About Me

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I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Diversification The Key To Reds Roster Improvement

  

Both general manager Nick Krall and manager David Bell are proponents of moving players to different positions to get bats in the lineup.

The Reds recent history has shown that the outfield is a solution to position gluts like the Reds are experiencing in the infield.

Nick Senzel was moved from his college position at third base to second base and ultimately to center field to help him crack the lineup.  Jose Barrero was moved to center field as well.  Even Jonathan India was moved from his natural position of third base to second base to put him in position to become the Rookie of the Year in 2021. 

Now through trades, India is one of the crowded infield which has too much offensive talent to be "type cast" by their current defensive position. 

Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand joined India, Spencer Steer, Senzel, moved back to third base and Barrero, who played 26 games at shortstop before being sent to Louisville. It is believed by some in the Reds' organization that Steer's best position is second base. Highly regarded Edwin Arroyo is waiting in the wings.

Both Steer and Encarnacion-Strand appeared at third base and first base. Newcomer Jeimer Candelario played 115 games at third base and 26 at first base last season.

Steer played 47 games in the outfield last season and 16 at second base.

Elly De La Cruz at 6'5" doesn't have the body type of a typical shortstop.  His speed and arm, with throws clocked at over 100 mph, make him an intriguing choice to move to the outfield, following the precedent of Billy Hamilton. India could also handle the transition.

We will see this spring training in Goodyear, Arizona what the Reds have in mind. Spring training is obviously the best place to experiment with new positions.  Senzel has moved on to ease the glut somewhat but the infield remains crowded. Another trade is possible too. India has been named in trade talks for months.

Right now the outfield is in good hands too.

Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, Wil Benson and Stuart Fairchild played well during the 2023 season. Rece Hinds, Nick Martini and Jacob Hurtubise are on the 40-man roster. Alan Cerda in addition to minor league player of the year Blake Dunn and 2020 first round pick Austin Hendrick are also knocking on the door.

The Reds have a pleasant problem with an abundance of talent among its position players. The DH and diversification is the key to getting productive offensive players on the field.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Brent Suter Returns Home To Help Reds Moeller HS Grad Extends Legacy

  

Brent Suter would make the short drive from his east side, Cincinnati suburb to cheer on his hometown Reds.

The Moeller High School star had dreams of playing for the Reds like fellow grad Ken Griffey Jt.  Although he was born too late to play alongside the Hall of Fame, Suter is going to Goodyear, Arizona to play for yet another Moeller grad, David Bell, the Reds' manager.

If and when he makes an appearance for the Reds, Suter will be the seventh Moeller Crusader to play for the Reds, joining Griffey Jr, Buddy Bell and Mike Bell, Barry Larkin and Stephen Larkin, and most recently Philip Diehl.

Two others, Andrew Brackman and Adam Hyzdu played in the Reds organization. Five others have played in major league games.

Moeller has nine Ohio State Division One championships. The won the state title in 1972, 1989 with David Bell, 1993 with Mike Bell, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2023.

Suter was on the 2008 team that lost in the state semi-finals.

"It is a dream come true to pitch for the Reds," Suter told the press when he signed on January 13 for one season and a club option for 2025.

Suter, 34, is expected to make an impact on the Reds' 2024 bullpen as a left handed pitcher, who gets weak contact with his location and mastery of off speed pitches.

The former Crusader was a 31st round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers out of Harvard University.

In seven seasons with the Brewers, Suter won 36 games and lost 19 in 196 games, starting 39 of them.  He has one save to his credit and has averaged just shy of two innings per appearance (1.8) with a 3.49 ERA.

He has racked up 393 strikeouts (7.6 per 9 innings) with just 123 walks (2.4 per 9 innings).  Just as important for pitching in the launch site at Great American Ball Park he has allowed 55 home runs over 464 innings of work. Toss out the 2018 season in which he made 18 starts and pitched a career-high 101 1/3 innings, and the lefty has allowed just 37 home runs or .01 per nine innings.

Last season in hitter haven Coors Field, the new Red, allowed three home runs in 69 1/3 innings. He was 4-3 and made two starts over 57 appearances with a 3.39 ERA.

Suter will compete with fellow southpaws Sam Moll and Alex Young to pitch out of the Reds' bullpen. 

Suter is not just a baseball player. He is a community leader, who was the Brewers nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for philanthropic and humanitarian efforts from 2020 to 2022.

He supports the Urban Ecology Center, Eco Athletes, Players for the Planet and the Outrider Foundation.  Suter helped start Sidelining Carbon which has a goal of offsetting sports related carbon emissions in 2020.

The 6'4", 228 pound Harvard grad has a degree in environmental science and public policy

He has written a children's book "The Binky Bandit" which is based on his dog, Wally, who had a bad habit of stealing his baby's pacifier.

Suter's father, Mike, was a safety on Penn State's 1982 national championship team. His mother Shirley earned four letters on the Nittany Lions' swimming team.

As a hitter Suter owns a home run, hit off Corey Kluber of Cleveland on May 8, 2018.





Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Reds Invest $100 Million On 2024 Roster


  

The Reds dived into the free agent market and signed four players for over $100 million dollars this winter. Frankie Montas, Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagan and Jeimar Candelario.


General manager, Nick Krall is hoping this round of investments works out better for the Reds than the last time, he delved into the free agent market.


When the Reds felt like they were competitive at the end of the 2019 season, Krall invested in offense in the off season.  He invested in Nick Castellanos, Mike Moustakas and Shogo Akiyama. 

 

The Covid season anomaly came a bad time for the Reds but even into the Reds 83-79 2021 season, Krall's plan didn't work out as he wanted. He ended up building the offense through the trade of Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle, pitchers that he didn't feel he could keep for a slew of youthful players.


Last season we watched as that group of young players excited the Reds' fans with daring, if not reckless baserunning.  They showed an offensive upside that if it continues will lead to a lot of exciting play and scoring.


Three young pitchers, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft replaced the trio before them from 2021. The Reds also lost Wade Miley through free agency and Vladimir Gutierrez through injury.  The top five starters from 2021 were gone by the end of the 100 loss 2022 season.


This off season Krall has hedged his bet on the youthful pitching that includes Andrew Abbott, who far exceeded his innings count at the end of 2023 and Brandon Williamson. He also saw promise from Connor Phillips, Carson Spiers and Levi Stoudt.


Krall most recently signed Montas (30) and Martinez (33) to supplement the group of youngsters. Both are righthanded.


Montas has long been a prized prospect since he broke in with the Chicago White Sox in 2015. His first full year, 2021, he pitched out of the bullpen, making 23 appearances for Oakland. 


Montsas made 124 straight starts after that. He was traded to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline in 2022 and made his last eight starts.  His best season, 2021, he made 32 starts and pitched 187 innings with a 13-9 record and a 3.37 ERA. He struck out 207 batters that season and walked just 57.  For his career, he has 612 strikeouts opposed to 197 walks. That stat will serve him well at Great American Ball Park should he be fully recovered from shoulder problems that cut short his 2022 season and limited him to one relief appearance last season. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in February 2023.


Krall is gambling that he will recover and be effective in a rotation and stabilize the youth on the Reds' staff that had its own problems with injuries last season. 


Montas reportedly signed for one year at $14 million with mutual option for $20 million in 2025 with a $2 million dollar buyout.


Martinez has been a starter but was unable to secure a place in the starting rotation of the San Diego Padres last season. He started 19 games in two seasons with the Padres but pitched mostly out of the bullpen, making 100 relief appearances with nine saves. Still he made nine starts with a 2.32 ERA. His value is in keeping the ball on the ground while he's on the mound. Over half of the at bats, 52% end in ground outs, another key to success at homer happy GABP.  Like Montsas, Martinez doesn't walk a lot of batters. Last season he walked 40 in 110.1 innings while striking out 106.


Martinez signed for two years at $26 million but can opt out after the 2024.


The Reds also signed Emilio Pagan a 32-year old righthanded reliever, who pitched for the Minnesota Twins the last two seasons, making 66 appearances last season. He was 5-2 with a 2.99 ERA. Another strike thrower, Pagan walked 21 in 69.1 innings while striking out 65.


Pagan reportedly has a one-year contract with a player option which could net him $16 million.


Krall did add a bat by signing 30-year old switch hitting Jeimar Candelario to a three-year $45 million dollar contract. Candelario can play first and third base.  The Reds are flush with infielders but Jonathan India and Spencer Steer will be given a chance to play outfield assuming they both go to spring training on the Reds' roster. 


Candelario hit .251 with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs last season. He hit 22 home runs but also belted 39 doubles.


"Some of those doubles could turn into home runs at Great American Ball Park," Krall said.



Saturday, November 25, 2023

Cincinnati Closes First Big 12 Season With A Loss


  

The Cincinnati Bearcats closed their first season in the Big 12 with a 49-16 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks.

The Bearcats finished the season at 3-9 and 1-8 in the conference. Their lone win was against Houston, who was also in its first season in the Big 12. Both teams transferred from the American Athletic Conference.

The loss left Cincinnati out of Bowl Games and forced them to look forward to spring practice.

Kansas finished with an 8-4 record, 5-4 in the conference. They are eligible for a Bowl Game.

The Bearcats scored first off the opening kickoff with 49-yard field goal by Carter Brown after a drive that chewed up 6:48.

Kansas converted an interception into a quick five-play, 77-yard drive in 2:38 touchdown drive. Cobee Bryant intercepted a long pass intended for Xzavier Henderson at the Kansas 23 yard line. Devin Neal capped the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to put Kansas in the lead with 8:55 left in the first half.

Neal is ranked fifth on the Kansas all-time rushing list. He passed a pair of NFL greats in Gayle Sayers and John Riggins this season.

After Cincinnati suffered a three and out on offense, Jason Bean connected with Jared Casey on a 15-yard scoring pass to extend the Jayhawks lead to 14-3.

Cincinnati scored with 26 seconds left in the half on an 11-yard pass from Emery Jones to Ryan Montgomery.  The play completed a 75-yard drive in 13 plays to make the score 14-10.

Bean took just two plays and 17 seconds to get the score back to 21-10. He threw 30 yards to Lawrence Arnold on the first play. He hit tight end Mason Fairchild with a 26-yard scoring pass to close the half.

Neal ran 30 yards for a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half. The carry put him at exactly 100 yards for the game and exactly 3,000 yards for his career.

Ryan Montgomery found Dee Wiggins in the end zone with a seven-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. Jones converted the two-point play on a keeper, just reaching the pylon to make it a two-score game. The conversion was overturned by review. Jones lost control of the ball before he touched the pylon. The Kansas bench was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, allowing Cincinnati to kick off from mid field.

Bean answered right away off a three-play drive, scoring on a 43-yard run untouched. He ran 50 yards for another touchdown with 9:52 left in the game. On two plays he rushed for 93 yards and finished with 90 yards rushing on four carries. Bean threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, completing 13 of 17 passes.

Dylan McDuffie finished with a six-yard touchdown carry with 47 seconds left.







Saturday, November 4, 2023

UCF Hands Bearcats A Seventh Straight Loss Ruins Bowl Appearance Chances


  

The UCF Knights visited the Cincinnati Bearcats in their first confrontation as members of the Big 12 and picked up its first win in the new conference, 28-26.

The Knights (4-6, 1-5) held on to win its second game in a row over the Bearcats (2-7, 0-6) and take a lead in the all-time series at 5-4.  The loss knocked Cincinnati out of bowl eligibility.

The Bearcats failure to score a touchdown inside the 20 in the middle of the fourth quarter, illustrated their season long problem. Cincinnati once again owned the sixty yards between the 20's, holding a 515-381 advantage in yards from scrimmage.  

Cincinnati scored first on a 39-yard field goal by Carter Brown after the Bearcats, who are efficient between the 20's, drove 53 yards.

Aided by 30 yards in Bearcat penalties, UCF scored on an eight yard run by quarterback John Rhys Plumlee.  One of the penalties, an illegal block below the knees by Bryon Threats, later resulted in his ejection for making contact with an official.

After a disastrous misthrow on a fourth and one play, Cincinnati starting quarterback, Emory Jones, was replaced by Brady Lichtenberg.

The Bearcats put a drive together after a fumble recovery by Eric Phillips but Xzavier fumbled on a 35-yard catch of a Lichtenberg pass. The Knights recovered at their own 12.

UCF drove 88 yards for a touchdown drive that ended with a 13-yard run by RJ Harvey.

Jones returned to lead a 73-yard drive that concluded with an 11-yard touchdown strike to Braden Smith.

The Cincinnati defense forced a three and out with 1:40 remaining in the first half, giving the Bearcats a chance to change the score from their own 34. 

Jones was intercepted at the goal line by Nikai Martinez, who returned it to the UCF 26 to protect the Knight's 14-10 halftime lead.

The Bearcats took a lead, 17-14, with a two-yard run by Ryan Montgomery with 5:19 left in the third quarter. The seven-play, 75-yard drive featured a 40-yard completion to Donovan Ollie and a 29-yard run by Ryan Montgomery. 

Plumlee made two key runs for first down on a pair of third and long plays to set up RJ Harvey's 25-yard run to regain the lead, at 21-17 with 0:31 in the quarter.

Cincinnati drove to the two on a 35-yard catch by Smith but a false start and two losses on running plays forced them to settle for Brown's 28-yard field goal.

Harvey ran for his third touchdown from one-yard out with 2:41 to finish off the Bearcats.

Kiner's six-yard run gave the Bearcats a shot at a two-point conversion to tie but Jone's pass was batted down in the end zone.

Corey Kiner led the Bearcats with the 114 yards. Ryan Montgomery rushed for 113 yards.



 

Saturday, October 21, 2023

First Bears Bearcat Game Goes To The Genus Ursus As Cincinnati Lost Fifth Straight

 

 

  



Scott Satterfield's first year as the coach of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats got even worse as the Bears of Baylor University outscored the home team 32-29, handing Cincinnati its fifth straight loss.

It was the first ever meeting of the two Big 12 rivals.

Baylor (3-4, 2-2) had its own problems but coach Dave Aranda's team moved back to the win column, its second win on the road against the former AAC members to join the lead. They defeated Central Florida on September 30.

Cincinnati (2-5, 0-4) held the lead in yards gained 336-323 going into the fourth quarter but managed just seven points on four trips inside the opponents 20. It is a problem that has haunted the Bearcats the entire season to date. Myles Montgomery fixed that with a one-yard run to pay dirt on the second play of the fourth quarter.  It was his second touchdown of the contest.

The Bearcats gave themselves a chance when Deshawn Pace stopped Monaray Baldwin for a three-yard loss with Cincinnati needing a field goal to tie.  They took possession on their own seven with 2:19 to play with three time outs.

Jones pass on a fourth and 11 into tight coverage was incomplete and the home team turned the ball over on downs for the third time in the game.


Isaiah Hankins opened the scoring for Baylor with a 54-yard field goal. The score was set up by a 41-yard punt return by Josh Cameron.

The Bearcats came back after Corey Kiner ran 14 yards to the Baylor eight, Emory Jones got half of the distance with a four-yard run on the last play of the first quarter. He completed the scoring drive by finding Xzavier Henderson in the Baylor end zone on the first play of the second quarter.

The play reversed the trend for Cincinnati, which has had trouble scoring from inside the 20 yard line this season.

The Bears came right down the field. Quarterback Blake Shapen marched three yards into end zone to cap a seven-play, 75-yard drive in 2:39.

Braden Smith fumbled the kickoff return into the arms of Byron Vaughns who returned it 10 yards for the score.

Hankins added a 43-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. 

Myles Montgomery scampered 38 yards to finish a four-play, 75-yard drive in which Jones found Henderson on a short pass that turned into a 30-yard pick up.

Baylor opened the second half with a 75-yard drive. Shapen's quick toss to Jake Roberts finished the drive. The Bears two-point conversion pass was incomplete.

Hankins added his third field goal of the game, a 46-yarder to increase the Baylor lead to 15 at 29-14. He added his fourth field goal, a 43-yarder to increase the lead t0 32-21 with 7:01 left in the game.

Jones threw his second touchdown to Henderson from 29-yards out with 5:03 left. Jones completed the two-point conversion pass to former QB Evan Prater to bring the game within a field goal.




Saturday, October 14, 2023

Iowa State Extends Bearcats Losing Streak

 

  

The Iowa State Cyclones met the Cincinnati Bearcats for the first time ever and extended the home team's losing streak to four games on a 30-10 win.

The Cyclones got a well managed game from redshirt freshman Rocco Brecht to improve to 4-3 while Cincinnati fell to 2-4. The Bearcats are still seeking its first Big 12 win, having lost to Oklahoma and Brigham Young prior to Saturday's defeat.

The statistics were more even than the final score. Iowa State had 364 yards of offense. Cincinnati had 214.

Since the Miami of Ohio game, UC has had trouble scoring touchdowns once inside the 20. They were denied five times in the overtime loss to the Redhawks.

Brady Lichtenberg took over for Emory Jones in the fourth quarter.

Iowa State turned an interception of Emory Jones into a 30-yard field goal to open the scoring. It was Jones' seventh interception of the season.

The Bearcats scored its first touchdowns in 17 possessions at home when Jones found Chamon Metayer open for a 20-yard score.

Iowa State regained the lead on a drive that featured Cartevious Norton tripped up by one of his own lineman during a wide open 20-yard run, two dropped interceptions by Bearcat Jordan Young, a converted fake field goal and a roughing the passer penalty by Eric Phillips on a third and seven incompletion.  Rocco Becht finally crossed the goal line on a two-yard run.

Becht threw a 14-yard touchdown pass Benjamin Brahmer which was set up by 75-yard strike to Jayden Higgins on the first play of the drive.

The Cyclones extended the lead to 20-7 on a 34-yard field goal by Chase Contreraz on a drive set up by a 65-yard kick off return by Rory Bell. Contreraz added a 30-yard field goal late in the third quarter.

The Bearcats answered by driving to the Iowa State 20 which seems to be their invisible barrier. They settled for a 36-yard Carter Brown field goal.

Brecht threw his second touchdown of the game 13 yards to Jack Bjorn.




Sunday, September 24, 2023

In What Could Be Joey Votto's Last Game Reds Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

  

TJ Friedl and Jonathan India reached base eight times combined with Friedl driving in three runs as the Reds claimed the final of the three-game series from the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-2

Alexis Diaz rebounded from two horrible appearances to work a scoreless eighth. Ian Gibaut set the Pirates down in order for his third save. 

"Of course I wanted the ball after the past two games," Diaz said. "I knew that I had to have the mentality to over come the two bad outings I had. Sure enough the results were there today."

Votto came to the plate in the second inning to a rousing standing ovation that took several minutes. It could be the last time Votto plays in Great American Ball Park. His future in the major leagues is uncertain. He singled in his last at bat of the day and left to a standing ovation for a pinch runner.

"It was overwhelming," Votto said. "All I could think about was how can I perform well. It was for sure nostalgic and humbling. The injury last year was very difficult. Coming back from it was not easy but I'm proud that I could perform. The ovation ended up going a little bit longer than I'm used to. I'm speechless. I know so many people in the crowd, so many people. I've crossed paths with maybe a majority of the people from autographs at fanfest, seeing them in the stands, seeing them on the street. There was a moment there when I said, I've got to go hit. It was my way of being playful and I hope they took it that way. You have to move forward but sometimes you get stopped in your tracks. I very nearly cried. I had a game to play and I was focused so I wasn't quite there emotionally but I almost got there."

"Nothing was planned," David Bell said. "It was all organic. I took him out for a pinch runner but it was just managing the game. It turned into a farewell moment that was never planned."

Brandon Williamson gave just one hit in four scoreless innings. Jack Suwinski led off the fifth with his 26th home run to break the scoreless tie. Henry Davis doubled and Jason Delay hit an RBI single. 

Buck Farmer relieved Williamson, who allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings on four hits and a walk. He struck out three.

Rookie Quinn Priester, the first pick for the Pirates in the 2019 draft,  walked Jonathan India and TJ Friedl twice but did not allow a hit in the first five innings. India led off the sixth with the first Reds' hit, a single to left. Friedl tied the game with his 17th home run into the right field stands.

"Even after last night (Reds lost a nine-run lead). We got down 2-0 in a day game after that. It would have been easy to just let go of the game. But it is not in this team's DNA. We have been down, two runs and comeback many times," Friedl said.

It was the third straight game with a home run for Friedl, including an inside-the-park home run on Saturday.

With two outs Christian Encarnacion-Strand walked. Votto was hit with an 0-2 pitch. Tyler Stephenson hit a ground ball up the middle. Shortstop Liover Peguero gloved it but dropped it. Encarnacion-Strand tried to score but Peguero was thrown out at home.

With two outs in the seventh against Jose Hernandez, India doubled down the left field line. Friedl lined a single to center to snap the 2-2 tie.

Encarnacion-Strand hit his 11th home run of the season to add insurance. He homered for the second straight day this time off Andre Jackson. Votto lined a single to right. 

"Joey means so much to us. No one works harder. He will play again," Jonathan India said. 

The Reds playoff hopes are fading. All of the teams ahead of them also won on Sunday. The Reds go to Cleveland to play two games and St. Louis to play three. The Reds are 80-77.

The Pirates insured a losing season with it's 82nd loss after being 20-8 early on.









Saturday, September 23, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates Rallied From A Nine-Run Hole To Damage Reds Playoff Hopes


 

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Alfonso Rivas came into the game hitting .200 but drove in five runs as the Pirates scored 13 unanswered runs to dim the Reds' playoff hopes with a 13-12 win.

Alexis Diaz had his second horrible outing as he gave up four runs and retired just one batter. The Reds got one out on a play at the plate.

Diaz in his last two appearances pitched one inning, allowed seven runs on seven hits with a walk and a hit batter.

The over worked bullpen had a hand in the Reds last three games all losses. In the last three losses, the bullpen has pitched 10 2/3 innings, allowed 22 hits, 19 runs, eight walks and three home runs.

"There's no choices like that to make (the bullpen might tired). Our focus is on winning games," David Bell said. "Their focus is working hard every day. Everybody is tired right now. I'm talking about all teams. For us it's just one more challenge. The game is asking a lot of all teams right now. We've seen many, many things, challenges, adversity. Nobody has made it easy on us. They (the players) continue to do what it takes. Tonight obviously a tough game like you said. The challenge is to come back tomorrow."

Have you asked too much of the bullpen?

"Like I said. I don't want to avoid any question, it is a fair question, a great question. To me right now, that's not the focus. I'll let you pick that apart. You have every right to do that. But to me the focus is on tomorrow and our players and what they're giving. I love how they've handled every single situation this year. I will include our coaches in that. They're giving everything they have, too."

The Reds scored nine runs in the first three innings to build an 9-0 lead. The Pittsburgh Pirates rebounded with nine runs to tie the game in the seventh.

Reds rookie Christian Encarnacion-Strand and catcher Tyler Stephenson had two hits and three runs batted in off Bailey Falter in their first to at bats.

Connor Phillips dominated for five innings but Alex Young and Fernando Cruz had all kinds of trouble with the Pirates

The Reds lost a full game in the wild card race to the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins. They lost a half game on the Arizona Diamondbacks who were rained out at the New York Yankees.

"There really not a whole lot to say," Bell said. "Our players have given absolutely every ounce of energy from day one of spring training. That continued tonight it is going to continue to the last pitch of the season. We all saw the game. You can pick a ton of things apart. I'm not going to waste my energy on that. For me its the players in our clubhouse, what they're doing. They love doing what they're doing. They care about it. What more can you do?"

Encarnacion Strand got the Reds started with a two run home run, his 10th with Nick Senzel, who singled, on base in the first inning. The long ball into the right field stands off Pirates' starter Bailey Falter was his 10th of the season. Tyler Stephenson went back-to-back with a long home run into the left field stands.

TJ Friedl led off the second inning with a line drive into the right field corner. The ball kicked off the fence away from Joshua Palacios. Friedl dived home with his 16th home run as it was scored by the official scorer. It was the first inside-the-park home run since Jay Bruce hit one off Dillon Gee at the New York Mets.

Elly De La Cruz singled and stole his 32nd and 33rd bases as Jonathan India walked. Senzel hit a ball back to the pitcher. Falter threw wide to Ji Hwan Bae. Bae got back in time to retire India but Senzel beat the relay as De La Cruz scored. Spencer Steer hit and infield single. Encarnacion-Strand singled in front of Palacios to score Senzel. Stephenson doubled to score Steer and Encarnacion-Strand. Noelvi Marte singled off the glove of third baseman Jared Triolo to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.

Phillips retired nine of the first 11 batters. Bryan Reynolds walked and Bae reached on a strikeout when he missed on his swing at a ball in the dirt that got by Stephenson. Phillips  with five innings and was charged with three runs, two of which scored after he left. He allowed five hits and walked one, striking out nine.

The Pirates scored one run in the fourth off Phillips with a walk to Jack Suwinski, an infield hit by Triolo and a flair by Alfonso Rivas.

Phillips started the sixth inning. He gave up singles to the first two Pirate hitters, Triolo and Endy Rodriguez. David Bell brought left hander Alex Young. The Pirates got run scoring singles from Bae and Palacios. Reynolds got Pittsburgh back in the game with his 23rd home run.

Pittsburgh loaded the bases against Cruz. Suwinski singled. Triolo's third hit of the game was a double to the base of the left field fence. Rodriguez walked. Lucas Sims went to a full count with Rivas but he tied the game with a double into the right field corner. Sims settled in and kept the score tied into the bottom of the seventh.

The Reds bats went silent when former Reds' reliever Dauri Moreta retired all eight batters he faced until Pirates' manager brought in left hander Jose Hernandez to face Friedl. Hernandez walked Friedl, who stole second but struck out Stuart Fairchild.

The Reds brought in closer Alexis Diaz to start the eighth. He hit Reynolds. Ke'Bryan Hayes lined a single off the outstretched glove of India. Suwinski put the Pirates on top with a single to right. Triolo got his fourth hit of the game but Fairchild threw Hayes out at home for the first out. Rivas singled to score Suwinski. Bae doubled home Triolo and Rivas.

The Reds fought back against Colin Selby. De La Cruz walked. India got the Reds' first hit since the third with a bloop single to right. Pinch hitter Nick Martini hit into a force play that scored De La Cruz. Steer hit an infield single over third base. Encarnacion-Strand drove in his fourth run of the game with a single scoring Martini. Stephenson hit a hard ground ball up the middle but Bae made a diving stop near second base stepped on the base and completed the double play.

Carmen Mlodzinski started the ninth for the Pirates. Closer David Bednar was used in three straight games.

Pinch hitter Joey Votto smashed a single off the glove of Bae. Friedl doubled to put the tying run in scoring position with no out. Jake Fraley hit for Fairchild. His ground out scored Votto and put the tying run on third with one out. De La Cruz struck out on a 11-pitch at bat. India flied out to center. 

Catcher Stephenson was asked about the bullpen over the last three games.

"I don't know (if the bullpen is running on fumes). This time of the year I'm sure everybody is battling some stuff but its meaningful baseball. Everybody knows that. They put some good at bats together and had stuff go their way. It is what it is. They did their best. I know that. They've done their best all year. We wouldn't be in this situation (playing for the playoffs) if it wasn't for every single one of those guys out there. It's a team thing for sure. They've been great all year. That's regardless (of the last three games)."






 

Cincinnati Opens Big-12 Era With A 20-6 Loss To Number 16 Oklahoma


 


The Oklahoma Sooners took control in the second half to defeat the Cincinnati Bearcats in its first Big 12 matchup.

Dillon Gabriel scored from one-yard out in the third quarter after Cincinnati closed to within four points on a 54-yard field goal by Carter Brown.

The Sooners took over on downs when Cincinnati (2-2) threatened late in the quarter. The swarming Oklahoma defense stopped the Bearcats three straight plays from the Sooner 20 with Cincinnati needing two yards to keep the drive alive. 

A 30-yard field goal by Zach Schmit sealed the Bearcats' fate.

The Cincinnati Bearcats scored first on a 40-yard field goal by Carter Brown. 

The Bearcats drove to the Oklahoma 22 yard line aided by a pass interference call against Gentry Williams.

Behind former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma put together a drive to the Cincinnati 12 yard line. Bryan Threats forced Gabriel to fumble on a keeper and it was recovered by Jack Dingle at the 10.

Oklahoma (4-0) scored on a five-yard pass from Gabriel to Nic Anderson with 34 seconds left in the first quarter. Schmit kicked a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter.

The Bearcats drove to the Sooner 12 but Brown missed a 26-yard field goal attempt with 11 seconds left in the first half.  Oklahoma held a 10-3 lead at halftime.

Brown kicked a career-long 54-yard field goal in the third quarter to get UC within a touchdown.

The Sooner ground game took control on a nine-play 75-yard drive capped by Gabriel's hard fought plunge from a yard out. Oklahoma pounded out 60 yards on the ground and consumed 5:23. 

The Bearcats were missing senior linebacker Deshawn Pace, who violated team rules. He was replaced by fellow Colerain grad, Ken Willis.

It was the first time Cincinnati has lost consecutive games at home since.

Cincinnati dropped to 0-3 all time versus Oklahoma. They lost to the Sooners on September 25, 2010 at Paul Brown Stadium

Pirates Throw Cold Water On Reds Playoff Hopes In See Saw Win

https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/pirates-score-two-runs-in-7th-rally-to-beat-reds-18383902.php

 


https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/pirates-score-two-runs-in-7th-rally-to-beat-reds-18383902.php













Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Twins Rally To Take Series Ruined Hunter Greene's Dominate Start


 

The Reds bullpen collapsed in the eighth and ninth inning and the Minnesota Twins rallied for a 5-3 win to prevent the Reds 80th win and take the series.

Jorge Polanco rolled a bases loaded single through the Reds' infield against Sam Moll to send the Twins home closer to clinching the American League Central title.

Hunter Greene struck out a career-high 14 batters in seven innings.

The top three Twins' batters in the order struck out seven times against the Reds' starter. Greene pitched seven innings for the second time this season. He allowed one run on three hits and a walk. 

The 14 strikeouts were the most by a Reds' pitcher since Ron Villone struck out 16 batters in St. Louis on September 29, 2000.

"I'm not really focused on my performance," Greene said. "Days like today are really frustrating. It is where we are in the season. Each game I pitch, this one and the next one, I feel like is the most important of my life. I haven't won anything since high school. I haven't felt this way in a very long time."

Greene pitched out of a first and third, no-out situation in the third after retiring the first six Twins' batters. Andrew Stevenson, who was in the lineup replacing the injured Royce Lewis, doubled to open the third. Christian Vazquez soft line drive to right was nearly caught by Will Benson on a diving try, it sent Stevenson to third. Michael A Taylor bunted in front of the plate. Luke Maile fielded and checked the runner at third before throwing Taylor out. Greene struck out Edouard Julien and Jorge Blanco to escape.

The Reds went to work against Twins's starter Bailey Ober, the 6'9" hurler. Will Benson walked to lead off. He moved to second on a ground out. Jonathan India was hit in the left shoulder by Ober's pitch. TJ Friedl singled to score Benson with the Reds' first hit, scoring the Reds' first run in 11 innings. 

Christian Encarnacion-Strand launched his ninth home run to open the fourth. 

Willi Castro broke Greene's spell with his ninth home run of the season into the right field stands to cut the lead to 2-1. 

Benson led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple off the top of the wall in right center. Luke Maile attempted to bunt. The ball popped in front of the plate and Maile was thrown out at first. The Reds challenged and ruling indicated that the ball hit the bat then Maile's finger making it a foul ball. Maile singled Benson home with the reprieve.

David Bell made the decision to remove Greene before the bottom of the seventh but the long inning would have contributed to the choice to go the choice to go to the bullpen.

"That last inning (bottom of the seventh) was like super, super long. I'm not saying I couldn't go out and still be fresh but the momentum that I gained and sitting down for awhile, I definitely feel it was the right move," Greene said. "Those guys are making the decisions. I can't get caught up in that. I trust all those guys and I trust David Bell."

"It was really a tough call (to take Greene out)," Bell said. "I made the decision before the long inning. As the inning went longer, I would have probably made it in the middle of the inning any way. But I did make it before the long inning."

Ian Gibaut gave up a lead off double to Vazquez and a one-out single to Julien to make it a one-run contest.

Alexis Diaz pitched the ninth to attempt his 38th save in 40 chances.

Castro bunted for a hit to open the ninth. He stole second and went to third on a throwing error by Maile. Kyle Farmer dropped a single into right field to tie the game. Diaz got Stevenson to pop out to third but walked Vazquez. David Bell brought left hander Sam Moll in to face Trevor Larnach, who was called up from St. Paul to replace the injured Carlos Correa on the roster.

"It doesn't happen very much with Alexis that a team comes back and ties it. Do I think he could have stayed in and got it done? Of course but we had Sam ready to go. Where they were in the lineup,their bats were left handed. I thought Sam gave us the best chance,". Bell said.

The Twins pulled a double steal Farmer stole third and Vazquez moved up on the back end to put runners on second and third with one out. Moll struck out Larnach on a check swing. The Reds intentionally walked pinch hitter Ryan Jeffers. Polanco grounded a two-run single to right field. 

"The throw on Castro was a little low," Maile said. "It was a hit and run. The pitch was down and away and I had to reach for it so it definitely wasn't my b"est throw. Him going to third base sped up the inning a little bit. On the double steal, we were way over. We were playing a really heavy shift. You have to make a little bit of a decision of whether to try to throw a bullet or kind of a make a QB type throw. It all depends on what kind of break the third baseman gets. The play was kind of tricky but I think Farmer being a former catcher, as saavy as he is. he knows what kind of play it takes."

Twins' closer Jhoan Duran issued a lead off walk in the eighth bu struck out two to pick up the win to improve to 3-6.  

Griffin Jax pitched the ninth to earn his third save.

The Reds are 79-75. They are at the moment 1 1/2 games out of the third wild card spot in the playoffs with eight to play.

The teams ahead of them are Philadelphia five games ahead of the Reds and in the first wild card position. Arizona in the second wild card position, two games ahead of the Reds. They are leading San Francisco 3-1 in the fifth inning. Chicago with 11 games left play Pittsburgh tonight. The Cubs are a game and a half ahead of the Reds for the third and final wild card spot. The Miami Marlins play the Mets tonight. They have 11 games left and are one game ahead of the Reds in fourth place in the wild card race one game in front of the Reds.

"They're all important at this point," Bell said. "There is no question about that. They hurt but at the same time, we remain really excited and positive about our chances. It all comes down to how we play. They are increasingly important. We have an off day tomorrow. We come back we have time to get it done."