Milwaukee Braves third baseman, Eddie Mathews. Robinson was trying to stretch a double into a triple but was thrown out at third. Mathews who was a boxer in his youth knocked Robinson down with a hard right.  Both players were ejected (Robinson was replaced by Gus Bell, the grandfather of the current Reds' manager, David Bell.)/  Robinson came back to hit a home run and a double in the second game of the doubleheader that day as the Reds swept the Braves.

 I was 12 the day that I got news in late 1965 that my favorite player was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Milt Papas, Jack Baldschun and Dick Simpson.  I was furious.  Reds' owner Bill DeWitt traded him because Robinson was an "old 30" in DeWitt's opinion.  I still can't look at DeWitt's picture without a little anger slipping in.   Robinson responded to the challenge by winning the American League Triple Crown for home runs, runs-batted-in and batting average.  He won the MVP and led the Orioles to a World Series win over the hated Don Drysdale and the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a further insult to me, they gave Simpson, Robinson's number 20 which was retired later.

Robinson's statistics are glowing he finished his career fourth on the all-time home run list with 586, behind Aaron, Babe Ruth and Mays.  He is the only man to win the Rookie of the Year, the Most Valuable Player in both leagues and a Manager of the Year Award.

Robinson was born in  Beaumont, Texas on August 31, 1935 to Frank Robinson and Ruth Shaw.  He was the youngest of 10 children.  His parents divorced and his mother moved the family to Oakland in a racially mixed tenement.  He attended McClymonds with National Basketball Association great Bill Russel, playing on the high school basketball team.  Robinson signed with the Reds out of high school for $3,500 by Bobby Mattick.  McClymond's  baseball and basketball coach George Powles, who also coached Robinson on the National Champion American Legion team Bill Erwin Post.  Powles was hired by the Reds as a "bird dog", a man who recommended players to full time Major League scouts.  Powles also helped the Reds sign Vada Pinson and Hall of Famer Curt,  Flood.  Pinson was Robinson's teammate with the Reds.  Flood was traded to St. Louis and is famous for challenging baseball's reserve clause.

It was the high quality competition that sharpened Robinson's competitive nature.

Later Robinson was determined to manage in the Major Leagues.  When told he needed managerial experience to become one, Robinson while still an active player removed the excuse by managing teams in the Puerto Rican Winter Leagues.

He was selected to manage the Indians in 1975, then held the reigns of the San Francisco Giants, the Baltimore Orioles and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals.

It was in my days of covering the Reds for SportsTicker that I finally got to meet my childhood hero.

The first time I got to meet Robinson was during his work for the National League president Bill White.  I was behind a group of dignitaries waiting for the elevator at  Riverfront Stadium.  I didn't realize that they were planning just going to allow the league officials on it but Robinson waved me on to ride with them.

Later when Robinson came back as the manager with the Montreal Expos, I was in his pre-game press meeting.  I introduced myself, as is my habit, "Gary Schatz, SportsTicker."  Robinson shot back as if I needed his introduction, "Frank Robinson, Montreal Expos, number 20."  I smiled and said, "Oh they gave you, a number that's retired here.  I think Dick Simpson wore it."  I proceeded to explain how I hated that Simpson got Robinson's number after the trade.

In 2004 while covering a game between the Expos and Reds, Robinson's team tied the game in the ninth off pitcher Danny Graves.  The game went to 10 innings with the Reds' Todd Jones pitching the top of the 10th.  Robinson let his ace closer Chad Cordero bat with the bases empty and two outs in the top of the 10th.   Adam Dunn's three-run home run off Cordero won the game for the Reds.

Jones said, "Tell Frank, congratulations on a great career as a player,"

It was then that I saw the determined fighter that Robinson was all his life.

Noelvi Marte's Catch And Emilio Pagan's 30th Save Keep The Reds Playoff Hopes Alive

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Nick Lodolo had a great start spoiled with a groin strain but the bullpen and defense finished off the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 2-1 win that keeps the Reds in the running for the final Wild Card entry to the playoffs.

The Reds were clinging to a 2-1 lead with Emilio Pagan on the mound. He had saves in 29 saves in 35 chances and a home run saving catch by Noelvi Marte allowed the anointed closer to extend his career high with 30 saves.

Nick Gonzales flied out routinely to right to start the ninth. Pagan fell behind Bryan Reynolds 3-0 before the Pirates' right fielder launched a pitch toward the right field stands. Marte timed his jump and made the catch to preserve the lead with the second out.

"Under the circumstances, that was one of the best plays, I've ever seen," said Francona a veteran of 46 seasons. "You take the time of the game, the time of the season, how high he got up. After Marte the guy I thought of was Colin Cowgill because he's worked so diligently with him the last three months."

Marte was playing in his 51st game in the outfield after making it to the Major Leagues as a third baseman. He played an unspectacular 38 games at third base before moving to right field. 

"It has freed him (Marte) up which is good," Francona said. "It allowed us to get (Ke'Bryan) Hayes at third. So we have a gold glover at third and we have a guy, who is good and we think is going to be really good in right."

Veteran Red killer Andrew McCutchen lined the next pitch into the right field corner. Marte caught it too.

"I've never had this feeling before," said Marte of robbing a home run. "I saw McCutchen's and I thought, again? But I got it. I feel happy about myself. With all the work, I've put in to see results, it feels great."

From Pagan's perspective on the mound. He didn't think Reynolds ball was not going to go out.

"I'll be honest with you, when he hit it, I thought it was too high," Pagan admitted. "I started watching Noelvi and when he didn't stop going, I thought 'oh no'," Pagan said. "Then he makes an Odell Beckham Jr. catch and saves the day. I didn't think he could get up that high. His glove was in the second row. From my point of view it was pretty awesome.  McCutchen hit what I thought was a really good pitch, down and away. I threw him a bunch of breaking balls yesterday. I thought if I stuck one down and away, I might get a free strike but he was ready for it and he hit it well."

The Reds broke through in the fifth inning against Braxton Ashcraft. Ke'Bryan Hayes, who broke a career-high 0-for25 slump in the third inning, singled again with an infield hit to open the bottom of the fifth. TJ Friedl doubled. Hayes was ruled safe on a relay from Alexander Canario in center field to Nick Yorke to Joey Bart the catcher. The Pirates challenged and the call was overturned. Marte singled Friedl home and Gavin Lux chased Ashcraft with an RBI single.

Kyle Nicolas took over for Pittsburgh. Spencer Steer flied out to deep center. Elly De La Cruz struck out swinging.

Nick Lodolo tied his career-high with 12 strikeouts. He struck out 12 Philadelphia Phillies on April 8, 2023. He threw ball one to Tommy Pham. Catcher Jose Trevino ran to the mound, noticing some pain for Lodolo. Manager Terry Francona took Lodolo out in favor of Graham Ashcraft with one out and no one on in the seventh inning.

Lodolo has a history of leg injuries. "I think he's going to be OK," Francona said. "We were talking to (Dr.) Kremchek. We think he is going to be OK."

"I felt some grabbing in my groin. It was getting progressively worse," Lodolo said. "I felt it in warmups for the inning and it was getting worse. I fell good right now. I was looking to spin the ball like that for quite awhile."

He reached career highs with 28 starts, in spite of missing time with a blister. Lodolo finished the season with 154 2/3 innings, also a career high. The 28-year old lefty finished with a career-low 3.30 ERA

Ashcraft finished the scoreless seventh inning.

Tony Santillan came on in the eighth for his Major League leading 79th appearance. Pinch hitter Spencer Howitz doubled to open the inning. The Reds conceded the run with two ground outs. Santillan finished the inning by striking out Jared Triolo.

Pirates Out Last Reds In 11 Innings

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Spencer Horowitz drove in Bryan Reynalds three times and the Reds left 13 runners on base, falling to the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second straight day in a 4-3 loss. 

Meanwhile in Chicago the New York Mets trail the north siders 10-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Barring a seven-run ninth the status quo will remain in place with the Reds one game out of the final wild card entry to the playoffs.

The pitching duel between the Reds Hunter Greene and the Pirates Paul Skenes was as advertised.

Greene pitched around a leadoff double in the third inning and Skenes followed suit in the Reds fifth.

The Pirates cashed in on a one-out walk to Bryan Reynolds, who scored on a double by Spencer Horwitz.

Tyler Stephenson missed a leadoff home run by about a foot in the fifth. Will Benson moved him to third with a ground out but Matt McLain and TJ Friedl struck out to allow Skenes two escape.

The Pirates scored again in the sixth. Reynolds hit a two-out double and scored on a ground single to left by Horwitz.

Greene pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. Greene struck out seven. He ended the regular season with a 2.76 ERA.

Chase Burns took the mound for the Reds in the seventh.

Skenes pitched six shutout innings with four hits and no walks. He struck out seven and ended his last start of the season with a 1.97 ERA.

Justin Lawrence pitched a scoreless seventh. Isaac Mattson got two quick outs but Noelvi Marte lined a pitch to deep center. Oneil Cruz nearly made the catch but the ball bounced away as Cruz was shaken up on the play. Marte completed the circuit for an inside-the-park home run. It was Marte's 14th home run of the season. Gavin Lux walked. 

Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly brought in closer Dennis Santana to face Spencer Steer. Santana hit Steer with the first pitch, putting the tying run on second with Elly De La Cruz batting. De La Cruz hit a hard ground ball to second. Nick Yorke made a diving stop and threw De La Cruz out at first base.

Emilio Pagan took over for Burns in the ninth inning. Pagan pitched out of a bases loaded jam to give the Reds a chance.

Stephenson's fourth hit of the game was a game tying 13th home run of the season with one out on a 2-2 pitch. It was the first four-hit game of Stephenson's career. Will Benson singled off Santana to become the potential winning run.  McLain struck out and Friedl grounded out to end the ninth.

Tony Santillan came on in the 10th with ghost runner Yorke at second base. A wild pitch put Yorke on third with no outs. Henry Davies popped out to Stephenson behind the plate. Jack Suwinski, who replaced Cruz after he turned his ankle on Marte's home run, doubled to score Yorke. Jared Triolo struck out looking. Reynolds grounded out.

Friedl was the ghost runner on second and former Red Dauri Moreta came on to face Marte in the bottom of the 10th. Marte singled. Friedl stopped at third. Lux came to the plate with the tying run on third and no out. He tied the game with a long fly to center field. Steer struck out. De La Cruz singled to send Marte into scoring position. Miguel Andujar pinch hit for Ke'Bryan Hayes. Johan Ramirez came out of the Pirates' bullpen. Andujar struck out on the 10th pitch of the at bat to send the game to the 11th inning.

"We didn't have enough good at bats," said Lux, who played on the World Champion Dodgers' team last season. "Luck played into it and they made some plays. We just didn't get enough to win."

"That one stung, I should have gotten the runner to third," Stephenson said although his game tying home run was a point of pride. "That one was right up there as far as moments in my career go. We just have to flush this game and come back tomorrow."

Nick Martinez started the 11th with Reynolds as the ghost runner. Horwitz doubled to drive in his third run of the game. Andrew McCutchen lined to McLain, who doubled off pinch runner Alexander Canario. Tommy Pham walked. Nick Gonzalez forced Pham at second base.

Santiago Espinal was the ghost runner in the bottom of the 11th. Stephenson, looking for a career-high fifth hit against Ramirez. Stephenson struck out swinging. Benson walked. McLain flied out to right. Friedl walked to load the bases and leave the game in the hands of Marte. 

"It hurts right now," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "We have to get over it quick. We're back here tomorrow. We have to keep playing. No one has a crystal ball. None of us knows what is going to happen. All you can do is keep playing."

The Reds Hit Into Three Double Plays To Kill Rallies In Loss To Pirates

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Pittsburgh Pirates scored four run in the top of the second innings and held on with double plays in each of the last three innings for a 4-2 win.

It snapped the Reds' winning streak at four games and jeopardizes a tie with the New York Mets, who are tied with the Chicago Cubs in the middle of the seventh inning, 7-7.

The Pirates ambushed Singer in the second inning with one our Jack Suwinski doubled to the left centerfield gap. Nick Yorke grounded an RBI single up the middle. Alexander Canario doubled to score Yorke. O'neil Cruz hit his 20th home run the opposite way to left field and the Pirates had a 4-0 lead.

Pittsburgh starter, Johan Oviedo, walked Spencer Steer to open the second for the Reds. Elly De La Cruz hit his 21st home run to cut the lead in half. It was half way up the stands in right field.

Singer was not able to get his swagger back with 5 1/3 innings in which he allowed four runs on seven hits and a hit batter.

"I haven't gone back and looked at it yet," Singer said. "I think I left too many pitches in the middle of the plate and they put good swings on them. I just tried to go deeper into the game. We have to flush this one and come back tomorrow."

The Reds are down to their last five games.

Double plays turned in by the Pirates infield kept the Reds from making a comeback.

Sal Stewart in the seventh, Miguel Andujar in the eighth and McLain in the ninth hit into rally killing double plays. The Reds managed five hits, three by De La Cruz to falter on offense.

"I thought Brady had really good stuff, nice and crisp. He gets two quick outs then threw a back foot slider that hit the back foot. He threw a pitch outside to (Oneil) Cruz. When he gets his arms extended, he really hurt us," Francona said. "The double plays really hurt us."

Tony Santillan Finishes 1-0 Shutout To Sweep The Cubs And Caught The Mets With Six Games Left

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds sweated and strained to pull off a second 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs since Thursday night. It provided a clean four-game streak over the division rival and put them in the driver's seat for the sixth an final wild card entry into the playoffs by catching the New York Mets.

"It is not over yet," cautioned Gavin Lux, who came to the Reds in the offseason after winning a World Championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers. "It is fun to win no matter where it is. We still have work to do.

Indeed, the Reds were six games out after Friday September 5, when they loaded the bases against the Mets with no outs in the ninth inning and failed to score in a 5-4 loss.

The Reds spent 10 days on the road and were swept by the Oakland Athletics in three games, that could have buried the team but they have turned it around and won five straight games as the Mets fell apart. They are tied but the Reds own the tie breaker because they took the season series from the Mets 4-2.

The Reds broke through against Jameson Taillon in the third inning. Matt McLain and Gavin Lux doubled to take a lead.

Andrew Abbott pitched out of trouble in the top of the inning. Michael Busch and Kevin Alcantara opened the inning with singles but Abbott retired, Nico Hoerner. Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki on fly outs.

"I got ahead of hitters but couldn't put them away," said Abbott, who praised the bullpen for picking him up and firing 4 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. "It is the time of the year where you just want to get the ball to them. Nick Martinez is like a swiss army knife."

Abbott allowed five singles and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. He was relieved by Nick Martinez who struck out Suzuki to end the fifth, preserving the Reds' one-run lead.

"Abbott competed like crazy," manager Terry Francona said. "I thought he started to get into a better rhythm right when we were about to take him out of the game but who was coming up. I don't think we're at the point of the season that anybody cares, who gets the win as long as its up. We thought Martinez was a better matchup."

Martinez transferred to the bullpen after starting in the starting rotation at the start of the year. He came back out and retired the next six batters he faced after the Suzuki strike out.

"He (Martinez) is special in a lot of ways," Francona said. "He's a good pitcher and competitor and he's willing to do whatever."

Martinez delighted in the competition.

"You can't kill us," Martinez said. "This last month, month and a half, there have been a lot of ups and downs. It's been a playoff atmosphere for us."

Graham Ashcraft pitched a scoreless eighth.

"These last two games, he's thrown the best he has all season," Francona said.

The Reds rode their horse or bear in the ninth inning. Tony Santillan walked two but struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong looking to seal the game with his 77th appearance of the season, earning his seventh save.

"We didn't have Pagan and we weren't going to use Santillan unless we had the chancet to win. He did what he always does. He grinded through it," Francona said.

Santillan walked the leadoff man Moises Ballesterios on a 3-1 pitch. Dansby Swanson flied out routinely to TJ Friedl in center field. Santillan struck out pinch hitter, Willi Castro but walked 30 home run hitter, Busch. That put the tying run in scoring position. Crow-Armstrong with 29 home runs to his name stepped to the plate. Santillan struck him out on four pitches, catching the inside corner to end the game.

"I obviously made it a little harder on myself," said Santillan known to his teammates as Oso or bear. "I walked the first guy and obviously I was like, 'what am I doing?' I told myself, 'don't give him any free passes.' I look over and there was a guy on first with a free pass. I started to concentrate and focus. I kind of slowed things down and make a good pitch. Trust my stuff," Santillan said.

A Very Coachable Tyler Stephenson Put The Game Away For The Reds Fourth Straight Win

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds had just escaped a one-out jam to cling to a one-run lead. Catcher Tyler Stephenson watched Noelvi Marte lead off the bottom of the eighth inning with a single off Chicago Cubs reliever, Andrew Kitteridge.  It brought Elly De La Cruz to the plate.

Stephenson went to manager Terry Francona and asked him."If Elly gets on base, do you want me to bunt them over?" Francona said, "No, I want you to hit it in the third row." That is approximately where Stephenson deposited his 12th home run of the season to provide the final margin in the Reds' 6-3 win.

"He's very coachable," Francona quipped after the game.

The win drew the Reds within one game of the New York Mets for the final Wild Card position. The lowly Washington Nationals parlayed an inside-the-park home run by Daylen Lile into a 5-3, 11-inning win over the Mets. A sweep of the Cubs by the Reds on Sunday could force a tie with the Reds holding the tie breaker.

Zach Littell gave up Michael Busch's 30th home run of the season with one out in the third inning. It was the 35th allowed by the Reds' right hander this season. That ties the Washington Nationals' Jake Irvin for the major league lead.

The Reds took the lead off Javier Assad in the bottom of the inning. Matt McLain opened the inning with a single and stole second. TJ Friedl singled but McLain had to hold at third as right fielder Willi Castro got to it in a hurry. Spencer Steer, who hit two home runs on Friday night, hit a slow roller to third baseman, Matt Shaw. McLain beat the throw home to tie the score. Will Benson singled with two outs to give the Reds a 2-1 lead.

Reese McGuire hit his ninth home run of the season with two outs in the fifth. It was Littell's league-leading 36th home run allowed this season.

Steer victimized Drew Pomerantz with his 21st home run in the fifh, his third in the last two games.

Austin Hays left the game with back spasms in the top of the sixth. Steer went to left and Sal Stewart took over at first base.

Friedl led off the bottom of the seventh with his 13th home run of the season. It came off Aaron Civale.

Castro and McGuire hit back-to-back doubles to open the eighth inning and cut the Reds' lead to one run. Nico Hoerner reached on an infield single. Tony Santillan struck out Ian Happ. Moises Ballesteros grounded out to short and the Reds took a one one lead into the bottom of the eighth. It was a slow roller that De La Cruz had to charge and he threw out Ballesteros on a close play.

"I've always had the confidence that I could do that," Santillan said. Still the emotions of the close play to escape the jam were prominent. "I thought I made a good pitch. He hit itand didn't hit it very hard. He's not a very quick runner but still I was tracking him, tracking Elly. I knew it was going to be really close. I got a little nervous for a second. Then he got him and it was a great feeling," Santillan said.

Marte greeted Andrew Kitteridge with a single and stole second. Stephenson hit his 12th home run into the right field stands to give the Reds breathing room at 6-3.

"I blacked out a little," Stephenson said. "I was yelling a lot and got a little light headed." His day wasn't done. 

Emilio Pagan entered the ninth inning trying to extend his career-high to 29 games. Pagan retired Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong easily but Matt Shaw hit a two-out double. Pagan completed  save by striking out pinch hitter, Seiya Suzuki.

The Reds clinched the season series against the Cubs with its seventh win as they try to earn a sweep on Sunday.

Hunter Greene Finished What He Started Shutting Out The Cubs On One Hit

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Hunter Greene pitched a complete game shut out as the Reds defeated the Chicago Cubs 1-0 to stay withing striking distance of the last Wild Card slot in the National League playoffs

Greene retired the first 12 Cubs' batters to start the game. Moises Ballesterios reached first on an error by Elly De La Cruz. Greene retired the next two Cubs batters. Pete Crow-Armstrong lined a pitch off the tip of Spencer Steers' glove and hit off Ballesterios' batting helmet. The ball caromed into center field and TJ Friedl forced a dazed Ballesterios at second base to preserve Green's no-hitter.

Colin Rea gave up two singles in the first inning. One to Gavin Lux and the other to Austin Hays with one out. Sal Stewart struck out and  Will Benson lined out to first baseman, Michael Busch.

The Reds broke through in the fourth inning. Hays and Benson doubled to give the Reds a lead.

Seiya Suzuki doubled down the third base line with two outs for the Cubs' first hit. Greene finished the seventh inning  with no runs scored. Greene finished off the last seven Cubs' batters to seal the win. Busch flew out to the warning track in right to lead off the ninth and Greene struck out .300 Nico Hoerner and Reds' nemesis from the University of Cincinnati, Ian Happ to end the game.

"He deserved to finish that game," Reds' manager Terry Francona said. "What was most impressive is that it was 1-0. There wasn't a lot of wiggle room. A walk, an error and we could be talking about nice effort but.... or we could still be playing."

Greene allowed just the one hit, a walk and struck out nine.

"It was great. I was trying to stay present," Greene said. "Stepho, (Tyler Stephenson) were on the same page all night. It was a lot of fun. I was just trying to stay in the moment."

Greene came close to pitching a complete game shutout in San Francisco on April 7. He pitched 8 2/3 innings but Tony Santillan had to come in to get the last out in a 2-0 win.

"Of course there was a little extra heart beat going into the ninth inning," Greene said. "San Francisco kind of flashed through my mind. I was telling myself, this is my game. I told Tito the next game I pitch deep in that situation, that I wanted to finish it. I wanted to show myself and also Tito and the team."

Reds Win Final Two Games Against The Mets To Stay Alive

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds had a disappointing loss to start the series but took the last two games capped by a 3-2 win over the New York Mets, the team they are chasing for the final playoff spot.

The Reds are 72-71, four games behind the Mets with 19 games left. The Reds were 4-2 against the Mets this season, taking two of three in both the road and home series. That is important should they tie at the end of the season, the Reds own the tie breaker.

Hunter Greene struck out seven of the first nine Mets' batters but Brett Baty hit his 16th home run to give them the lead in the third inning.

Brandon Sproat made his first Major League appearance as the Mets' starting pitcher. He walked the first batter he faced but Baty turned a hot smash into a double play.

Sproat walked Noelvi Marte to start the Reds' fourth inning. Marte stole second base with Elly De La Cruz batting. De La Cruz grounded out to first base sending Marte to third. Austin Hays hit a sacrifice fly to center field and the Reds tied the score without a hit.

Marte singled off Sproat one out into the sixth inning. De La Cruz doubled to the right center gap to score Marte. De La Cruz took third on the throw home. Austin Hays singled to put the Reds ahead, 3-1.

"There wasn't a lot of offense but there were some good things," Terry Francona said. "Give Elly a lot of credit. He got Marte to third let Hays' fly ball to be meaningful."

Greene pitched seven innings, allowing one run on just one hit and two walks. He tied his season-high with 12 strikeouts.

"I had a good mix," Greene said. "That's a good hitting team. We believe in ourselves. I just wanted to be the man of the people and get the strikeouts for the pizza. I didn't do anything extra, I did what is expected."

Nick Martinez made short work of the Mets in the ninth inning.

Despite some ninth inning drama, Tony Santillan earned his fifth save of the season. 

Santillan retired the hot hitting Francisco Lindor on a routine fly to center field. Juan Soto hit his 38th home run of the season to bring the tying run to the plate. Pete Alonso hit a high chop to De La Cruz at shortstop. The throw to first was in the dirt and Alonso reached on the error. Luisangel Acuna ran for Alonso. Brandon Nimmo singled to left. De La Cruz redeemed himself starting a game ending double play on Starling Marte's ground ball up the middle.

"That's exactly what you would hope to happen (to hit the ball to De La Cruz after the error). It doesn't always work out that way. That's a great bunch of guys. It is because they care. They're not asking someone to feel sorry for us. We're still alive. Until they make you go home, you keep playing," Francona said.

Brendan Sorsby Shines As The Bearcats Hand Heisman Trophy Winner Eddie George His First FBS Loss

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Bearcats posted a 34-20 win over Bowling Green and former NFL running back and Ohio State Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, who took his first loss as an FBS coach Saturday.

George, the 1995 Heisman winner with Ohio State, took over as head coach at Bowling Green (1-1) this season after four years leading FCS Tennessee State. He brought his team and social media sensation Pudge the Cat, the Bowling Green mascot, into Nippert Stadium to face the Bearcats (1-1).

Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield used a short passing game through three quarters until Sorsby rushed the last 27 yards late in the third to lead 31-10. Sorsby connected with Cyrus Allen for 44- and 2-yard touchdowns for the Bearcats’ first two scores and finished with 333 yards passing.

“There were a lot of questions about throwing the ball," Satterfield said. “Sorsby threw the ball well. Our guys made some great catches and had a lot of yards after catches.”

George elected to punt for field position twice in the first half rather than take a risk on fourth-and-short.. The Falcons punted on fourth-and-1 from the Bowling Green 47 in the first quarter and again from the Cincinnati 41 in the second quarter on fourth-and-3. That second time backfired as Cincinnati drove 89 yards to score its third touchdown and take a 21-0 lead on Sorsby's 9-yard toss to Jeff Caldwell.

“Looking at the flow of the game, down 14-0. I didn't want to give them a short field,” George said. “I wanted to be conservative until I get a good feel from my offense. I don't want to throw against the wind and hope, until we have something dialed in. "

Trailing 24-3 on its first possession of the second half, the Falcons went for a first down on a fourth-and-2 from the Cincinnati 12, Leo Kemp, a transfer from UCLA, was held to 1 yard by Jake Golday.

Drew Pyne threw for 274 yards and a score to Jyrin Johnson for the Falcons.

Takeaway

Donte Corleone, Cincinnati’s two-time All-American nose tackle, left the field twice. Corleone missed a series to have his ankle taped. He left for good midway through the second quarter. “We'll re-evaluate but I think he'll be fine,” Satterfield said

Family affair

Eddie George's son Eriq was the starting defensive end for the Falcons The son of athletic director Derek van der Merwe, Ian, is a defensive lineman. It is the first time in FBS history the coach and athletic director's sons played on the same team, according to the school.

Transfer

Drew Pyne made at least one start for Notre Dame, Arizona State and Missouri.

First-time ever

The Bearcats were 0-4 against Bowling Green coming into the game, losing to them in 1991, 1992, 1993 and a 38-0 loss in 1994, the first home shutout by the Bearcats since 1972.

Hold the Ball

In Eddie Georges first two games as head coach, Bowling Green has not turned the ball over.

"Why would you say that?" George asked kiddingly when it was brought up. "You know what's going to happen? That's exciting. Not turning the ball over and we were plus one. We're not creating turnovers that's the problem. I talk about our defense being surgical in getting the ball out. It's a situation where kids are still thinking about the calls and we're not playing fast right now because we're still learning the defense the nomenclature, the calls. It's tough for us to create those turnovers but we work on them. Every day in practice we work on ball security. I harp on that. I have a couple receivers and ball carriers that carry the ball in their inside arm. It is a matter of time, actually Ladarius did fumble the ball but he got it back. It is going to be emphasized daily.

Pudge the Cat on Scholarship

The locker room cat that has been adopted as the Bowling Green's team unofficial mascot, has its own web page and NIL sponsorship. The players made a Tic Tok video that got over 900,000 views.

Up next

Bowling Green will host Liberty next Saturday.

Cincinnati will be at home against Northwestern State next Saturday.

 

Edwin Diaz Escapes Ninth Inning Jam As The Fast Starting Mets Hung On For A Win

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

With the final National League Wild Card spot on the line, the New York Mets made their annual trip to Great American Ball Park.

Edwin Diaz pitched out of a bases loaded, no out jam to allow the New York Mets to extend their lead to six games with a 5-4 win over the fading Reds.

The Reds dropped below .500 at 70-71 for the first time since June 7 when they were 32-33.

Ke'Bryan Hayes singled to start the ninth inning. Matt McLain and TJ Friedl walked to load the bases. Diaz broke a spike and had to change shoes. He struck out Noelvi Marte swinging through a 3-2 pitch and Elly De La Cruz looking at a 2-2 pitch. Gavin Lux hit one past Pete Alonso at first. Luisangel Acuna fielded going to the hole and threw to Diaz to end the game.

"We gave ourselves a chance but we couldn't get over the hump," Terry Francona said. 

The Mets roughed up Reds' starter Andrew Abbott in the first inning. Francisco Lindor worked a walk from Abbott to open the game. Juan Soto hit a ground single to right that sent Lindor to third.  Abbott struck out Pete Alonso but Mark Vientos topped a ball down the third base line that stopped in fair territory allowing Lindor to score. Soto stole third base. Brandon Nimmo hit a ball over the wall in left center but TJ Friedl leaped, reached above to fence and caught the ball. Soto scored after the catch. Starling Marte dropped a single into shallow left field to score Vientos.

David Peterson allowed a first inning single to Elly De La Cruz but kept the Reds off the scoreboard through two innings.

Vientos hit his 16th home run of the season, leading off the third inning against Abbott.

The Reds got the run back in the bottom of the inning. Matt McLain singled to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Friedl doubled him to third. Noelvi Marte lined out to right. McLain scored after the catch.

Abbott got the first two outs in the fourth but Lindor and Soto hit back-to-back doubles to send their lead back to four runs.

The Reds got close against Peterson in the bottom of the fourth. Austin Hays and Spencer Steer singled. Tyler Stephenson doubled to the corner in left field. Hays scored easily. Steer was able to slide underneath the tag by Francisco Alvarez. Stephenson, who returned from the injured list afte missing 16 games, took third on the throw home. Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a line drive the Nimmo caught with a dive. Stephenson scored to make it, 5-4.

Abbott gave up two singles in the fifth inning. Connor Phillips came in to get Alvarez to fly out to right.

Abbott pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on nine hit, a walk and a hit batter.

Phillips walked Lindor and Soto with one out but got Alonso to hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Phillips, Nick Martinez and  Emilio Pagan shut down the Mets for the last 4 1/3 innings.

 

Tyler Stephenson Returns To Lineup

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The thumb on Tyler Stephenson, left (catching hand) has healed. Terry Francona put him right into the lineup. Backup catcher, Jose Trevino, caught as many as seven games in a row in his absence.

The broken thumb put him on the 10-day injured list on August 20. He missed 16 games in which the Reds were 6-10. He is catching Friday night against the New York Mets, batting seventh.

"The thumbs good. The test in Anaheim catching Lodolo's bullpen. it didn't feel great. I finally got an X-ray. I caught seven on Wednesday and didn't have any issues. I caught (Chase) Burns live. He was throwing 101 it feels good," Stephenson. "Luckily my hitting wasn't bothered at all."

Stephenson hit a home run in Louisville. He caught seven innings on Wednesday and was the DH on Thursday.

The Reds sent Will Banfield back to Louisville whose season ends soon.

 

Five Home Runs Help Toronto Erase Reds Five Run Lead

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds scored five runs in the second inning but five home runs to send the Toronto Blue Jays 13-9 win. It was their 42nd come-from-behind win of the season.

The loss sent the Reds back to .500 at 70-70 and with 22 games left remain five games behind their next opponent the New York Mets for the final playoff spot.

The Reds jumped on Shane Bieber who is in his third game back from "Tommy John" surgery.

Austin Hays singled to open the inning. Gavin Lux forced him at second. Spencer Steer singled Lux to third. Ke'Bryan Hayes walked to load the bases. Jose Trevino singled up the middle to score two runs. Matt McLain also singled up the middle to plate another run. TJ Friedl was robbed of an extra base hit on a diving catch by Addison Barger in right but Noelvi Marte doubled in the gap in right center to score two more runs and give the Reds a 5-0 lead.

Reds' starter Zack Littell struck out five of the first seven Blue Jay batters. Andres Gimenez singled up the middle but Ernie Clement hit a hard ground ball to Elly De La Cruz, who turned it into a double play. George Springer hit his 27 home run of the season with two outs to make it, 5-1.

"I thought that he had good finish on his fastball," Terry Francona said. "That sets up his split. Then one, two, we just couldn't keep them in the ballpark and after that couldn't keep them off the scoreboard."

Littell has allowed 31 home run this season. He started the game one behind Jake Irvin of the Washington Nationals for the most home runs allowed in baseball this season. Daulton Varsho put Littell ahead of Irvin with his 19th home run and Alezandro Kirk followed with his 12th home run. Littell allowed Totonto three solo home runs the last time he faced them on May 15.

"I started grooving every thing and they put some good swings on pitches but overall, I wasn't very good," Littell said. "We put up five runs early. In that spot, I've got to be better."

Springer singled in the fifth and scored on Barger's 19th home run, the fourth against Littell of the game, tied the game at, 5-5.

Guerrero greeted Nick Marinez who relived Littell with his 22nd home run to give Toronto a lead.

Sacrifice flies in the sixth and seventh extended the Blue Jays lead to three runs.

Marte drove in his third run of the game with a two-out single in the seventh. McLain, who reached on an error, scored to cut the Totonto lead to 8-6.

The Blue Jays put the game away with four runs against Lyon Richardson and Yosver Zulueta in the eighth. 

The Reds gave fans hope with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Steer, Will Benson and McLain hit RBI doubles to keep Toronto within three.

Zach Maxwell gave up a single to Clement and a two-out RBI double to Guerrero in the ninth inning to provide the final margin.