Reds Blast Cubs To Snap Losing Streak

Mike Moustakes returned from the injured list and launched a two-run home run off Kyle Hendricks with Eugenio Suarez, who walked scoring in front of him.  His second home run of the season lifted the Reds to a 12-7 verdict over the Chicago Cubs.

"It felt great to be back," said Moustakes, who wore his mask even in the field.  "It always feels awesome to hit a home run but it felt more special after being at home the last few days.  I wore the mask on the field with an over abundance of caution.  We have the team rule that everyone wears a mask in the clubhouse and in the dugout, so I wore it on the field.  It didn't bother me that much.  I talk to the umpires and the opposing players so I wanted to keep the mask on."

The Reds chased Hendricks in the fifth when they broke the game open with seven runs.  Freddie Galvis started the inning with a single.  Shogo Akiyama hit a ground rule double to centerfield.  The Cubs walked Joey Votto with intent.  Suarez singled to left center to score Galvis and Akiyama.  Hendricks left for Rex Brothers to face left-handed hitting Moustakas, who walked.  Nick Castellanos hit his second home run of the season.  It was his fifth career grand slam.  Nick Senzel hit his first home run one out later.

Senzel had six tests while he was away from the field.  "I don't want to go into it but with what happened to the Marlins and Matt (Davidson, the Reds player who tested positive), I think it was handled as well as it could be.  It was really good to be back and fun that me and Mike homered in the same game after being away."

While the Reds hitters raced, Sonny Gray cruised.  He hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch in the first inning and didn't allow a hit until, UC's Ian Happ doubled with two out in the fifth.  By the end of the sixth inning, Gray amassed 10 strikeouts, fanning the side in the sixth.

The Reds pulled Gray in the seventh after he struck out Albert Almora Jr. for his 11th strikeout.  It would have ended the inning but Gray walked Steven Souza to open the inning.  Suarez throwing error on a ground ball by Josh Phegley to put runners on second and third.  Gray allowed just one hit, extending his streak to 35 consecutive starts in which he allowed six hits or fewer.  The last time he gave up more than six hits in a game was on August 1, 2018 when he allowed seven hits to the Baltimore Orioles as a member of the New York Yankees.

"He (Bell) came out to the mound and kind of left it open for me, whether I should stay in or hand him the ball," Gray said.  "I just handed him the ball.  I had every thing going tonight."

"Sonny was throwing strikes.  I didn't know him that well beginning last year.  I depended on DJ (pitching coach Derek Johnson)," David Bell said. "It was really good to have Mike and Nich back.  Mike has a great outgoing personality and he's fun to be around.  We are glad he's back."

Bell brought in former Cub Brooks Raley to face Happ.  Raley walked Happ to load the bases, hit Victor Caratini to force in a run.  Nico Hoerner singled in two runs.  Kris Bryant lined a ball past the diving Akiyama to make the score 9-5.  Bell brought in Lucas Simms after Raley walked David Bote.

The Reds got three runs back against Dillon Maples in the bottom of the seventh and would have scored more but Akiyama hit into his first triple play in America.  Moustakas walked and Travis Jankowski ran for him.  Castellanos walked.  Winker hit a line drive off the glove of Bryant at third base.  Jankowski scored. Senzel doubled to drive in two runs.  Galvis and Barnhart walked.  Duane Underwood Jr. replaced Maples.  He got two strikes on Akiyama but on the third pitch, Akiyama hit a line drive to Bryant's glove side.  This time Bryant caught the ball barely inches off the ground, stepped on third to retire Senzel and threw to first before Barnhart could get back.

It was the first triple play turned in by the since Brian McCrae, Jose Hernandez and Ryne Sandberg turned in one at San Francisco on May 10, 1997 with Stan Javier batting.

Joey Votto hit into the last triple play for the Reds on September 23, 2016 in Milwaukee on a line out 3-6-3.

Bote hit a two-run home run off Cody Reed to finish the scoring.

Reds Recall Mike Moustakes and Tucker Barnhart Option MLB Leading Hitter To Prasco Park

The Reds took Mike Moustakas from the 10-day Injured list and Tucker Barnhart from paternity leave.  They sent Tyler Stephenson to the alternative sight at Prasco Park with a 1,000 batting average.  Stephenson made one start and hit his first career home run in his first Major League plate appearance.  He was the third Reds' player to accomplish it.  Ted Tappe did it in Brooklyn on September 14, 1950 and Clyde Vollmer did it on May 31, 1942 against Pittsburgh.

Nick Senzel tested negative for Covid-19 and returned to the Reds' lineup.  Moustakes, who wasn't feeling well, also tested negative.

Reds Bullpen Falters As Tigers Come Back To Edge Reds

Luis Castillo pitched six effective innings against the Detroit Tigers, allowing a run on six hits, while he struck out 11 batters.  

Joey Votto and Freddie Galvis homered to put the Reds 3-1 after six but Robert Stephenson, Michael Lorenzen and Raisel Iglesias allowed three home runs that produced a 6-4 Tigers' win to even the series at one game each.

"Those are the guys that did it for us last year," David Bell said.  "I know they are disappointed but we are going to use them again in those situations.  Raisel did a lot of good things last year but when he struggled it was in non save situations.  We were going for the win right there."

The Tigers got to Castillo in the first inning.  Jonathan Schoop singled with one out and scored from first base on a double down the third base line by C.J. Cron.  He walked Christin Stewart before stifling the Tigers on four hits over the last five innings.  Detroit had two singles in the in the third and fifth but retired the last five batters he faced, four by strikeouts.

Three of Castillo's strike out were at the expense of Miguel Cabrera.

"I wasn't trying to strike him out but I'm happy to strike Cabrera out three times.  He is one of the best hitters in the big leagues," Castillo said through interpreter, Jorge Merlos.

Votto's second home run off Ivan Nova tied the game in the bottom of the first.

Galvis deposited a two-run home run into the Detroit bullpen in right with Nick Senzel on base through a walk.

Stephenson started the seventh inning.  Austin Romine led off with a home run.   Jacoby Jones followed with a single.  Stephenson struck out Niko Goodrum, then was pulled in favor of Lorenzen.  Miguel Cabrera hit a long home run down the leftfield line to put the Tigers ahead, 4-3.

Curt Casali tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a home run off Shane Alexander.  

Iglesias pitched the ninth but right away Romine singled to open the inning.  Jones hit his first home run of the season and Joe Jimenez pitched a scoreless ninth to save the game for winning pitcher Buck Farmer.

"It stings," Casali said. "We squandered a good start by Luis.  The bullpen may have had too much adrenaline being their first game.  I didn't call the best pitches either.  That's on me. In a short season like this, it is more important not to lose a game like this.  We have no choice but come back tomorrow."

The Reds lost the services of Matt Davidson, who made the team with an outstanding spring.  Davidson tested positive for Covid-19.  Davidson sat out the 2019 season.

"We are concerned by Matt testing positive," Casali said.  "We were so proud of him for making the team after being out of the game for a year, now this.  We are concerned but once the game started, I honestly didn't think about it."

"We are all concerned with Matt's health," Bell said.  "Our staff, Steve Baumen and the rest of the staff do a great job.  This is where we have to just trust in the protocols."

Matt Davidson Test Positive For Covid-19 Tucker Barnhart On Paternity Leave

Firstbaseman Matt Davidson was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to the Reds' game with the Detroit Tigers Saturday. He tested positive for Covid-19. Aristedes Aquino was recalled to take his place.

Tucker Barnhart was placed on the three-day paternity leave.

The Reds recalled RHP TJ Antone to take Barnhart's place on the 30-man active roster.

Antone will make his Major League debut if and when he pitches.  He was the Reds' fifth pick in the 2014 draft out of Weatherford College and Mansfield High School in Texas.  He split 2019 between Chattanooga and Louisville, making eight starts for each.  Antone was 7-4 with a 3.38 ERA for the Lookouts and 4-8 with a 4.65 ERA for the Bats.

The 26-year old allowed two runs in 8 1/3 innings this spring, impressing the Reds coaching staff,  He struck out six and walked two.

Reds Roster Nearly Complete 28 Players Named Anthony DeSclafani On 10 Day IL

Anthony DeSclafani is expected to miss one start with a mild strain in his right teres major.  The Reds have until tomorrow to name two more players to the roster to start the season on Friday against the Detroit Tigers.  The Reds also added former top draft choice Hunter Greene to their squad at Prasco Park.  Greene is still recovering from surgery.  The Reds parted ways with Derek Dietrich, who elected free agency.  Dietrich was a late arrival after he tested positive for Covid.   The Reds also returned outfielder Mark Payton to the Oakland Athletics per the Rule V draft provision.  A player chosen in a Rule V draft must be on the 26-man roster the entire season or be offered back to the player's previous organization.

The following players make up the 28-man roster to date.

27 Bauer, Trevor .......................... RHP

58 Castillo, Luis ............................ RHP

50 Garrett, Amir ............................. LHP

54 Gray, Sonny ............................ RHP

26 Iglesias, Raisel ........................ RHP

57 Jones, Nate ............................. RHP

21 Lorenzen, Michael ................... RHP

30 Mahle, Tyler ............................. RHP

22 Miley, Wade .............................. LHP

79 Raley, Brooks ........................... LHP

23 Reed, Cody .............................. LHP

39 Sims, Lucas ............................. RHP

55 Stephenson, Robert ................ RHP

46 Strop, Pedro ............................ RHP

16 Barnhart, Tucker ........................... C

12 Casali, Curt ................................... C

52 Farmer, Kyle .......................... C/INF

3 Galvis, Freddy ........................... INF

9 Moustakas, Mike ........................ 2B

7 Suárez, Eugenio ......................... 3B

17 VanMeter, Josh ................... INF/OF

19 Votto, Joey ................................. 1B

4 Akiyama, Shogo ......................... OF

2 Castellanos, Nick ........................ OF

6 Ervin, Phillip ................................ OF

31 Jankowski, Travis ....................... OF

15 Senzel, Nick ............................... CF

33 Winker, Jesse ............................. OF

Injured List

28 DeSclafani, Anthony ................ RHP

Reds Ready For Surreal Season

Matt Davison hit a home run off John Schrieber and six Reds' pitchers made it stand up for eight innings.  Travis Jankowski singled home the winning run in the Reds' 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers.

Jose De Leon, Brooks Raley, R.J. Alaniz, Matt Bowman and Sal Romano, limited the Tigers two hits until the eighth.  Jorge Bonifacio singled in Willi Castro with the tying run in the top of the eighth off Joel Kuhnel in the eighth to set up Jankowski's single as the game winner.

Robert Stephenson retired the Tigers in order in the ninth to earn the save, striking out Victor Reyes to finish off the visitors.

Phil Ervin, Joey Votto, Amir Garrett and Alex Blandino took a knee during the National Anthem in support of Black Lives Matter.

The Reds open the 60-game season with the Tigers at 6:10 pm Friday, 5:10 on Saturday and 1:10 on Sunday.

Along Came Jones Local Boy Nate Jones Earns Spot On Reds' Opening Day Roster

When the Reds are in trouble and in need of rescue, you could hear this from the Coasters....

Nate Jones returned from Arizona after Major League Baseball shuttered spring training due to the Covid virus in March.

In a surreal circumstance, the first thing Jones did at his home between Falmouth, Kentucky and Butler, KY is build a pitching mound with his father, Bill.  On Saturday, night Jones, 34, was given the news that one of his lifelong dreams came true.  The Reds announced that Jones would be on their 30-man roster on July 24 when the team opens the unique 60-game pandemic shortened season against the Detroit Tigers.

The Reds signed the former star of the Pendleton County High School and Northern Kentucky University baseball squads to a minor league contract on January 14, two weeks before his birthday.

"When the opportunity arose this off season being a free agent, I jumped on it. I had the opportunity to sleep in my own bed if I could make the roster," Jones said.  "I've been blessed not a lot of players get to do that.  I'm very thankful."

A month later Jones, a veteran of eight seasons, with the Chicago White Sox, found himself in the presence of Barry Larkin, one of his favorite players on the team that he rooted for as a child.

"I was in the area where we took physicals," Jones said.  "Standing right there was Barry Larkin.  I thought, where am I at, why is he here. I almost froze. Then it dawned on me, duh.  Immediately, he introduced himself, started talking to me, knew where I was from.  That was a cool experience.  He's a down to earth, great guy."

Other Cincinnati connections came into play to bring him and Matt Davidson into the Reds' system. Manager David Bell's father, Buddy, was in player development with the White Sox.

"My dad was an advocate for bringing both guys in," Bell said.  "Having the experience of being around them. He could tell us about their character.  That is something you can only find if your part of the same organization.  The main thing he told us is when Jones is healthy he can be a big part of our bullpen.  I was excited to tell him that he made the roster.  It is always a fun conversation to have, to see his smile and to be from the area makes it special.  We are happy to have him."

The contract that Jones signed has a standard MLB clause that would allow his to return to free agency if he was not named to the Reds' roster by a certain date.

Jones was one of the best right handed relievers in the American League when healthy.  The White Sox chose him in the 2007 draft and he worked his way into their bullpen in 2012.  He appeared in 65 games and was 8-0, leading the League in wins with a 2.39 ERA.  He appeared in 70 games in 2013 but a hip muscle strain limited him to two games in which he couldn't retire a batter in 2014.  Jones had elbow surgery that kept him out of action until August 4, 2015. He pitched in 19 games.

Jones had a nice comeback season in 2016, pitching in 71 games with a 5-3 record and 2.29 ERA.  That performance earned him a spot on the 2017 USA World Baseball Classic team.

"The chant USA, USA still sends chills up my arm," Jones said.

More adversity followed later in that season.  Elbow neuritis shut him down on May 4, carrying a 1-0 mark and 2,31 ERA in 11 games.  He suffered a pronator strain in 2018, limiting him to 33 games and 13 games last season before the White Sox shipped him off to the Texas Rangers.

"Going in we knew what he had done in his career and how he could help us," Bell said. "The big thing was is Nate healthy.  He's shown that he is."

Jones quickly had to show his health in the three weeks the team trained in Goodyear.

"My velo was there and I was throwing strikes," Jones said

Tucker Barnhart has now seen him during the Reds' summer camp.  He caught him and faced him at the plate.

"He has a funky slider," Barnhart said. "His arm angle and the way he throws, it looks like all arms and legs coming at you."

Now he's less than a week away from pitching in his hometown for his hometown team.  He refuses to let the lack of fans, or his family prohibited from attending games ruin that thrill for him in his initial opening day experience.

"I'm not going to let it take away from my experience," Jones said.  "Bringing it back to is simplest form, making the opening day roster. I will be on the Cincinnati Reds opening day roster whether there are fans or not.  It is a bummer that my family can't be there but it is still exciting."

"I was not fortunate enough to make it in person for an opening day," Jones said.  "But one of the prizes for perfect attendance or being on the AB honor roll at school was two tickets to a Reds' game. I'm not saying I'm the best student or made it to school every day but when you did, you made it to a Reds' game.  I'm getting a chance to go from the stands to the mound."

Derek Dietrich Rejoins Reds At Prasco Park After Testing Positive For Covid

Derek Dietrich will celebrate his 31st birthday on Saturday and said that he is truly in the best shape of his life.

It is a reason that Covid virus had a minor effect on his body.

"I was working out and I felt some fatigue that was unusual but I didn't have any other symptoms." Dietrich said shortly after the Reds announced he was back with the team.  The roster is now at 58.

His arrival ends the mystery of  his absence.  Dietrich, who surprised everyone by hitting 17 home runs the first half of 2019, invested in workout equipment for his home.  He claims he can do damage with one hand.

"You guys saw me last year swinging with one hand," Dietrich joked.  He suffered a bum shoulder which drastically slowed his production in the latter half of the season.

In addition to the workouts, his experience with Covid has made him mentally stronger.

"It changed my way of thinking," Dietrich said. "It humbled me and motivated me. I have empathy for anyone dealing with this because it sucks.  It really does. I didn't have symptoms but just knowing and thinking well who was  I around.  This isn't about you. A lot of people are dealing with this.  It is real.  It is very real."

Dietrich was in Goodyear and planned to workout at the Reds facility voluntarily when baseball shut down spring training.

"The Reds tested me since I was participating in voluntary workouts at their facility in Goodyear, Arizona," Dietrich said.  "I talked to a lot of people about it and doing research.  I talked to people that had it and doctors who treated it.  There was a day about a month ago when I was more tired than the norm. Otherwise I would not have known I had it, if I hadn't been tested. I know a lot of people have serious symptoms.  My heart goes out to all of them."

It took a while for the Reds infielder to get clearance

"It took a long time to get clearance. I took longer than I expected," Dietrich said. "There were two saliva tests and an antibody test.  I had to get clearance after a full physical, respiratory, EKG.  It's good Major League Baseball is doing all it can to keep players safe."

His isolation prevented the virus from spreading to his family.  Reds trainer Steve Bauman helped Dietrich to eventually be cleared.

"I isolated myself from my mother, my father and my 80 something year old grandmother.  That was first and foremost.  They are all healthy. I'm blessed the Reds helped me every step of the way through this. I'm just one player and Steve Bauman did everything he could with all that was going on to get me cleared."

Reds Scrimmage July 13

Anthony DeSclafani pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing a home run to Tucker Barnhart.

Eugenio Suarez doubled and hit a long upper deck home run off Raisel Iglesias.

The grey pants got home runs from Tyler Stephenson and Jonathan India back-to-back off Amir Garrett.  Matt Davidson and Scott Schebler homered for the victorious Grey Pants in a 6-2 win.

Jose Garcia doubled off Sal Romano in the first inning.  Travis Jankowski had a hit.

Mark Payton made two diving catches in centerfield. 

David Bell Announces 2020 Starting Rotation

David Bell named Sonny Gray to start against the Detroit Tigers on July 24 to open the abbreviated 60-game, 2020 season.

Gray will be followed in the starting rotation by Luis Castillo, the 2019 opening day starter, Trevor Bauer, Wade Miley and Anthony DeSclafani.

Tyler Mahle and Lucas Simms will be slated for long relief roles.

This will be Gray's third career opening day start. He opened the season on the mound in 2014 and 2015 for the Oakland Athletics.

Reds Open 2020 Short Season Against Detroit

The Reds will open the pandemic marred 2020 season on Friday, July 24 at Great American Ball Park at 6:10 pm.

The same two teams will play exhibition games on July 21 and 22 at 6:40 and 6:10 respectively.

The schedule of 60 games is listed below:

24

Fri

Detroit

6:10

25

Sat

Detroit

5:10

26

Sun

Detroit

1:10

27

Mon

Chicago Cubs

6:40

28

Tue

Chicago Cubs

6:40

29

Wed

Chicago Cubs

6:40

30

Thu

Chicago Cubs

6:10

31

Fri

@ Detroit

7:!0

1

Sat

@ Detroit

6:10

SEPTEMBER

1

Tue

St. Louis

6:40

2

Sun

@ Detroit

1:10

2

Wed

St. Louis

6:40

3

Mon

Cleveland

6:40

3

Thu

OFF DAY

4

Tue

Cleveland

6:10

4

Fri

@ Pittsburgh

7:05

5

Wed

@ Cleveland

7:10

5

Sat

@ Pittsburgh

7:05

6

Thu

@ Cleveland

6:10

6

Sun

@ Pittsburgh

1:35

7

Fri

@ Milwaukee

7:10

7

Mon

OFF DAY

8

Sat

@ Milwaukee

6:10

8

Tue

@ Chicago Cubs

7:15

9

Sun

@ Milwaukee

1:10

9

Wed

@ Chicago Cubs

7:15

10

Mon

OFF DAY

10

Thu

@ Chicago Cubs

7:15

11

Tue

Kansas City

6:40

11

Fri

@ St. Louis

7:15

12

Wed

Kansas City

6:40

12

Sat

@ St. Louis

7:15

13

Thu

Pittsburgh

5:10

13

Sun

@ St. Louis

1:15

14

Fri

Pittsburgh

7:10

14

Mon

Pittsburgh

6:40

15

Sat

Pittsburgh

6:10

15

Tue

Pittsburgh

6:40

16

Sun

Pittsburgh

1:10

16

Wed

Pittsburgh

6:40

17

Mon

OFF DAY

17

Thu

OFF DAY

18

Tue

@ Kansas City

7:05

18

Fri

Chicago White Sox

7:10

19

Wed

@ Kansas City

7:05

19

Sat

Chicago White Sox

6:10

20

Thu

@ St. Louis

7:15

20

Sun

Chicago White Sox

1:10

21

Fri

@ St. Louis

7:15

21

Mon

Milwaukee

6:40

22

Sat

@ St. Louis

7:15

22

Tue

Milwaukee

6:40

23

Sun

@ St. Louis

1:15

23

Wed

Milwaukee

6:40

24

Mon

@ Milwaukee

7:10

24

Thu

OFF DAY

25

Tue

@ Milwaukee

7:10

25

Fri

@ Minnesota

7:10

26

Wed

@ Milwaukee

7:10

26

Sat

@ Minnesota

6:10

27

Thu

@ Milwaukee

7:10

27

Sun

@ Minnesota

2:10

28

Fri

Chicago Cubs

7:10

29

Sat

Chicago Cubs

6:10

30

Sun

Chicago Cubs

1:10

31

Mon

St. Louis

6:40