Homer Drought Ends Reds Grind Out A Sweep Of Texas

 

The Reds swept the American West leading Texas Rangers without hitting a home run grinding out a 5-3 win. It was the Reds' first sweep of the season.

Nick Senzel hit the Reds first home run in nine games to break the drought.  Senzel's first career walk off home run was his first home run of the season. 

"I was talking to David after the game," Senzel said. "I told him we were making it hard on ourselves trying to scratch hit after hit.  It's nice to hit one out every now and again."

"We knew it (a home run) was going to come," Bell said. "It was a matter of time. It couldn't come at a better time.  We've been scoring in other ways which was great.  We have the ability to hit homers too.  They will come without trying to do it.  That was certainly not on Nick's mind in that at bat. It just happened because that is what happens when you put a good swing on the ball."

After scoring 14 runs in a pair of 7-6 comeback wins, this time starting pitchers Graham Ashcraft for the Reds and Jon Gray for Texas turned in quality starts.

The Reds didn't hit a home run in eight games. The longest home run drought since April 1992.

Ashcraft pitched out of a bases loaded no out jam in the second inning.  A single by Adolis Garcia started it.  Ashcraft hit Josh Jung with a pitch and walked Jonah Heim.  Ashcraft bore down. He got Robbie Grossman to pop up in the infield.  He struck out Brad Miller on three pitches.  Number nine hitter Josh Smith hit a slow ground ball to first base to end the inning.

The Reds offense took the momentum and put up a pair of runs against Gray in their half of the inning. Tyler Stephenson doubled down the left field line.  Jake Fraley, who got a key hit in the Reds six-run eighth on Tuesday night, hit a long fly to deep right center. Former Red Travis Jankowski ran it down.  Last night as a pinch hitter Fraley doubled in the two-tying runs with a bloop down the left field line, "a hit off the knuckles" Texas manager Bruce Bochy lamented.  This time he was robbed. Henry Ramos lined a Gray pitch to the other gap that Jankowski dived for it but it eluded him.  Ramos ended up with an RBI triple.  Keven Newman grounded to Jung at third but Ramos easily beat the throw home.

Ashcraft walked Marcus Semien one out into the fifth.  The fourth walk he issued in the game.  Leody Taveras singled.  He took over for Jankowski, who left with left hip tightness from the second inning.  Nathaniel Lowe fisted a double to left, down the line.  Ezequiel Duran, who replaced Jung, tied the game with a sacrifice fly to right. Jung had his left hand x-rayed which was negative.

Nick Senzel singled to start the Reds' half of the fifth.  Curt Casali bunted to move Senzel to second.  Senzel stole third and scored on a fly to left by TJ Friedl.

Ashcraft pitched six innings, allowing two runs on three hits but he walked four.  He struck out just two.

Alex Young took over in the seventh. 

Gray left after the sixth inning. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks.  He struck out two, which gave him exactly 1,000 for his career. Josh Sborz relieved Gray. 

Young got left handed batter Lowe out to start the eighth.  David Bell brought in Ian Gibaut, who struck out Garcia but hit Duran.  Curt Casali threw out Duran trying to steal to end the inning. 

Heim doubled off Gibaut to start the ninth.  Grossman rolled a single to left to put runners on the corner with no outs.  Lucas Sims came in to attempt the save.  Brad Miller hit a sacrifice fly but Sims fanned Semien and Taveras to send the game to the bottom of the ninth.

"Of course I was thinking strikeout in that situation you want to get out of it and gives us a win but you don't want to be too cute and dig a deeper hole," Sims said.  "I was trying at worse case limiting it to one and give our guys a chance to put up a run in the bottom of the ninth to win it. Our guys came through."

Bochy brought in Jonathan Hernandez in to send the game to extra innings.  He collected his sixth straight scoreless outing on Tuesday which dropped his ERA to 1.80.

Kevin Newman hit a ground ball up the middle that shortstop Josh Smith had to stretch to field.  Smith's attempt to throw Newman out got past Lowe at first. Newman went to second base.  Senzel worked the count to 3-2 then hit a slider deep to left. The ball hit the rail just beyond the outfield wall for the game winner.

"I didn't know it was gone but I thought just please hit the wall so we can score that run," Senzel said.  "To see it go out it was pretty exhilarating."

Emotional Win

Graham Ashcraft was dealing with emotions when he took the mound.  His grandmother died in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Monday.  She would keep score of Reds' games even if Graham wasn't pitching.

The Reds pitcher broke down after the game. He told Bell that he wanted to go back out for the sixth inning.  Bell asked if he was o.k.

 

"That last inning was for her," Ashcraft said.  "She wanted me to go out. It means a lot to see the love that comes out of this clubhouse in a short period of time. She was such a great lady.  She never missed a game. I made her happy today."

Bell lost his grandfather Gus, who played for the Reds, days after his Major League debut in 1995.

"It was a tough week. I know how important it was today for Graham to go out and compete.  When you go through something like that, the loss of a loved one, it is really tough to hold it together and do your job.  I know that Graham thought that was the best way he could honor his grandmother. It was just all heart, all heart."

 

Reds Mount Big Comeback To Wrangle Rangers

 

Jonathan India erased a night of frustration with a two-run single to cap a six-run eighth inning to give the Reds a second straight 7-6 over the Texas Rangers

The Reds bullpen was again the unsung hero after another poor start by the starting pitcher.  This time it was Luke Weaver.

Derek Law, Reiver Sanmartin and Alexis Diaz blanked the hard hitting Rangers over the final 3 2/3 innings to allow the late rally, that wasted a great start by Texas starter Martin Perez.

For the second straight night the Rangers bullpen failed manager Bruce Bochy.

Jonathan Hernandez, Cole Ragans and veteran Ian Kennedy were the culprits.

The Reds have parlayed singles and walks into big rallies the last two nights to score 14 runs without a home run.  They have gone eight games without hitting a ball out of homer friendly Great American Ball Park.

Ragans started the fateful eighth on the mound for Texas. He got a ground ball out of Spencer Steer. But he hit Stuart Fairchild with a pitch. Tyler Stephenson hit his second single of the game.  Henry Ramos drilled a pitch off Ragans glove.  It rolled far enough for Ramos to reach with his second hit as Fairchild scored.  Kevin Newman popped out.  Senzel drove in a run with a sharp single. a Barrero walked to load the bases. The left handed hitting TJ Friedl was due up to face the left handed Ragans.  David Bell countered with Wil Myers, who was scheduled to start but was a late scratch with neck spasms.  Bruce Bochy played the percentages and brought in Kennedy to face Myers.  Bell countered with Jake Fraley, who tied the game with a bloop double down the left field line.

"I was trying to stay simple, said Fraley.  "You have an idea, who they are going to bring in match up wise.  You don't know when DB will put you in the game but we have the ability.  I knew how Kennedy was going to attack me. I just tried to stay on it.  I was able to eliminate the bottom half of the zone so I didn't chase the split.  As soon as I had it i knew it was going straight.  It didn't have any slice to it."

India hit a hard single to center to send the winning run home, after going 0-for-4 and unable to solve Perez, leaving four runners on base in his last two at bats. 

"It was a tough night for me at the plate," India said. "Perez was tough on me. I can't remember when I struck out on three straight swings like I did in the first inning.  You can't really dwell on at bats.  You think about the next one."

Alexis Diaz saved the game for Sanmartin, striking out two batters with the tying run on second base.

Nathaniel Lowe homered and doubled off Luke Weaver to lead stake the Rangers to an early lead.

Lowe's third home run of the season came with two outs in the first inning.  His double led off the fourth.  He stopped at third on a double by the hot hitting Adolis Garcia.  Lowe misread the ball that Nick Senzel cut off on one bounce.  He tagged at second, believing that Senzel would catch it.  Weaver, who allowed four first inning runs in his last start, struck out Josh Jung.

Jonah Heim grounded to Tyler Stephenson right at the first base bag. Stephenson took his eye off the ball, trying to throw Lowe out at home.  The first baseman dropped the ball and had to be content to step on the base to retire the batter.

Marcus Semien hit his fifth home run of the season in the fifth inning.

Travis Jankowski and Garcia singled and scored on Jung's double to put the Rangers up 5-0.

Ranger's left handed starter, Perez, was shutting out the Reds on one hit through four innings.  The Reds put runners on first and third on singles by Senzel and Luke Maile but Jonathan India popped out the the first basemen, Lowe to end the mild threat.

Weaver faced a mild threat in Josh Smith, the shortstop, hitting .162 but Smith hit his first home run of the season and third of his career to extend the Rangers' lead to 6-0.  

Derek Law took over for Weaver, who gave up six runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.  He walked three and struck out eight.

The Reds avoided their fourth white wash in eight games with a run in the seventh off Perez.  Henry Ramos beat out a ground ball into the hole at shortstop.  Smith threw wild to first and Ramos moved to second.  Kevin Newman and Senzel singled to break the shut out.  Perez struck out Barrero then left in favor of Jonathan Hernandez.

Pinch hitter TJ Friedl struck out and India flew out to center to end the inning.

TJ Friedl Delivered Jonathan India To Break The Reds Losing Streak

 

TJ Friedl drove in Jonathan India in the ninth inning to snap the Reds six game losing streak in a 7-6 walk off win. Friedl tried to bunt India to second but a wild pitch took care of that.

Now the goal was to get him to third but Friedl skipped a step and lined a 3-2 pitch to right centerfield.

"At first I was just trying to get Jon to second," Friedl said.  "Then I was trying to get him to third.  I kind of pulled off.  I trust my bunting. But I'm comfortable pulling the ball when he was on second.  Smith is a heavy slider guy I knew I had a good chance to pull it."

Texas sent in Smith for the lefty-lefty matchup.

"I've been a lot more comfortable hitting off lefties the last couple years.  I made some adjustments matching the plane," Friedl said.  "I can pick the ball up better and with my bunting it helps a lot."

Nick Lodolo had his second straight poor start of the season in the series opening game against the Texas Rangers at Great American Ball Park.  

Josh Jung hit two home runs off Lodolo and drove in three as they tagged Lodolo for six runs on nine hits in four innings.

The Reds' left hander started strong, striking out all three Rangers' batters looking in the first inning.  After he struck out he American League Player of the Week, Adolis Garcia to open the second inning.  Jung hit his fourth home run of the season into the left field stands.

It erased the Reds' 1-0 lead.  Jonathan India led off the game against Nathan Eovaldi with a double that left fielder Bubba Thompson lost the ball in the evening sun.  India took third on a wild pitch but Eovaldi struck out TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley but Tyler Stephenson hit a slow roller to Jung at third.  The throw eluded Nathaniel Lowe at first base.  Originally, ruled a hit but later changed to an error.

Ezequiel Duran and Leody Taveras doubled.   Thompson and Marcus Semien singled off Lodolo to put Texas up 3-1.  Jung's second home run of the game followed Garcia's single to expand the Ranger's lead. 

Jose Barrero made a diving stop and turned it into an inning ending double play.

The Reds came back in the third.

India walked and Eovaldi hit Friedl with a pitch.  Spencer Steer drilled a triple over Taveras head in center.  He scored on a ground out by Stephenson.

"It was great to see some balls fall," Steer said.  "That's been the story lately.  Even when we have hit the balls hard, they were catching them.  I hit the triple well. I knew I had to run my butt off. I saw he almost caught it. I didn't realize it was that close. I honestly thought I hit it better. We've been going through a tough stretch. Tonight even though it was 5-1, the energy was still there."

Lodolo walked the light hitting Thompson to open the fourth.  Thompson stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch.  Robbie Grossman delivered him with a single.

Dane Dunning relieved Eovaldi for Texas.  Eovaldi pitched six innings, allowing  runs, three earned on six hits.

Buck Farmer, Ian Gibaut and Lucas Sims retired ten batters in a row to keep the Reds close.

The Reds loaded the bases with two outs against Dunning in the eighth.  Jose Leclerc came in to pitch to switch hitting, Henry Ramos, who joined the Reds before the game.  Ramos, the former Ranger walked to force in the Reds' fifth run. Senzel walked to tie the game. Barrero struck out on a checked swing to take the tie game to the ninth.

Leclerc walked three of the four batters he faced forcing home both of the Reds' eighth inning runs.  He was just missing but Wil Myers, Ramos and Senzel waited him out after Steer's single with one out got the rally started.

"I don't know how they do it," David Bell said. "Taking pitches that close. There were some incredible at bats, Ramos, Senzel, Myers.  That plate discipline has been a strength of ours and it showed up tonight."

Leclerc walked India to start the bottom of the ninth before Bochy summoned Smith.

During the losing streak the Reds failed to score in three of them.  They totaled six runs and did not hit a home run. The stretch of homerless games expanded to seven tonight.  The last time the Reds played seven games without a home run was April 21-27, 2014.

"Especially with what we've been going through, It says a lot about those guys. It starts with being ready to hit and trusting it," Bell said.

"We're not trying to do whatever it needs but not trying to do everything.  I was looking for a strike and he didn't throw one. I was looking for a fastball right there. I don't remember facing him before," Ramos said through interpreter Jorge Merlot.

Alexis Diaz started the ninth for the Reds to earn the win.  The Reds' bullpen retired the last 13 batters and 15 of the last 16.

Tampa Bay Rays Jump All Over Levi Stoudt In A Rout

Levi Stoudt made his first Major League start for the Reds against the red hot Tampa Bay Rays.  The key player in the trade for Luis Castillo to Seattle was greeted by Yandy Diaz sixth home run of the season.

It was the first salvo in a 8-0 Rays win to take two out of three in the series. The Reds have not scored in the last 18 innings.  They lost 10-0 on Tuesday.

"It was kind of a haze," Stoudt said. "The first inning, I kind of came out of it, like what happened.  There were a lot of emotions. The game sped up on me a little bit. I think the biggest thing is I came back and fought through those last three innings. I am going to takeaway the positives."

Brandon Lowe singled and Randy Arozarena drilled a single high off the left field wall.  One out later, Isaac Paredes doubled home B. Lowe.  Josh Lowe singled to score two runs.  He scored on a double by Manuel Margot.  Yesterday's hero, Taylor Walls, watched the sixth run score on a balk.  

The Reds started it's first at bat against Drew Rasmussen in a six-run hole.  

Walls's single drove in Josh Lowe, who walked in the third.  It game the Rays' shortstop five hits and five RBI in the last two games of the series.

Stoudt was able to last four innings before Lucas Sims took over.  Sims from the injured list from lower back spasms.

"Levi was very excited to be out there, emotional.  It is a dream come true for every player to be out there," David Bell said. "The first inning, I don't care how good you are. You don't know what to expect. It is a lot to deal with just the emotions of being on Major League mound for the first time.  In between the first and second, he was able to settle in."

Fernando Cruz walked the first two Rays in the sixth inning.  Diaz and B. Lowe singled for one run but Cruz struck out two to limit the damage. 

Rasmussen finished with five innings. He allowed three singles and three walks before Josh Fleming came into the game in the sixth.

The Reds finished the game with another position player pitching the ninth inning.  Jason Vosler, who pitched the ninth inning on Sunday returned to the mound against the Rays.  Luke Maile finished the game last night.

On a  other side of the pitching debacle, the Reds' managed five singles.  They didn't threaten until the ninth inning when a wild Pete Fairbanks loaded the bases and nearly hit some Reds' hitters.

"Our guys are taking it personal. We faced some good pitching. No doubt about that," Bell said.  "As a competitor, you don't see it that way. We have to find ways to get better."

Bell was ejected by home plate umpire, Erich Bacchus.  He thought the pitcher was coming too close to his hitter's head.

"I don't know the Rays well.  I give them the benefit that it wasn't intentional. I wouldn't accuse them of that," said Bell as much out of frustration over the last two games as anything else. "At the same time, I want our hitters to be protected, especially when they're throwing that hard. I saw a couple. We can't allow that.  Finally, I had enough."

 

Tampa Bay Rays Wreck Reds And Nick Lodolo To Even The Series

Taylor Walls hit two home runs and a triple to drive in four runs as the Tampa Bay Rays drubbed the Reds, 10-0.

The Rays snapped a five-game losing streak to the Reds dating back to April, 2014.  The Reds swept the Rays at Great American Ball Park last season.

The Rays jumped on Nick Lodolo for two home runs in a four-run second inning.  With one out Taylor Walls hit his second home run of the year into the left field stands.  Lodolo got a foul out from Manuel Manuel Margot but catcher Francisco Mejia beat out a slow ground ball to short.  Lodolo hit the number nine hitter, Vidal Brujan with a pitch.  Yandy Diaz blasted his fifth home run of the year to deep left to give Tampa Bay a quick 4-0 lead.

 Nick Lodolo

"I wasn't sharp," Lodolo said. "I was missing middle and that's what good teams will do. It comes down to me and executing. I wasn't even close to executing today. At no point did I want to come out of the game. You have to battle."

David Bell let him battle.

"There were not enough first pitch strikes," Bell said. "He didn't have a good feel for his breaking ball from what I could tell on the side."

"Even guys who have pitched for a long time will have days like this. He doesn't have a ton of experience in this league. We've seen him very good. There's no reason to believe he won't come back from this."

The Rays added three runs in the third.  Randy Arozarena singled.  Harold Ramirez hit a ground ball toward short but Kevin Newman could't make the play.  It was ruled a single, sending Arozarena to third.  Walls drilled a ball over the head of TJ Friedl in center field for a triple.  Margot hit a fly to deep right to send Walls home.

Arozarena hit his fourth home run of the season in the fourth.

Rookie Taj Bradley, making his second Major League start cruised for 5 1/3 innings, striking out nine Reds.  He allowed three harmless singles and walked one for his second win in eight days.  He struck out eight Red Sox batters in his only other appearance on April 12.

Lodolo lasted into fifth inning, 4 2/3, allowing eight earned runs on 12 hits and four walks.  He hit three batters to make matters worse.

Casey Legumina in his second appearance since being recalled from Louisville pitched 2 1/3 innings.  He gave up Walls second home run of the game in the sixth.

"It has been an odd mix of games with a lot of blow outs but our bullpen is in pretty good shape," Bell said.

Alexis Diaz pitched the eighth inning.  He had not pitched in three days and just needed the work.

Yonny Chirinos pitched 2 2/3 innings of shut out baseball to take the white wash into the ninth.

For the third game in a in four days a position player was used to save a bullpen when Covington Catholic grad, Luke Maile pitched the ninth for the Reds. Walls collected his fourth hit of the game, a single.  Mejia doubled home Walls with his fourth hit of the game.

Princeton High School's Josh Harrison finished the game for the Phillies on Saturday.  Jason Vosler mopped up for the Reds on Sunday.

Garret Cleavinger pitched the ninth for Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay leads the Major Leagues in runs per game in improving their record to 15-3 with 125 runs.  They have allowed just 50 runs, the third fewest.

Reds Sign Hunter Greene To A Contract Extension

 

The Reds and Hunter Greene agreed on a contract extension that will keep the first pick in the 2017 on the Reds' mound through at least 2028 for $53 million.  Greene has an option for 2029 in which he will be paid $21 million with a $2 million buyout.

Greene has no decisions in four starts with a 4.24 ERA, covering 17 innings. He has allowed eight runs on 20 hits and one home run.  He has walked six but struck out 24.

The 22-year old will be pitch through his 29th birthday unless the Reds buyout his contract.

Last season Greene made 24 starts that included a complete game shutout.  He also pitched 7 1/3 innings of the Reds' eight inning no-hitter on May 15 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

He missed 43 games with shoulder fatigue but had a 1.02 ERA in his last six starts.

Greene was 5-13 with a 4.44 ERA on the season over 125 2/3 innings. He allowed 24 home runs and 48 walks but struck out 164 batters.

The Reds are counting on Greene along with Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft to anchor the team's starting rotation over the next several years.  The trio all broke into the big leagues last season.  Their growing pain evident in the team's 100-loss season.

Reds Adjust Pitching After Hunter Greene Was Hit With A Line Drive Monday

 

The Reds brought RHP Levi Stoudt from Louisville and placed him on the Taxi Squad.  They optioned Kevin Herget to Louisville.

Stoudt is expected to be activated and make the start for the Reds on Wednesday.  "We told him this would be a spot start," David Bell said. "It pushes everyone back a day.  It gives Hunter (Greene) an extra day." 

Stoudt, who came to the Reds in the trade from Seattle for Luis Castillo, last season. He will make his big league debut.

"He's been pitching well," Bell said.  "He is a part of our plans.  He will go back to Triple A to continue his development. He has really good stuff.  He's very talented. It was important for me to be around him in spring training. He is quiet but he's very determined.  He knows what he needs to do to be successful.  Tomorrow is step one to a very long and successful Reds' career."

Luke Weaver is expected to be activated and make his first start of the season on Thursday at Pittsburgh, taking Connor Overton's place in the rotation. Overton has a strained right elbow.  He will rest from seven to 10 days before starting a throwing program.

The Reds reinstated RHP reliever Lucas Sims from the Injured List.  He has fully recovered from lower back spasms.

Spencer Steer, who suffered a sore knee on Sunday, is feeling better but not in the lineup Tuesday. "He responded well to treatment. Maybe he can be back tomorrow," Bell said.

Reds Cool Hot Rays

 

The hot Tampa Bay Rays entered the first game of the three-game series after tying a Major League record by winning its first 13 games of the season.  The Reds turned the air conditioning on the hot Rays in a 8-1 win.

The Rays led the Major Leagues coming into the game, scoring seven per game.  The scored fewer than three runs just twice and led the big leagues with 69 extra-base hits. 

Manager Kevin Cash used an opener, a relief pitcher by trade LHP Jalen Beeks, to start the game.  Kevin Newman, the designated hitter, hit his second home run of the season. It was the only hit Beeks allowed in three innings.

Hunter Greene, the Reds' starter allowed one hit. It was a lead off double by light hitting catcher Christian Bethancourt in the third inning.  Yandy Diaz lined a pitch off Greene's shin that bounced to first baseman, Wil Myers, who recorded the out.

 "It is super tight," Greene said.  "It sucks but the bullpen did an amazing job. I don't even want to talk about myself. I want to talk about the team, especially Buck (Farmer) it was super last minute."

"I wanted to finish that inning.  I knew I could finish it. As soon as I came in it tightened up right away.  It would have been foolish to back out and just use my arm. I'm just happy the X-ray was negative."

David Bell and the Tomas Vera out to look at Greene, who stayed in the game to complete his third scoreless inning. 

"It was well deserved to talk about the bullpen doing a great job.  A lot of things have to go right," Bell said.  

However, Buck Farmer started the fourth inning.  Bell elected to remove Greene from the contest.

Kevin Kelly took over for Beeks for the Rays.  The Reds got to him right away.

Newman doubled.  Jake Fraley and Nick Senzel, who started the game at third base, walked.  Kelly struck out Jose Barrero but TJ Friedl doubled to the right centerfield gap, clearing the bases to put the Reds ahead, 4-0.

"That was the key hit," said Bell.  The Rays out hit the Reds 8-7.  The Reds had more runs than hits.

After Farmer pitched a scoreless fourth but walked two batters one out into the fifth.  Bell brought in Alex Young.  On his second pitch, Brandon Lowe hit a liner to Myers at first, who doubled Bethancourt off second base.

The Rays loaded the bases against Young.   Randy Arozarena singled to start the inning. Wander Franco beat the relay on an attempted double play grounder to Barrero.  Isaac Paredes hit what looked like an inning ending double play that India bobbled.  Young struck out Josh Lowe for the second out.  Bell summoned Ian Gibaut to face right handed hitting Manuel Margot.  Fraley made a diving catch to keep the Rays from scoring.

"That was one of the best plays, I've seen all year," Bell said.  "Off the bat that was a hit. He came out of nowhere and all out he made a great play."

Newly recalled by the Rays, Cooper Criswell, hit India and Stuart Fairchild.  Tyler Stephenson singled India home.  Newman's third hit, a single expanded the margin to six runs.

Kevin Herget allowed one Rays' hit in a scoreless eighth. Josh Lowe hit his fourth home run of the year leading off the ninth to break the shut out.

Senzel singled and scored on Barrero's double off Criswell in the eighth.  Barrero went to third on the throw home with an acrobatic slide.  Friedl drove in his fourth run of the game with a ground out.

Pay Backs Are A Bitch Phillies Use Big First Inning To Rout Reds

 

 

 

The Philadelphia Phillies took out the frustration on a 13-0 loss on Saturday on Luis Cessa pounding and pinging him for nine runs in the first inning and finished with a series tying, 14-3 win.

Bryson Stott wasted no time extending his hitting streak to 16 games with a drive that reached the right field seats. It was his first of the season and first career leadoff home run.

Cessa gave up an infield single to Trea Turner, then walked Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos in front of a single by Brandon Marsh.  Alec Bohm singled down the third base line.  Third baseman Spencer Steer knocked it down but had no play. Jake Cave cleared the bases with a double and Josh Harrison plated Cave with a single to put the Phillies up 7-0 with one out.  Turner collected the third infield hit of the inning and the Phills added one more in the first.  Schwarber's run scoring double continued the nightmare.  Castellano flied out to mercifully end the inning.

Phillies starter Aaron Nola must have thought he won the lottery when he took the mound in the bottom of the inning.

Three infield hits stretched the Phillies lead to 10 in the third inning before the Reds scored on a double by Jonathan India and a triple by Jake Fraley. The triple that went under the glove of Bohm at first base was later ruled a three-base error.

Cessa took a beating to save the bullpen.  He allowed another run to score on a double by Bohm and single by Cave before hitting Harrison with a pitch in the fourth.  Fernando Cruz came in to mop up.

Luke Maile had two hits which on a normal day would be something to celebrate in his home town.

"Not today. I'm a defense first catcher," Maile said. "It is my job to keep the other team from scoring."

He was proud of Cessa even with the beating.

 

"Obviously the first guy hits a home run into the first row," Maile said.  "The pitch was up but it was just one thing after another.  Anything that could go wrong did. I was really proud of the way he handled it. He covered as many innings as he possibly could. He didn't quit. He gave us as much as he had."

Once the game got out of hand the Reds could only hope to prevent the carnage from affecting future games.

"It was just a tough inning" David Bell said. "Nothing went right. Cess look like his stuff was down, definitely not his best stuff.  To his credit he hung in there and gave us a few more innings which may not sound like a big deal but in the big picture it really is.  We have a long stretch of consecutive games here.  It is not easy but he did it for us to help save our bullpen for the next few days."

The Reds got a pair of sacrifice flies to score in the fourth off Nola to make it an 11-3 game.

Cruz allowed a run in the fifth.  J. T. Realmuto hit his second home run of the season off Reiver Sanmatin.  When he crossed the plate, all the Phillies starters scored at least one run.

Jason Vosler was summoned to pitch the ninth for the Reds, allowing a run on four singles, three more of the infield variety. Steer left the game in the ninth. 

Wil Myers Powers Reds Over Phillies Graham Ashcraft Throws Six Scoreless Innings

 

 

Wil Myers hit two home runs and a run scoring double to put Graham Ashcraft in charge against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 13-0 Reds' triumph.

Myers hit a long home run leading off the second inning to start the scoring against lefty Matt Strahm. He drove in five runs.

"It is nice to get some results there," said Myers, who was hitting just .213 coming into the game. He made a couple adjustments this week. "I think anyone who gets off to a slow start would be a little frustrated. It won't be the last time.  Everybody goes through those times.  It is good to ride these good times when they're going. I will stick to this plan as long as I can."

"I've been streaky in my career.  I just want to keep the good streaks going a little longer."

Strahm struck out six but left after 2 2/3 innings after issuing three walks and throwing a wild pitch.  The Phills manager and trainer visited the mound in the third inning after the first two Reds' batters reached base and he threw a wild pitch.  He stayed to strike out Stuart Fairchild and Tyler Stephenson but left the game.

Myers greeted Andrew Bellatti with a three-run home run for his 12th career two-home run game.

Reds' starter Graham Ashcraft, who started the game with a 1-0 record and a 2.08 ERA in two starts. He pitched six scoreless innings allowing four hits and four walks.

"Everyone of Graham's pitches are plus pitches. I'm glad I don't have to face him," Myers said.

The first two Phillies reached base in the first inning but Ashcraft worked out of it.  He walked Alec Bohm to lead off the second inning but a double play ball off the bat of Jake Cave eased the pain in front of a double by Edmundo Sosa. 

Jonathan India fouled a ball off his foot then hobbled into second base with a double inside third baseh to drive in Jose Barrero to put the Reds up 5-0.

Cincinnati caught a break when Barrero dropped a easy ground ball by Trea Turner for an inning ending force play in the fifth.  His flip to India was wide and rolled to Myers at first base.  He threw Turner out at second before Sosa, who singled could reach home. 

Myers and Fairchild doubled around a walk to Stephenson to ignite a three-run inning against McKinley Moore.  TJ Friedl contributed a two-run single over a drawn-in infield. 

India left the game in the top of the sixth.  Jason Vosler came into first base.  Nick Senzel joined the infield at second base.

Buck Farmer replaced Ashcraft, who left the game with a 1.42 ERA on the season.  Farmer was the losing pitcher in three of the Reds eight losses.

Casey Legumina made his first Major League appearance in the eighth inning.  He took the roster spot of Connor Overton, who went on the IL with an strained right elbow.

Legumina threw two scoreless frames, striking out three.  

"It was a dream come true," Legumina said.  "As your a baseball player growing up. To live that dream is an unreal feeling. I was telling guys all day. It still doesn't feel real.  It's like I'm a ghost but I am. It's awesome."

He is from Chandler, Arizona and worked out with Bell's nephew, Luke, who pitches for Xavier.  Mike Bell, who played for the Reds in 2000 is the Reds manager's late brother, who died of cancer in 2020.  Mike was the bench coach at Minnesota, which drafted Legumina.

"His dad was a Twins guy. I've known Luke for years. It hit me a little harder than others.  Now I'm here with his uncle.  It's pretty crazy," Legumina said. 

Princeton High School and UC star, Josh Harrison, pitched the eighth inning for Philadelphia. He gave up five runs on six hits, including Myers fourth hit of the game and Senzel's first hit of the season

Reds Adjust Pitching Roster Luke Weaver Returns To Rotation Casey Legumina Joins Reds Bullpen

 

 

The Reds placed RHP Connor Overton on the Injured List with a right elbow strain.

"He informed us after he came out of the game last night," David Bell said.  "That's the first we knew of it. He had an MRI this morning and will meet with the doctors later.  He knew something was off last night but didn't know what it was."

Overton, who had recovered from a stress reaction in his lower back, allowed five runs in three innings last night.  He had "Tommy John" surgery in 2017. 

The Reds promoted RHP Casey Legumina to fill Overton's roster spot and shore up the bullpen.

Legumina, who will make his big league debut when he pitches was acquired this winter in the trade that sent Kyle Farmer to Minnesota.

"There is a lot to like about Casey," David Bell said. "What stands out about Casey the most is he doesn't show any fear. He trusts himself and his stuff is really good."

Legumina spent the spring in Goodyear.  He was drafted out of Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 25th round.  He was drafted in the 35th round out of Gonzaga University in 2018 by Cleveland and again in the eighth round out of Gonzaga in 2019 by the Twins.

He missed his first two professional seasons. In 2019 he was hurt and had "Tommy John" surgery in August.  He missed the Covid season in 2020.

Legumina had four appearances at Louisville before the recall, pitching 5 2/3 innings with a 1.59 ERA.

Half of his appearances were starts in the minor leagues.  He was also a starting pitcher at Gonzaga.

"You manage the game a little differently as a starter," said Legumina, who had family with him in Toledo where the Bats were playing.  "When you're in the bullpen, you're ready every day.  As a starter you think oh this is the day I start.  It changes how you manage the hitters.  As a starter, you set the m up.  When you are a reliever, you're on the attack because you might only pitch an inning.  I like that."

The Reds brought Luke Weaver back from a rehab assignment in Louisville.  He will fill Overton's spot in the starting rotation. 

Weaver signed as a free agent to compete for a spot in the starting rotation.

"I didn't realize it was Jackie Robinson Day," Weaver said.  "I don't look at myself as someone who has been around.  I've been around a few players some future Hall of Famers, like Adam Wainwright, Zach Greinke and Madison Baumgardner.  I watched what they did and talked to them on the phone."

Weaver started 25 games with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018.  He made 12 starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019 and 2020.  He was 3-6 in 13 starts in 2021 but pitched out of the bullpen in Arizona and Kansas City last season.

Kyle Schwarber And Edmundo Sosa Help Phillies Get Even

 

Connor Overton is still trying to find the magic that he had before a back ailment took him out of the Reds' rotation last season.  The Philadelphia Phillies solved him for five runs in three innings take the second game of the four-game series with a 8-3 victory.

Middletown native, Kyle Schwarber, hit a high chop double over the first base bag for an RBI double to score Trea Turner.  Edmundo Sosa drilled his second home run of the season, both against the Reds in the second inning.  The Phillies added three runs in the third on a walk to Schwarber, Nick Castellanos' double and Brandon Marsh's triple.  Marsh scored on a sacrifice fly by J.T. Realmuto.

The Reds put runners in scoring position against Taijuan Walker in the first two innings with nothing to show for it.  Jake Fraley's two-out single broke the ice for the Reds, sending Jose Barrero home following his single and a groundout. 

Kevin Herget replaced Overton, who pitched three innings, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks.  

"I was getting behind and then trying to do too much.  You can't have success  here doing that," Overton said.  "My plan was to use the change up a lot but it didn't have the bite it usually has."

David Bell the Reds' manager explained. "It was uncharacteristic of Connor to fall behind hitters.  Any pitcher has to get ahead.  He couldn't find the arm slot to do what he typically does."

"The bullpen did a great job, said Bell of the unit that has been a sore spot in recent close games.  "We thought we could come back and win the game.  Cruz got a little tired.  The pitch count got up a little bit but her threw the ball real well."

Herget held the Phillies on two hits in 2 2/3 innings.  Barrero fumbled a toss from Jonathan India on a potential double play ball that would have ended the sixth inning.  Reiver Sanmartin coaxed Bryson Stott, who earlier extended his hitting streak to 14 games, to fly out to end the threat.

Sanmartin pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings.  Fernando Cruz struck out to to finish the top of the eighth. 

Walker finished six innings for the Phills, allowing one run on four hits and two walks.  He struck out four.

Seranthony Dominguez relieved Walker in the seventh.  Spencer Steer walked and stole second. He scored on a single by India.

Realmuto hit a two-out double in the ninth to add another Phillie run off Cruz.  Alec Bohm followed with a two-run single to cap the scoring for the visitors.

The Reds reached Connor Brogdan for an unearned run in the ninth.  India drove in his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly.

Reds Support Nick Lodolo In Win Over Phillies

 

This time the Reds scored some runs behind Nick Lodolo to avenge a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in a 6-2 triumph. The win snapped a three-game losing streak in which the fell to the Atlanta Braves in one-run losses.

It was Lodolo's mother's birthday.  One year ago today, he made his debut.

"I was thinking about how far I've come," Lodolo said.

The Reds used consecutive singles by Spencer Steer, Stuart Fairchild, Tyler Stephenson and Wil Myers to score three runs off Bailey Falter to take a 4-1 lead in the third inning.  Curt Casali started the inning with a single.  Jose Barrero forced him at second.  India's ground out put Barrero into scoring position and the parade of singles took it from there.

"The singles were big, the two out hits, the add on runs is what our offense did.  Wil (Myers) has been doing this for quite a while.  He's a good hitter and knows what he's doing," Bell said.

Reds' manager David Bell had a meeting this afternoon just to remind his team to keep fighting.

Steer got the message.

"It was awesome two out hitting is how you win ballgames. We had a meeting early in the day and David's message was to fight for every inch," Steer said.  "With two strikes, just finding out how to put the ball in play. I hate striking out.  Sometimes just putting the ball in plays, the ball finds a hole."

Steer has been productive in the early going.

"For a young hitter, he knows what he wants to do.  He can hit a fastball but he still does a good job of staying back on the breaking ball," Bell said.

Nick Lodolo shut out the Phillies on Saturday, a game the bullpen allowed to slip away in a three-run ninth at Philadelphia.  The Phillies had adjusted and plated a run off Lodolo in the first inning.  Lodolo finished the fifth, allowing two runs on eight hits and a pair of walks.

"It is a different type of satisfaction. It was definitely a grind.  It is not how you draw it up but I'm happy with the result over all.  I kept us in the game there and the bullpen was able to come in and throw the ball really well," Lodolo said.

Trea Turner singled ahead of a walk to Kyle Schwarber.  Former Red Nick Castellanos singled to score Turner.

The Reds got the run back one batter into the game.  Jonathan India doubled to lead off.  While Steer was at the plate, India took off to steal third.  A good throw by J.T. Realmuto eluded Edmundo Sosa and after a brief rest, India took off for home to tie the game.

Lodolo pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the second and worked around a leadoff double in the fourth.  Alex Young pitched a clean sixth with a pair of strikeouts and a 1-2-3 seventh.

Schwarber, the Middletown, Ohio native, hit a long home run to right center leading off the fifth inning. It was his fourth of the season, his 23rd against the Reds and 13th at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds got the run back on second singles by Steer, Stephenson and Myers in chasing Falter from the game.

McKinley Moore hit Kevin Newman in the shoulder with a pitch leading off the sixth.  Barrero made him pay with a run-scoring double. 

Derek Law contributed a quick eighth inning and a got two outs in the ninth before turning the game over to Alexis Diaz with two on and two out. 

Diaz struck out Trea Turner to pick up his second save in three tries.

Cubs Rough Up Reds To Even Series

 

 

 The Chicago Cubs used a six-run seventh inning and kept going to defeat the Reds, 12-5 to even the three-game series.

The Reds held a 3-2 lead with Luis Cessa surviving hard hit ball after hard hit ball until the Cubs unloaded on the Cincinnati bullpen.

Cessa benefited by a great catch in foul territory by Wil Benson. 

"When the ball went out to left.  I thought is it in maybe no but I was very happy.  It was a great catch by Benson.," Cessa said.

Friedl made a running catch in center field.  Kevin Newman and Spencer Steer saved hits with their glove.

"They had a good game plan against me," said Cessa, who pitched for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.  "They hit some balls hard but I had a good defense behind me. Benson made a really good catch so did Friedl, Newman.

Singles by Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ and Cody Bellinger started the scoring in the first inning. Hoerner scored on Trey Mancini's line out to right field.

The Reds returned fire against Cubs’s starter Hayden Wesnewski. Jonathan India doubled to lead off. TJ Frieda bunted for a hit but Patrick Wisdom’s throw barely beat him. India scored on Jake Fraley’s single.

Friedl hit his second home run of the season and Jason Vosler hit his third to put the Reds ahead 3-1.

The Cubs reached Cessa for a run after he was lifted for Ian Gibaut. Cessa allowed two earned runs on four hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings.

"It was a really solid start for Luis," David Bell said. "He didn't get built up like the rest of our starters."

"Benson made a great catch. That whole inning there was good defense.  A lot of good things happened. We just couldn't hold on to it."

Eric Hosmer's single off Gibaut scored Wisdom to make it 3-2.

Happ, who came into the game with a lifetime .290 average with 26 home runs and 63 RBI, doubled home Hoerner to tie the game in the seventh.

Mancini and Wisdom singled and Yan Gomes doubled to put the Cubs up 7-3. Miles Mastrobuoni singled. Mancini drove in his third run of the game with a force out. Wisdom doubled in two more runs.  The damage against Buck Farmer and Reiver Sanmartin resulted in an 8-3 lead.

"It was a tough day for the bullpen today but we can win the series tomorrow," Cessa said.

With a day game tomorrow, all of a sudden the Reds are dealing with a frazeled bullpen.

"It is still early on," David Bell said.  "A lot of those guys pitched yesterday.  They're still building up. They have pitched well. They've pitched a lot.  We will have to monitor them.  We will have to figure it out tomorrow for who is available."

Joel Kuhnel gave up three more in the eighth.  Fernando Cruz allowed one in the ninth.  The Cubs scored 10 runs in the last three innings.

Stuart Fairchild, hit his first Major League pinch hit home run with a man on in the eighth.

Happ was 3-for-4 on the night.  Wisdom 3-for-5. The Cubs banged out 16 hits.

Reds Beat Cubs Wipe Out 2022 Bad Start

 

 

 

The Reds did't win their third game until the 16th game of the season in 2022.  The longest winning streak was five games.  They fell to a 3-22 record but the 7-6 win over the Chicago Cubs erased the bitter memory.

The Cubs came to town licking their chops, trying to take the Reds down in the opener of a three-game series.

Two non-roster players who made the team in spring training were key factors in the game.

Jason Vosler hit a three-run home run.  Derek Law earned the save on a good defensive play by Vosler, who didn't start the game.

It looked like the gang from the northside of Chicago were going to do that against Cincinnati.  They scored three fast runs off starter Connor Overton in the first inning.  

Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson opened with singles.  Overton struck out Reds' killer, Ian Happ but a newcomer to the Cubs from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cody Bellinger hit a three-run home run. Trey Mancini and Eric Hosmer also singled in the inning but Overton was able to hold the line.

Cubs' starter, Drew Smyly, who owns a 7-5 career record against the Reds with a 2.92 ERA.  He had allowed only 12 runs in 37 innings  coming into the game.

The Reds retaliated with three runs of their own in the first inning.

Jonathan India walked to start the game. Spencer Steer and Wil Myers hit singles to score India.  Tyler Stephenson singled to load the bases.  Kevin Newman tied the game with a two-run single.

Jose Barrero singled to open the Reds second inning with a single but left the game with tightness in his right hamstring.  Vosler ran for him. TJ Friedl bunted.  Smyly fielded but flipped to an empty first base.  The scorer ruled it a single and two-base error. India's ground ball put the Reds in the lead.

Overton pitched three scoreless innings but ran into more trouble in the fifth.  Swanson singled and Happ doubled.  David Bell brought in Ian Gibaut.  He coaxed Bellinger to pop out.  Mancini sent the tying run home with a ground out.  Gibaut hit Patrick Wisdom with a pitch.  Hosmer's double put the Cubs ahead 6-4. 

The Reds returned fire.  Stephenson singled against Smyly. Stuart Fairchild was hit by a pitch.  Vosler hit his second home run in as many days and the Reds lead 7-6 after five innings.

"It is so much fun just to watch Jason (Vosler)," Bell said.  "He didn't even start the game but he stayed ready.  He is excited to show what kind of player he is. He winds up being a big part of a great win."

Fernando Cruz, Reiver Sanmartin and Buck Farmer nursed the lead into the ninth inning.

Derek Law took the ball in the ninth facing Bellinger, Mancini and Wisdom.  He navigated the inning, surviving two-out singles by Wisdom and Hosmer, for his first save of the year and first since 2019 with Toronto.

"I can't remember the last hitter, said Law who retired Miles Mastrobuoni on a hard ground out to Vosler at first. "I threw a cutter up and in.  He squared it up a little bit.  Thank God we have Vosler on our team right now."

"Derek is another player who has had a lot of success in the big leagues but in a lot of ways has become a better pitcher than he has ever been," Bell said.  "Just the timing of the guys career, he's a better pitcher. He's having fun.  He knows what he needs to do."

It had been a long time between saves for Law.

"Maybe my last save was against the Orioles in 2019," Law recalled.  "I actually think I got Mancini out for that one.  It was great to keep it rolling for us."

Barrero's injury is not serious.

"It was precautionary.  I was aware that he needed to be stretched out, playing a new position," Bell said.  "If he was playing shortstop I would have left him in.  He wanted to stay in.  According to our trainer Sean McQueeney he is available tomorrow."

Welcome Back Kotter Tucker Barnhart Returns

 

 

 

Tucker Barnhart was a Cincinnati Red since he signed as an 18-year old when the club drafted him out of Brownsville, Indiana High School in the 10th round.

Barnhart was going to go to Georgia Tech where a coach there was famous for developing catchers.  He opted to learn in the big leagues.

By the age of 23, Barnhart now 32, broke in with the Reds in 2014. He spent eight years developing into a Gold Glove catcher.

The Reds cut ties after the 2021 season.  Barnhart spent 2022 with the Detroit Tigers but returned today as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

"It was definitely odd walking into the visitors clubhouse," Barnhart told reporters before the game.  "Cincinnati will always have a special place in my heart.  I played with so many awesome teammates.  My favorite memories, making the playoffs in 2020, my big league debut, my Gold gloves in 2018 and 2020, there are probably more that I forget than I remember."

There were a lot of memories, his children were born in the Queen City.  His return was an emotional one.

"I have more nerves today, than I've had in a long time," Barnhart said. The first day of a series is always more of a work day for me, going over scouting reports.  I haven't talked to anybody yet, just some text messages."

David Bell, the Reds' manager, managed him for three seasons.

"It was great to see him," said Bell, who talked to Barnhart briefly today. They were able to catch up more this spring in Arizona.  "Sometimes it seems he is still part of our team.  He invested so much into this team."

The Reds loss of Barnhart is the Cubs game.  David Ross, the Cubs manager, is also a former Reds' catcher. Ross has been through emotional returns like this during his playing days.

"It is exciting to face your former team for the first time," Ross said.  "These are the fun moments, going back to the team where you came up and had success here.  As a catcher, I admired him from afar, for a long, long time.  It's a treat for me as a former catcher to watch guys like him and Yan Gomes.  They love Tucker here so happy he gets to come back to a place where he came up and played most of his career. I hope the fan base show him a lot of love, tonight.  I know this place has meant a lot to him."

While professional baseball is a serious competitive business to players, it is also a activity that should be fun.  Barnhart has that perspective.

"He is fun to have in the clubhouse, you've heard about the combined no-hitter the watches he gave the coaching staff," Ross said. The Cubs pitchers threw nine hitless innings in a spring training game which is completely meaningless but unusual and rare.  Barnhart bought toy Mario Brothers watches. It is a baseball tradition that pitchers and catchers of a regular season no hitters get a new watch.  Barnhart had some fun with it.

"He's the guy who keeps guys loose and also has the salty veteran presence at times too," Ross said. "I can really relate to that at the back end of my career.  He's a fun guy who loves to compete, loves his teammates. He is all in on whatever your doing.  He is also good at his job."

 

Jason Vosler, TJ Friedl Homers Back Graham Ashcraft Over Pirates

 

 

 

Jason Vosler and TJ Friedl hit their first home runs of the season to give Graham Ashcraft the margin he needed to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-1.

Vosler, who is playing first base until Joey Votto returns, hit a towering drive into the seats in right centerfield to start the scoring in the second inning.  He is trying to show he can play at this level.

Vosler played in 77 games over two seasons with the San Francisco Giants. He was released by the Seattle Mariners on January 28 and signed a minor league contract with the Reds on February 1.

"Sometimes all you need is an opportunity," David Bell said. "Sometimes you work, work, work and you're not in the right place at the right time.  Jason (Vosler) is making the most of that opportunity.  He had a great spring training.  He impressed us in a lot of ways."

Vosler also doubled in four at bats.

Tyler Stephenson singled off the glove of shortstop Oneil Cruz to plate Jonathan India an inning later.

Brian Reynolds reached Ashcraft with a home run, one of four allowed by the sophomore right hander in seven innings.  He is the first pitcher to pitch that far into a game.

"After the Reynolds home run, McCutchen I walked him and kind of sped up," Ashcraft said. "DJ came out and slowed me down and I kind of locked it in."

The Reds threatened in seventh with India singled  and Friedl bunted for a hit.  They reached scoring position but a nice running catch by Andrew McCutchen robbed Stephenson of two RBI. 

"I've hit a home run and got a bunt hit multiple times in the same game," Freidl said.  "Bunting is part of my game.  Ke'Bryan Hayes has been in my face all series.  When Jonathan got that hit, it was a perfect time to start a rally but I wanted to make the pitcher field it."

Alex Young replaced Ashcraft.

Rodolfo Castro and Cruz opened the eighth with singles for the Pirates. Cruz' hit fell in between Keven Newman and Jake Fraley.  Newman called for it but Fraley called him off. 

Derek Law replaced Young after Reynolds flied out to deep right field.  McCutchen flew out to shallow right.  Carlos Santana grounded out to end the threat.

Alexis Diaz came pitched a perfect ninth for his first save of the season.

Getting five innings from Ashcraft was significant.

"The last few starts in spring for Ashcraft carried over. His slider got better as the game went on. Getting seven innings was really important for out bullpen and set them up to finish it off," Bell said  

"He really found momentum at the end of spring training and couldn't wait for the season to start.  He just attacked and threw strikes."

"There is no one in our clubhouse, who doesn't think Graham could be one of the best in the game. More importantly, Graham believes that. He knows he's got to keep getting better and to keep working. He has the competitive nature and work ethic."