tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71022322839603380312024-03-17T23:01:51.249-04:00Full of SchatzCincinnati Sports News and CommentaryGary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.comBlogger3643125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-56042044303361649262024-02-22T11:48:00.000-05:002024-02-22T11:48:04.293-05:00Diversification The Key To Reds Roster Improvement<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Both general manager Nick Krall and manager David Bell are proponents of moving players to different positions to get bats in the lineup.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds recent history has shown that the outfield is a solution to position gluts like the Reds are experiencing in the infield.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Steer played 47 games in the outfield last season and 16 at second base.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Right now the outfield is in good hands too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-18041204747060953852024-02-01T18:04:00.004-05:002024-02-01T18:04:30.961-05:00Brent Suter Returns Home To Help Reds Moeller HS Grad Extends Legacy<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Brent Suter would make the short drive from his east side, Cincinnati suburb to cheer on his hometown Reds.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Two others, Andrew Brackman and Adam Hyzdu played in the Reds organization. Five others have played in major league games.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Suter was on the 2008 team that lost in the state semi-finals.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The former Crusader was a 31st round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers out of Harvard University.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Suter will compete with fellow southpaws Sam Moll and Alex Young to pitch out of the Reds' bullpen. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The 6'4", 228 pound Harvard grad has a degree in environmental science and public policy</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As a hitter Suter owns a home run, hit off Corey Kluber of Cleveland on May 8, 2018.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-527037976023960902024-01-31T15:37:00.004-05:002024-02-01T18:07:59.357-05:00Reds Invest $100 Million On 2024 Roster<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Krall most recently signed Montas (30) and Martinez (33) to supplement the group of youngsters. Both are righthanded.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Montas reportedly signed for one year at $14 million with mutual option for $20 million in 2025 with a $2 million dollar buyout.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Martinez signed for two years at $26 million but can opt out after the 2024.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pagan reportedly has a one-year contract with a player option which could net him $16 million.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Candelario hit .251 with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs last season. He hit 22 home runs but also belted 39 doubles.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Some of those doubles could turn into home runs at Great American Ball Park," Krall said.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-64726005304854570312023-11-25T22:43:00.002-05:002023-11-26T05:32:02.484-05:00Cincinnati Closes First Big 12 Season With A Loss<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Cincinnati Bearcats closed their first season in the Big 12 with a 49-16 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The loss left Cincinnati out of Bowl Games and forced them to look forward to spring practice.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Kansas finished with an 8-4 record, 5-4 in the conference. They are eligible for a Bowl Game.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Bearcats scored first off the opening kickoff with 49-yard field goal by Carter Brown after a drive that chewed up 6:48.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Dylan McDuffie finished with a six-yard touchdown carry with 47 seconds left.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-10308988423797155062023-11-04T18:46:00.000-04:002023-11-04T18:46:53.168-04:00UCF Hands Bearcats A Seventh Straight Loss Ruins Bowl Appearance Chances<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After a disastrous misthrow on a fourth and one play, Cincinnati starting quarterback, Emory Jones, was replaced by Brady Lichtenberg.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">UCF drove 88 yards for a touchdown drive that ended with a 13-yard run by RJ Harvey.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jones returned to lead a 73-yard drive that concluded with an 11-yard touchdown strike to Braden Smith.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Harvey ran for his third touchdown from one-yard out with 2:41 to finish off the Bearcats.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Corey Kiner led the Bearcats with the 114 yards. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ryan Montgomery</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> rushed for 113 yards.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-3242490827087484242023-10-21T15:28:00.001-04:002023-10-21T15:28:28.067-04:00First Bears Bearcat Game Goes To The Genus Ursus As Cincinnati Lost Fifth Straight<p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was the first ever meeting of the two Big 12 rivals.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The play reversed the trend for Cincinnati, which has had trouble scoring from inside the 20 yard line this season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Braden Smith fumbled the kickoff return into the arms of Byron Vaughns who returned it 10 yards for the score.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hankins added a 43-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-82334167071260885532023-10-14T16:14:00.001-04:002023-10-14T16:14:26.871-04:00Iowa State Extends Bearcats Losing Streak <p> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The statistics were more even than the final score. Iowa State had 364 yards of offense. Cincinnati had 214.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Brady Lichtenberg took over for Emory Jones in the fourth quarter.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Bearcats scored its first touchdowns in 17 possessions at home when Jones found Chamon Metayer open for a 20-yard score.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Brecht threw his second touchdown of the game 13 yards to Jack Bjorn.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-35110523867860024042023-09-24T16:18:00.004-04:002023-09-24T17:53:37.304-04:00In What Could Be Joey Votto's Last Game Reds Keep Playoff Hopes Alive<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Alexis Diaz rebounded from two horrible appearances to work a scoreless eighth. Ian Gibaut set the Pirates down in order for his third save. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Buck Farmer relieved Williamson, who allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings on four hits and a walk. He struck out three.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was the third straight game with a home run for Friedl, including an inside-the-park home run on Saturday.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Joey means so much to us. No one works harder. He will play again," Jonathan India said. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Pirates insured a losing season with it's 82nd loss after being 20-8 early on.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-42857183809481837382023-09-23T22:03:00.003-04:002023-09-23T23:11:10.815-04:00The Pittsburgh Pirates Rallied From A Nine-Run Hole To Damage Reds Playoff Hopes<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Diaz in his last two appearances pitched one inning, allowed seven runs on seven hits with a walk and a hit batter.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Have you asked too much of the bullpen?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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."</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Reds rookie </span><span>Christian Encarnacion-Strand and catcher Tyler Stephenson had two hits and three runs batted in off Bailey Falter in their first to at bats.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Connor Phillips dominated for five innings but Alex Young and Fernando Cruz had all kinds of trouble with the Pirates</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Carmen Mlodzinski started the ninth for the Pirates. Closer David Bednar was used in three straight games.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Catcher Stephenson was asked about the bullpen over the last three games.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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)."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-27106873159953553062023-09-23T15:22:00.000-04:002023-09-23T15:22:08.020-04:00Cincinnati Opens Big-12 Era With A 20-6 Loss To Number 16 Oklahoma<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><br /></p><p>The Oklahoma Sooners took control in the second half to defeat the Cincinnati Bearcats in its first Big 12 matchup.</p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>A 30-yard field goal by Zach Schmit sealed the Bearcats' fate.</p><p>The Cincinnati Bearcats scored first on a 40-yard field goal by Carter Brown. </p><p>The Bearcats drove to the Oklahoma 22 yard line aided by a pass interference call against Gentry Williams.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Brown kicked a career-long 54-yard field goal in the third quarter to get UC within a touchdown.</p><p>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. </p><p>The Bearcats were missing senior linebacker Deshawn Pace, who violated team rules. He was replaced by fellow Colerain grad, Ken Willis.</p><p>It was the first time Cincinnati has lost consecutive games at home since.</p><p>Cincinnati dropped to 0-3 all time versus Oklahoma. They lost to the Sooners on September 25, 2010 at Paul Brown Stadium</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-53048647351697997842023-09-23T11:56:00.007-04:002023-09-23T19:01:13.846-04:00Pirates Throw Cold Water On Reds Playoff Hopes In See Saw Win<p><a href="https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/pirates-score-two-runs-in-7th-rally-to-beat-reds-18383902.php" rel="nofollow">https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/pirates-score-two-runs-in-7th-rally-to-beat-reds-18383902.php</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/pirates-score-two-runs-in-7th-rally-to-beat-reds-18383902.php" rel="nofollow">https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/pirates-score-two-runs-in-7th-rally-to-beat-reds-18383902.php</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-47187202720850957742023-09-20T15:28:00.002-04:002023-09-20T17:08:12.496-04:00Twins Rally To Take Series Ruined Hunter Greene's Dominate Start<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hunter Greene struck out a career-high 14 batters in seven innings.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The 14 strikeouts were the most by a Reds' pitcher since Ron Villone struck out 16 batters in St. Louis on September 29, 2000.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I'm not really focused on my performance," Greene said. "</span>Days like today are really frustrating. <span style="font-size: large;">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."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Christian Encarnacion-Strand launched his ninth home run to open the fourth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><div><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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."</span></p></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"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."</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ian Gibaut gave up a lead off double to Vazquez and a one-out single to Julien to make it a one-run contest.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Alexis Diaz pitched the ninth to attempt his 38th save in 40 chances.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"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."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Griffin Jax pitched the ninth to earn his third save.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"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."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-1482924600239526682023-09-19T21:50:00.001-04:002023-09-19T22:35:11.923-04:00Kenta Maeda Out Duels Reds Bullpen To Even The Series<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Kenta Maeda pitched five scoreless innings for the Minnesota Twins against a Reds team that has run out of starting pitching. The Reds' bullpen could not match Maeda. The Twins evened the series with a 7-0 win.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Twins scored first. Opener Fernando Cruz walked Max Kepler to lead off the second inning. Kepler stole second as Willi Castro struck out. After his fourth strike out of the game, David Bell, called on Buck Farmer, who walked Ryan Jeffers. Matt Wallner singled to score Kepler but Buck Farmer retired the Twins' Kyle Farmer on a fly to center.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Buck Farmer and Daniel Duarte held the Twins off the scoreboard through the third.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jeffers lined his 11th home run of the season in the fourth inning against the Reds' fourth pitcher Alex Young.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Maeda retired the first 11 Reds' batters in order. Spencer Steer doubled with two outs in the fourth. Jake Fraley walked and the pair pulled a double steal. Castro made a sliding catch against Tyler Stephenson's bid to tie the game.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Maeda made it tough for us. He really had the split working. We struck out a lot. It was one of those nights," David Bell said.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Minnesota added two runs against Ben Lively in the sixth. With one out, Matt Wallner, Kyle Farmer, Edouard Julien and Jorge Polanco placed singles before Royce Lewis hit into a doublewplay.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Maeda pitched five innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out eight. Kody Funderburk, a left hander relieved Maeda.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lively walked Max Kepler, the lead off batter in the seventh inning. Castro followed with his eighth home run of the season into the first row of the right field bleachers.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lively was slated to eat most of the middle innings. He gave up five runs on seven hits and four walks in four frames.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">"The story of the game for me was we weren't able to score runs. We were in a situation tonight where a lot of guys were going to pitch. Ben was going to pick up those innings but when you're not scoring it puts a lot of pressure on the pitchings. We have to turn the page, quickly," Bell said.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Castro robbed Stephenson for the second time leaping above the fence to make the catch with a runner on base.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Castro took four runs off the board tonight," Bell said. "It is amazing how a play like that can absolutely change a game. It changes how we manage the game and how they manage the game. It is all about players making plays. They were able to do that tonight."</span></p><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Julien scored on a wild pitch by Derek Law in the eighth. Lively was charged with five runs in four innings.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-79584436350542835672023-09-18T20:54:00.002-04:002023-09-18T22:27:46.968-04:00Will Benson Backs Connor Phillips Gem To Best The Twins <p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Will Benson hit a near home run and a real home run that scored three runs and supported rookie Connor Phillips seven-inning effort over the Minnesota Twins to notch his first career win 7-3.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Phillips allowed just three hits, including a pair of solo home runs to give the pitching strapped Reds seven strong innings to save the bullpen. He walked one and struck out seven.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It was a great start for our team," David Bell said. "We talked about how important these games are. That is a good hitting team over there. It was an important game. To go deep in the game it gave our bullpen a little break, in so many ways it was a huge start."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Without injuries to the likes of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft, plus Covid issues on the pitching staff, the 22-year old would not have been brought to the big leagues this season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"On top of that for Connor and where he is in his career in his beginning stages to show, prove to himself if he can throw strikes and trust himself. If he can prove it to himself how good he can be it will help you the rest of the way."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds got to Twins starter Joe Ryan in the second inning. Tyler Stephenson drew the second leadoff walk issued by Ryan. Joey Votto rifled a single past first baseman, Alex Kirilloff for a single. Noelvi Marte singled to score Stephenson. Votto went to third and Marte moved to second on the throw to get Votto. Will Benson launched a drive to deep center. Centerfielder Michael A. Taylor caught the ball at the top of the fence but Votto scored.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Connor Phillips pitched three scoreless innings to start the game for the Reds but Royce Lewis led off the fourth inning with his 15th home run to dead center to cut the Reds lead in half.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Phillips made 18 first pitch strikes among the 26 batters he faced in his third outing. He allowed four three home runs in his prior 8 2/3 innings, all with runners on. This time out the bases were empty when he was touched by the long ball.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I think every thing tonight kind of clicked," Phillips said. "I was able to get ahead early whenever I do that the outcomes are usually pretty good."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"I think it comes down throwing strike one. The stuff is going to be there and once I get ahead I can put guys away. It is something that I haven't always been the best at but when I do the outcomes are pretty good."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Robbed in the second inning Benson followed a walk to Marte with his 11th home run to victimized Ryan.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Taylor made a great play," Benson said. "It was funny I kind of had a feeling he was going to do that. I've seen him do that before. I was hoping and praying he wouldn't do that but when he did it I wasn't surprised. On the second one, I was screaming you can't rob that one. It was funny too before the game I told Tim (LaMonte) our hitting coach that I was going to hit a splitter out."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>Phillips retired 10 batters in a row after the home run by Lewis and a single by Max Kepler. Kirilloff hit his ninth home run to cut the Reds' lead to 4-2. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds added on in the seventh against former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel. India led off with his second walk. TJ Friedl singled India to third. Spencer Steer's third hit of the game drove home India. It was Steer's team leading 82nd RBI of the season and came against the team that traded him to the Reds for Tyler Mahle. Jake Fraley reached on an infield single to load the bases but Stephenson hit a one-hop ground ball to the drawn in Lewis who threw home to get Friedl. Catcher Christian Vazquez threw Stephenson out at first. Votto delivered a two-run single. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Derek Law pitched a perfect eighth inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Alex Young pitched the ninth in his return from the injured list. He allowed an RBI double to former Red Kyle Farmer.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Benson made the team out of spring training but struggled horribly. He returned and has shown off his talents to help the Reds get and stay in contention.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"He has an elite attitude, I would say, he's a great talent and turning into a really good ball player all around. His attitude is a big reason why. Even when he doesn't start, he's fully engaged. He's been a big part of our team," Bell said.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-76174038949610583572023-09-10T16:10:00.002-04:002023-09-10T17:53:03.056-04:00Reds Get Three Key Players Back Contribute To Victory Over Cardinals<p> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hunter Greene, Jonathan India and Joey Votto on his 40th birthday returned to the Reds lineup. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">All three made major contributions to the Reds' series salvaging 7-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, keeping the home teams playoffs hopes in focus.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"We are at must win stage now," Votto said. "We have 17 games remaining and a lot of good teams ahead of us. All of these games feel, must winish. We take them all seriously. To round out a series with a win after two tough losses is a big deal.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">India missed 39 games with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. India lined his 15th home run of the season in his first plate appearance. Will Benson also victimized Miles Mikolas with his 10th home run later in the inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It definitely felt good to be out there with the guys and get a W," India said. "I worked really hard to get back. I'm happy I'm back."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It hasn't been a great month for the Reds or the last two months," India said. "We have to give it all we've got. It sucked sitting out two months. I hate that. I love to be on the field. This was something I didn't want to mess with. The pain went away pretty quick but it was the trusting it again and building up, making sure I can give all I've got when I'm on the field. It was something, that I didn't want to affect my career. I took a step back and learned some things about my body."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Greene recovered from Covid and started the game for the Reds. He walked one batter in each of the first three innings but did not allow a hit. The Cardinals got a run back when Nolan Arenado reached on third baseman Spencer Steer's error leading off the fourth inning. A walk to Tyler O'Neil moved Arenado into scoring position. With two outs Andrew Knizner broke a personal 1-for-23 slump by slapping an RBI single past India to drive home Arenado with an unearned run.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">TJ Friedl tripled and scored on Steer's single in the sixth inning to extend the Reds' lead. Nick Martini tripled in the gap between the right and center fielder to add the Reds' fourth run. Cardinals' manager Oliver Marmol brought on Andre Palante to pitch to Votto. Pinch runner Harrison Bader scored on Votto's RBI ground out. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Greene pitched six inning and the only blemish was an unearned run. He walked four and allowed just one hit with nine strikeouts. Greene retired the last seven batters he faced.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Walks were the frustrating part," Greene said. "Looking at the side of the game where you can be better and improve on in situations, I have to limit them. Overall being able to put guys away when I needed to, I feel like I did a good job of that. On the last batter (Luken Baker strikeout), I was trying to finish strong getting to three balls there. I feel like I'm a lot better in those situations in general. I wanted to bear down. I didn't want to walk him. I knew what my pitch count was and did not want David to come out there."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Friedl hit a pitch from left handed pitcher Andrew Suarez into the right field seats for his 13th home run in the seventh inning. Votto drilled another pitch from Suarez into the stands for his 14th home run of the season on his 40th birthday.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was the fourth time that Votto has homered on his birthday and his flair for dramatics on his return equals what he did earlier in the season after missing most of the season with shoulder surgery.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"How many seasons have I played? Sixteen so I've hit one in four on my birthday. I'm not worried about the first game. Frankly, I'm focusing on being available to play and help the team. That sounds cliche but that's as sincere as I possibly can be," Votto said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-68484807087901268502023-09-09T21:49:00.003-04:002023-09-09T22:35:39.738-04:00Cardinals Edge Reds For Second Win Of The Series<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lars Nootbaar hit a two-out double in the fourth inning to put the St. Louis Cardinals ahead, 4-3 and their bullpen made it stand up for the second win of the series which damaged the Reds playoff chances.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds have 18 games left while Milwaukee has 20 left. Any combination of Brewers' wins and Reds' losses that add to 13 eliminate the Reds from the division lead. Cincinnati is now 2 1/2 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the third wild card playoff spot.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I'm so happy and so proud of our players for how they continue to play," David Bell said. "Not from the very beginning of the season did we ask for it to be easy, ever. The fact that we keep going, we're going to continue to play hard and we have a long, long way to go. We have an opportunity in front of us. It is still all about how we approach and how we play." </span></p><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Reds had four base runners, two singles and three walks over the final six frames. Casey Lawrence, John King, Giovanny Gallegos and Ryan Helsley kept the Reds from coming back for the 45th time this season.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Helsley walked Christian Encarnacion-Strand to open the ninth. Tyler Stephenson hit a ground ball to shortstop. Stephenson beat the relay but the Cardinals challenged and Encarnacion-Strand was called for interference which made it a double play.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I know it was a big call, a big play in the game," Bell said. "I'd rather just talk about the game. Once it goes to replay there's nothing you can do. As far as the letter of the law, I'm trusting that they got it right."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A pair of rookies squared off as mound opponents with the Reds' starter Carson Spiers, making his second start. Left hander Zach Thompson, who is from nearby Selma, Indiana and pitched at the University of Kentucky, started for the Cardinals.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Willson Contreras singled off Spiers with two outs after a walk to Lars Nootbaar and single by Nolan Gorman.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Cardinals put the first two batters on against Spier in the second inning but a double play turned by Elly De La Cruz and Alejo Lopez preceded an inning ending diving stop by Lopez to keep St. Louis from scoring again/.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lopez was here as an emergency call up because Stuart Fairchild was placed on the Covid Injured List this morning. As fate would have it, Noelvi Marte was injured playing catch with De La Cruz and suffered a facial contusion. It was after the lineups were exchanged and the Reds lost Marte for the game, even if he could play. Lopez replaced him in the lineup with Spencer Steer moving to third.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds took the lead in the bottom of the inning. Nick Senzel singled off Thompson to open the inning. One out later, Tyler Stephenson doubled to the gap in right center to score Senzel. Lopez in his first big league at bat hit a run scoring double down the right field line. Former Cardinal Harrison Bader delivered Lopez with a single.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Spiers walked Nolan Arenado with two outs. Contreras followed by lining his 18th home run to center, his second home run of the series to tie the score.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Nootbaar hit an RBI double over left fielder, Senzel's head to score Masyn Winn in the fourth. The Reds brought Sam Moll into the game after a lead off single by Tommy Edman, who was forced a second on a diving stop by Lopez again. The Cardinals left the bases loaded when Arenado popped out to De La Cruz at short. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Home Plate umpire, Brennan Miller, ejected both David Bell and Lopez for arguing strike calls in the scoreless bottom of the fourth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-35463779054492332632023-09-06T21:34:00.001-04:002023-09-06T22:20:08.227-04:00Mariners Shrink GABP With Three Home Runs To Avoid A Sweep<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Mike Ford, J.P. Crawford and Cal Raleigh hit home runs off Lyon Richardson to power the Seattle Mariners to a 8-4 win over the Reds to salvage the final game of the three-game series. The long blasts made GABP look smaller than it really is.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds were trying to sweep the Mariners. Had they been successful they would have swept each of the top four teams in the American League West. As it ended the Reds finished 13-2 against perhaps the toughest division in the AL.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Reds jumped on Logan Gilbert in the first inning. TJ Friedl tripled down the line and Spencer Steer's high bouncing ball got over the head of Seattle shortstop Crawford's head for a run scoring single.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Richardson pitched a scoreless first inning but he walked Ty France on a 3-2 pitch in front of Mike Ford's 16th home run to hand the Mariners the lead.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Mariners broke the game open in the fourth inning against Richardson. Former Red Eugenio Suarez got his first hit of the series with a line single to left. Suarez scored from first on a double into the left field corner by France. Josh Rojas walked and scored on Crawford's 15th home run. One out later Raleigh lined his 26th home run into the first row of the right field stands to put the Mariners up 7-2. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was Richardson's fourth big league start. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits. He walked four which didn't help and struck out three. It was the three home runs that changed the game in the Mariners favor.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Lyon had good stuff," David Bell said. "He got off to a good start. He had a good fastball and a good change up. Give them a lot of credit, the home runs came on fastballs that got a little too much of the plate. But it is still very early in his process. That is a very good team over there. It will give him something to learn from and build on."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I think I just misplaced a couple fastballs," said Richardson after pitching well in two Reds' wins. "I don't think it was anything major. I just missed a couple pitches. If I throw fastballs where they need to be thrown and minimize my misses and I think things will be better."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The rookie, who gave up two home runs on his first two pitches in his first career start against Washington, battled through to the fifth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Will Benson hit his second double of the game and scored on a sacrifice fly from Friedl in the fifth inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds got one run off Gilbert in the sixth. Elly De La Cruz walked and stole second. He scored on a single by Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Stephenson and Noelvi Marte singled to load the bases but reliever Matt Brash struck out Benson and retired Jake Fraley on a ground out to end the inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Daniel Duarte surrendered a run in the seventh. Raleigh singled and Teoscar Hernandez, who extended his hitting streak to 15 games in the first inning, walked. Duarte got Dominic Canzone and Suarez out but France hit his second single of the game to restore the five-run lead.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Benson hit his ninth home run, a solo shot, off Andres Munoz in ninth to provide the final score. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-73155246123099265932023-09-05T18:44:00.071-04:002023-09-05T23:28:55.542-04:00Encarnacion Strand Sends Elly De La Cruz Home To Beat Seattle.<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Christian Encarnacion-Strand singled home Elly De La Cruz to send the Reds to a walk off 7-6 win over the Seattle Mariners.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">With the nerve of a river boat gambler De La Cruz swung at a 3-0 pitch from the American League Relief Pitcher for the month of August, Andres Munoz. De La Cruz hit a slow ground ball to shortstop. J.P. Crawford fielded the ball moving toward the hole but had no chance to get the Reds' rookie. Encarnacion-Strand took to pitches for strikes as De La Cruz stole second. CES hit a hard ground ball past second baseman, Josh Rojas, who had to hold De La Cruz from taking a big lead.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>"I already knew, De La Cruz said through an interpreter. "Those guys are going to try to throw me out but they don't have a chance. </span><span>It doesn't matter. If they get me out 20 million times, I'm still going to be aggressive. I just know that I'm going to be better."</span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Julio Rodriguez third career multi-home run gam</span><span>e, including a big three-run home run put the Mariners in charge, driving in four runs.</span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds were frustrated by two runners thrown out stealing and two double plays that let Mariners' starter, Bryce Miller, survive five innings to attempt to earn his ninth win of the season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The frustrated Reds broke through in the bottom of the eighth when Nick Martini belted a pinch hit home run into the right field seats with two runners on to tie the game.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"I wish there was a secret sauce," Martini said. "Pinch hitting is tough. I can't say it's the easiest thing to do. You just try to put a good at bat together and try to get the barrel on the ball. That's basically all I'm trying to do when I pinch hit. Fortunately, that one had enough on it to get up."</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">David Bell, who has been there and done that as a third generation baseball man, knows that there is injustice at times in the game but the journeyman Martini is making the most of his opportunity.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"He (Nick Martini) has earned this opportunity," Bell said. "Unfortunately, sometimes earn it but don't get the opportunity. It is so nice to see what he's doing with this opportunity and he's playing like he has nothing to lose. That's the idea for all of us. He's fit right in. He's extremely well liked."</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Noelvi Marte reached base for the fourth time in the game with a walk off Justin Topa. Pinch hitter Tyler Stephenson singled through the hole at shortstop to set up Martini's fourth home run of the season and second career pinch hit home run. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run home run off Connor Phillips in the first inning. Phillips retired the first two hitters and had Cal Raleigh behind in the count 0-2 but ended up walking him. Hernandez extended his hitting streak to 14 game with his 25th home run of the season to straight away center field.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Phillips was traded to the Reds by the Mariners in the trade that sent Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker to Seattle. He is the sixth to make a start in their Major League debut.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In spite of allowing five runs in 4 2/3 innings in his debut, Phillips was impressive. Raleigh walked after taking a close two-strike pitch in front of Hernandez' home run.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"We were very happy, very impressed with Connor. He gave up a couple of home runs to some good hitters, hot hitters as well. The pitch to Hernandez was not a bad pitch. That inning could have gone different," Bell said. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Every single person here likes to win. I was attacking guys all night. I felt like I was in the zone," Phillips said. "The three-run home run to Julio. We can work around him and throw him a slider or go right at him. He won. It was electric out there. The fans were sick. I've never experienced anything like that. The adrenaline was running. Having the want to win and the will to win, is something I've never really felt."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds scored just one run when six of seven batters had hits. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the second inning, De La Cruz opened with a single but was thrown out trying to steal. Encarnacion-Strand singled and Will Benson singled but Harrison Bader bounced into a double play.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Noelvi Marte singled to start the third inning but he was thrown out stealing. Luke Maile singled and scored on Jake Fraley's double into the right field corner.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Julio Rodriguez hit a three-run home run following singles by Josh Rojas and J.P. Crawford one out singles. It was the reigning American League Player of the Month's 26th home run of the season and second in the series. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds loaded the bases in the fifth. Marte hustled a infield ground ball into a double leading off. He went to third when Maile grounded out. Fraley and TJ Friedl were hit by pitches but Steer struck out and De La Cruz lined out to left. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Encarnacion-Strand greeted Dominic Leone with his sixth home run of the season, leading off the sixth. Two outs later Marte hit his first career home run against the team that traded him for Luis Castillo. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rodriguez added his 27th home run off Derek Law in the seventh.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-43927165125917591382023-09-04T20:11:00.003-04:002023-09-04T20:12:41.465-04:00Reds Strike Early Bullpen Day Holds Up To Sink Mariners<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Spencer Steer torpedoed the Seattle Mariners with a three-run home run and the Reds Covid depleted pitching staff was buoyed by the bullpen. The Reds held on to win the first game of the series, 6-3.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds improved to 12-1 against American League West teams, sweeping the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels. They took two out of three from the Oakland Athletics.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds jumped on Seattle starter Bryan Woo for two runs in the first inning. TJ Friedl was hit in the foot by Woo with one out. Woo made a great play on a squib ground ball by Spencer Steer. Elly De La Cruz belted an RBI single to right. Nick Martini was hit by a pitch and Hunter Renfroe singled to left to score De La Cruz.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Reliever TeJay Antone got the emergency start prompted by Covid IL stints by three pitchers, retired the six batters he faced, three by strikeouts. It was Antone's first game since August 24, 2021 after he missed two months that season. His last start was on September 12, 2021. He missed all of 2022, and did not pitch at all for the Reds in spring training.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>"I was fun," Antone said. "I wanted to bring more emotion early on in the game. I was trying to fire up the boys. It was an honor to be chosen as a starter. Regardless if it was an opener. David chose me. I went out there and did my job. I wanted the boys to do theirs and they did. </span><span>I was nervous to come back. I'm glad I got to do it in Cincinnati and not anywhere else. It was a special moment honestly."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Steer hit the three-run home run to straight away center field, his 20th of the season. He leads all rookies with 76 RBI.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Woo has a really good fastball and he likes to throw it," Steer said. "For me personally I wasn't going to let that pitch beat me today. I was really trying to stay on that fastball. He kind of throws it from a different slot. It jumps out of his hand pretty good. Just knowing that it is his best pitch and wants to throw it. I was kind of looking for it."</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">Reigning American League player of the month, Julio Rodriguez belted his 25th home run of the season, leading off the fourth against Daniel Duarte.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Michael Mariot, a 34-year old, started 2023 in independent baseball in Cleburne, Texas. He was signed by the Reds to add pitching depth with the Covid and other injuries. He made his 44th and final appearance on October 2, 2016 pitching for the Phillies against the Mets.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"All I was trying to do was eat up some innings and put up zeroes. It wasn't all zeroes, said Mariot, who was close to quitting before the Reds signed him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>"Obviously, you have to love the game of baseball to play this long but the guys in the clubhouse is was does it for me. It is what gets me to keep playing," Mariot said. </span><span>"Going into Indy ball I told my agent if I don't get picked up by this date by either MLB, Mexico or Asia I was going to go to Hawaii with my wife. I made plans but the Reds called and I was able to cancel. I'm glad they did."</span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">Mariot allowed Mike Ford's 15th home run in the fifth which cut the Reds lead to 5-2.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds had runners on second and third with two outs in the fifth and left the bases loaded in the sixth. Former Red Luke Weaver retired pinch hitter Christian Encarnacion-Strand on a ground out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Mariners mounted a threat to Mariot in the seventh after two were out but he walked eight hole hitter Josh Rojas. Cal Raliegh singled as a pinch hitter. David Bell trusted Lucas Sims to get out of the inning. Sims hit J.P Crawford with a two-strike pitch but he struck out Rodriguez to end the inning with the bases loaded. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds extended their lead against Weaver in the bottom of the seventh Renfroe singled down the first base line. Tyler Stephenson doubled inside the third base bag into the corner to score Renfroe. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Mariners put a threat together in the ninth. Ty France led off with a single against Farmer, who got two outs with the next two hitters. Raliegh singled to keep the game alive. Bell went to Ian Gibaut. Crawford singled to make the score 6-3 and bring up Rodriguez again as the tying run. Gibaut struck him out looking to post his second save.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"These are really extra special, so many pitchers contributed, David Bell said. "There has been a lot the last few days. It feels to me like it was an organizational win. There were a lot of hands on deck getting us through this. I can't imagine what the Triple A team is going through, being so short. They are all important but today was meaningful."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It was fun watching him (Michael Mariot). After he came out he had a huge smile. Sometime in the next couple days, I want to sit down with him so he can take me through his whole journey but what a reward at the end. I would imagine it makes it all very worth it."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds will start Connor Phillips against Seattle on Tuesday. Phillips, 22, came to the Reds in the trade for Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-13596411764581672542023-09-03T15:29:00.001-04:002023-09-03T16:18:41.261-04:00Cubs Eighth Inning Rally Defeats Reds To Split The Series Ian Happ Drives In Four Runs<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Nick Madrigal's two-run single with the bases loaded broke a 5-5 tie to send the Chicago Cubs to a 15-7 win to gain a split in the four-game series.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It was a big game today, said Tyler Stephenson, who drove in three runs with a home run and two singles. "We won two and so that's a positive thing. We're past this game and we have so big games coming up. Things didn't go our way today. You never know what to expect when you come to the yard. We had two emotional wins the last two days which were great. You'll take every single one of them. Sadly it didn't go our way today but we still one two and control our own destiny. We just have to go out and play our baseball."</span></p><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Cubs scored seven times in the eighth inning and three times in the ninth to break the game open.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Cubs put the first three batters on base against Derek Law. Dansby Swanson and Seiya Suzuki single. Law hit Jeimer Candelario with a pitch to load the bases. David Bell brought in Alexis Diaz, who gave up Madrigal's single. Diaz throw on Miles Mastrobuoni's sacrifice to reload the bases. Mike Tauchman's third single of the game brought home two more runs. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Cody Bellinger drove in his third run of the game with a sacrifice fly. Swanson added a two-run double </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Carson Spiers an undrafted free agent made his Major League debut against the Cubs. He was greeted with singles by Tauchman, Ian Happ and Bellinger but he struck out Nico Hoerner and Suzuki to complete his first inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Carson Spiers pitched a good game for us," David Bell said. "It started out kind of fast for him. He found his cutter in the third and fourth inning. That's a good pitch for him. He threw strikes. His first outing with a tough start against a good team."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds came back in the bottom of the first inning. The Reds scored two ninth inning runs in each of the last two games but didn't wait on Sunday.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">TJ Friedl cracked his 12th home run of the season with one out. Spencer Steer clubbed his 19th of the year as the Reds went back-to-back against Jameson Taillon.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Cubs retook the lead in the second inning. Nick Madrigal doubled with one out. Miguel Amaya walked. Tauchman tied the game with a ground single to center. Hoerner walked to load the bases for Reds killer Happ. Happ put the Cubs on top with a sacrifice fly to Friedl in left but they threw out Tauchman at third to end the inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Stephenson promptly put the Reds ahead again with his 11th home run following Will Benson's hit by pitch by Taillon.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Bellinger's 23 home run of the season tied the game off Chasen Shreve, leading off the sixth inning. Shreve pitched a scoreless fifth relieving Spiers, who allowed three runs in four innings on five hits and two walks. He struck out seven. Spiers retired his last seven batters in order.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Christian Encarnacion-Strand doubled and Stephenson delivered him with a ground single through the shortstop hole to put the Reds back into the lead. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happ's RBI single tied the game after Hoerner hit a two-out double off Ian Gibaut. Happ out of the University of Cincinnati had three hits and drove in four runs.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Noelvi Marte hit a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth against Keegan Thompson.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Candelario hit his 21st home run off Brett Kennedy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Spiers was needed to make the start because Hunter Greene, Ben Lively, Brandon Williamson and Fernando Cruz are all on the Covid list for seven days.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"I'm just going to take it all in," Spiers said. "Whatever happens, happens. I'm not going to take anything for granted. I'm going to keep working, keep working, keep working. Whether they keep me here for however long Covid lasts. It is out of my control. I'm just going to work my tail off while I'm here."</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tyler Stephenson</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-6510324130363179602023-09-02T18:50:00.004-04:002023-09-03T11:12:33.823-04:00Cincinnati Beats Up On Eastern Kentucky To Warm Up For Big 12 Rookie Season<p> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Cincinnati Bearcats flexed it collective muscle in man handling the FCS Eastern Kentucky Colonels in a 66-13 blowout to open the 2023 season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">New Bearcat quarterback Emory Jones threw for more than 300 yards for the second time in his career with 345. He had played at Arizona State and Florida before landing in the UC backfield.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Four of his tosses were for touchdowns of 49 yards to Xzavier Henderson, 39 yards to Dee Wiggins, one yard to Payton Singletary and 48 yards to Braden Smith.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jones ran for two touchdowns of one and 12 yards.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Korey Kiner rushed for 105 yards,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">EKU QB Parker McKinney found Hunter Brown in the end zone with a 17-yard score to make the score 35-7 heading into halftime.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jones added a fifth touchdown pass for six yards to Aaron Turner to tie a Bearcat record of seven total touchdowns.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Colonels managed 301 yards of offense, 124 rushing. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"They exposed us," Eastern Kentucky coach Walt Wells said. "We have to play better. We have to coach better. Those two things go hand-in-hand. We have a talented team but we have to get lined up on defense. We can't stop them on two plays then let them throw a touchdown pass over us."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Many of Eastern players are from the Cincinnati area. It was a unique experience for them to play in their home town.<br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It will help us to recruit when we decide to recruit in Ohio," Wells said. "We had a lot of former players here for the game. Vincent Munford from Princeton players on UC's Dline and its linebackers. It was fun for them to play in their hometown."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Munford, an offensive lineman played at Princeton. Linebacker Elijah Ford played at Colerain.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The UC Dline had Colerain's Dontay Coreleone, Eric Phillips and linebackers Deshaun Pace and Kenny Willis. Defensive end Malik Van played for Fairfield.</span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-20084025471548728602023-09-01T15:57:00.000-04:002023-09-01T15:57:15.727-04:00Cody Bellinger And Ian Happ Power Cubs To Win<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cody Bellinger drove in three runs to set up the Chicago Cubs for a 6-2 win over the Reds in the makeup game from an April rainout. The game started the crucial four-game series between the playoff contenders. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ian Happ homered and doubled bolster the Cubs.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Bellinger started the scoring with his 21st home run of the season, breaking a scoreless tie with two outs in the fourth inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Reds' starter Graham Ashcraft struck out Ian Happ as Tyler Stephenson threw out Nico Hoerner trying to steal before Bellinger went deep.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds tied the game against Cubs' starter Jordan Hicks, who was pitching on his 24th birthday. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After stranding four baserunners in the first three frames. Nick Senzel hit a one-out single. Stephenson walked and rookie Noelvi Marte singled up the middle to score Senzel with the tying run.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Cubs opened the sixth inning with a single by Hoerner and double by Happ, who extended his on base streak to 16 games and his hitting streak to nine games. Lucas Sims relieved Ashcraft. Bellinger greeted Sims with a two-run ground single to right. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Seiya Suzuki hit his 14th home run of the season. The hit off Duarte extended the Cubs' lead to 4-1.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happ hit a two-run ninth inning home run, his 17th of the season to put the game away. The blow came off Derek Law, who finished the game for the Reds.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Will Benson singled home Marte in the bottom of the ninth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-25594508022045278402023-08-20T16:22:00.002-04:002023-08-20T17:23:15.093-04:00Blue Jays Turn Hunter Greene Blue With Five Home Runs<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Toronto Blue Jays turned Hunter Greene blue with a club record five home runs to win the series on a 10-3 rout.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Greene returned from the 60-day injured list to start the rubber game of the three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">His start was rocky. Bo Bichette tripled past the leaping attempt of a catch at the wall by TJ Friedl. Bichette scored on an error on a ground ball by Brandon Belt.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hyun Jin-Ryu started for Toronto. He is also recovering from injury making his fourth start since returning. He retired the Reds in order in the first.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Blue Jays went after Greene in the second inning. Danny Jansen doubled down the third base line with one out. Kevin Kiermaier put his sixth home run of the year into the Blue Jays bullpen in right field. Whit Merrifield doubled and after Bichette struck out Belt hit his 12th home run off the top of the right field wall. Stuart Fairchild appeared to be shaken up on the play. He was removed from the game under concussion protocol.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Spencer Steer hit an infield single to open the Reds second. Christian Encarnacion-Strand singled Steer to third. In his first big league at bat flied out to shallow left. Steer bluffed going home. Matt Chapman cutoff the throw. Encarnacion-Strand took off for second. Chapman threw the ball wide of second baseman Whit Merrifield that split the outfielders all the way to the wall in center as both runners scored.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Blue Jays bludgeoned Greene in the fourth. Bichette hit his 18th. Belt blasted his second of the game and 13th of the season that reached the left field seats. It was his 10th career two-home run game and second of the year. Vladimir Guerrero walked and George Springer hit his 15h of the season. When Varsho walked, Greene was removed in favor of Buck Farmer. He completed the inning with no further damage.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The five home runs Greene allowed tied the Reds record for the 12th time. Greene gave up five home runs to the Milwaukee Brewers on May 5 last season. He pitched three plus innings and was charged with eight earned runs on 10 hits and three walks. He finished with four strikeouts.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It was frustrating. It is not what I envisioned for my first game back," Greene said. "I feel good but it was really frustrating.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>"</span><span>I think we need a little bit of time to let it (Greene's game) sink in and maybe take a closer look, watch the video," David Bell said. "From where I was I thought his stuff was good. He had a really good fastball, slider, he tried to use his change up a little. They were seeing him really good. They were on everything. Clearly it was not a good day. Overall, he seamed healthy, the injury concerns and if everything else checks out he got the first one under his belt. He should be fine."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Guerrero Jr. injured his left middle finger on a bad swing in the fourth inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ryu allowed two unearned runs on four hits in five innings. He walked four and struck out five.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tyler Stephenson hit his ninth home run batting for Luke Maile in the seventh. The home run off Bowden Francis was his second pinch hit home run of the season. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds committed four errors in the game. MaLain and Marte made one. Elly De La Cruz made two errors. The Blue Jays were charged with two errors.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jansen singled home Varsho, who hit a double off Alex Young to close out the Blue Jays' scoring. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Francis earned his first career save. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Marte doubled in the ninth inning for his first Major League hit.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Fairchild will miss at least seven days with a concussion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Stuart (Fairchild) does have a concussion," Bell said. "He led off the next inning. I asked him. The trainers asked him if he was ok at that point. There was not enough time to get to the bottom of it. He went back out and had some more plays, chasing down. The combination of things brought out the symptoms a little bit after the fact. The good thing is we got him out of there to take care of him, hopefully, we'll get him back after that."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Maile was taken out of the game after he was hit flush in the mask.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It was the same thing. It looks like he does not have concussion but had a bit of a headache," Bell said.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-68370592170400794282023-08-19T21:22:00.002-04:002023-08-19T22:36:47.053-04:00Davis Schneider Home Run Evens Series With Between Blue Jays And Reds<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rookie Davis Schneider, who homered in his first Major League at bat on August 4, broke a 3-3 tie to stake the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-3 win to even the series.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds shutout the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Brandon Williamson extended the scoreless streak to 12 2/3 innings but Toronto used four singles and a walk with two outs to jump ahead, 3-0.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Blue Jays loaded with legacies the sons of former Major League players ambushed Williamson with two outs. Cavan Biggio (father Craig Biggio) singled with two outs. Williamson got ahead of Santiago Espinal, a .218 hitter with two home runs, but walked him. Daulton Varsho (father Gary Varsho) singled to start the scoring. Whit Merrifield singled home Espinal. Bo Bichette (father Dante Bichette) singled plate Varsho. Williamson got Vladimir Guerrero (father Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and uncle Wilton Guerrero) grounded out to end the inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The lead lasted just three batters into the fourth inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After Chris Bassitt struck out five of the first nine batters that he retired in a row, TJ Friedl put his 11th home run into the right field seats. Matt McLain walked. Electric Elly De La Cruz turned on the crowd. He lined a 1-2 pitch on a line over the head of Biggio in right. The ball hit the base of the fence and bounded away from the right fielder. McLain raced home and De La Cruz turned on the after burners and rounded third. Biggio's throw trickled past the cutoff man and De La Cruz headed home, safe with a dive ahead of the throw.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"I was running hard to third base and once I saw that ball was in the middle of nowhere," De La Cruz said, through an interpreter. "I knew I had to run hard to get to home plate. I was looking to see if they were sending McLain home. When I saw that, I knew I had to go. Once I got to third base I knew I was going to be safe. Then I saw the ball get past Vlady Jr. and between the third baseman and the pitcher. So I knew I had to move quickly and take the chance."</span></p><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Schneider hit his third home run in the fifth to put Toronto back in front.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Williamson got two outs in the top of the sixth. David Bell summoned Fernando Cruz to get the final out of the inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds put two men on with one out against Trevor Richards in the seventh. Christian Encarnacion-Strand singled and Tyler Stephenson followed with another single. Toronto manager John Schneider chose Tim Mayza to face left handed hitting Will Benson. David Bell countered with switch hitter Henry Ramos, who hit a grounder to short but beat the relay to first base. Stuart Fairchild walked to load the bases. Friedl struck out swinging to end the threat.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Alex Young retired the Jays in order in the seventh.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Former Cardinal, Jordan Hicks entered in the bottom of the eighth. It was Hicks that gave up the game winning home run to Encarnacion-Strand in the Reds' 1-0 win on Friday.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hicks held the lead into the ninth with two strike outs in a 1-2-3 inning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Derek Law walked two batters but struck out three to send the game to the bottom of the ninth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jordan Romano with 29 saves in 32 chances came in to nail it down for Toronto. Joey Votto walked to open the ninth. Noelvi Marte made his big league debut as a pinch runner. Encarnacion-Strand singled to right. After Stephenson flied out to right, Marte and Encarnacion-Strand pulled a double steal. Ramos stepped into the batter's box. He struck out on three pitches. Fairchild grounded out weakly to third to end the game.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It was a great play. We prepare before each series with all the information," David Bell said. "A lot of times we just give them the information and turn them loose to play the game and understand the situations. To get to be able to get to third base with less than two outs there are so many more ways to score a run. If he gets thrown out at third base you look at it like a tough play. At the same time, there is so much gain right there. In his first time ever in the big leagues, being the tying run, to have the courage to make a play like that is special. It is the sign of things to come."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Marte has jumped three levels this year since joining the Reds organization through the trade of Luis Castillo last July 29.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Kevin Newman strained his left oblique and the Reds chose to bring Marte to the big club, leaving Nick Senzel at Louisville.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"For me, I saw the opportunity to go. I saw how the pitcher was moving his leg. I knew I had the opp ortunity to get there," said Marte through an interpreter. "Before the game we went over the pitcher and what their movements were. I knew I had the chance to do something right there."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102232283960338031.post-60147444953712921202023-08-16T21:28:00.002-04:002023-08-16T22:43:01.044-04:00Matt McLain Powers The Reds Over Cleveland In Ohio Cup Matchup<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s1600/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1253" height="320" p="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTJ1tmpCZ89TSItTyB7SJAcoZt9MUTPkx_sF9rLitIKY2K6uw_7CLa3lpbSgHsJL-ocmkc3eaURvd72fNiqZ3CznYddKdUeQDjLM5xeX7-qnSQ0HW92bNo7-J5gSFjgTxkLBBRx4ko7M/s320/SCHATZHEAD.jpg" width="296" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Matt McLain drove in three runs with a home run and a double to propel the Reds to a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It is fun when you contribute like that to a win," McLain said. "It was just good to get back on track and back to my approach. That is all I'm trying to do. For it to show up today was a good feeling for me."<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The win evened the Ohio Cup competition at one game apiece.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">TJ Friedl had three hits, scored three runs and saved two. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds opened the game against Noah Syndergaard with two hits that put them up to a quick lead. TJ Friedl hit a ground single up the middle for a single. Matt McLain lined a double to the left centerfield gap to score the speedy Friedl.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Andrew Abbott started for the Reds and allowed a hit in the first inning but struck out two. Brayan Rocchio opened the second inning with a single but with one out, Gabriel Arias hit a line drive that MaLain leaped to catch his throw to catch Rocchio but it was wide and hit off the dugout railing. Rocchio went to second on an apparent throwing error but the Reds appealed that he left early. First base umpire Jim Wolf signaled safe but the Reds got the call overturned when replays revealed that the runner past first base getting back and did not retouch on the way to second. It turned into a double play.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Guardians tied the game in the third but Friedl made a play to prevent more damage. Myles Straw singled to start the inning. He advanced on a fly out to Friedl in deep center. Steven Kwan lined to left. Jose Ramirez tied the game with a solid single. Ramon Laureano hit a fly to deep center field. Friedl timed his leap and with his wrist above the 8'4" wall made the inning ending catch to keep the game tied.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"We practiced that today," Friedl revealed. "We literally lined up in shallow right field and set up the machine. While the pitchers and infielders were doing PFP we were working on robbing home runs. When I'm coming off the field I look at him (Collin Cowgill). When I'm running off the field he was ecstatic. I said that' because we worked on that today. Like what are the chances? Like once in a career. Like not very many chances."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds have been struggling lately but at least for one game, they showed why the were the talk of the league leading into the All-Star break.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"I think a lot of different facets of the game," said Friedl, who had three singles, including a drag bunt hit. "Guys making plays in the infield things that we've done all season, getting on base, getting bunt down on a lefty. Those plays don't come very often."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds took the lead in the bottom of the fourth Christian Encarnacion-Strand lined a single up the middle. Stuart Fairchild hit his fifth home run of the season into the leftfield stands. With two outs Friedl hit his second single of the game and stole second. McLain lined his 13th home run into the stands in left to put the Reds ahead 5-4.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Arias opened the fifth against Abbott with his seventh home run of the season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Reds loaded the bases against Syndergaard in the fifth with one out. Joey Votto singled, Encarnacion-Strand walked and Fairchild singled. Cleveland manager Terry Francona matched up left handed pitcher against Will Benson. Benson pulled a one-hop ground ball to Arias at first base. Arias stepped on first removing the force and threw home to get the slow footed Votto but catcher Bo Naylor dropped the ball and Votto scored.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Naylor was a replacement for Cam Gallagher, who took a hard foul ball off his mask. Gallagher is being checked for a concussion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Fernando Cruz relieved Abbott to start the sixth. Abbott pitched five innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out seven and issued no walks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Guardians had four miscues to aid the Reds' cause. Friedl hit a drag-bunt single for his third hit. Norris was shaken up on the play but stayed in. McLain flew out and Elly De La Cruz struck out but Spencer Steer reached on an error by Ramirez at third. Votto singled past the shortstop to drive Friedl home. The throw got away from Naylor for another Guardian error charged to Straw. Encarnacion-Strand walked to load the bases but Eli Morgan retired Fairchild on a fly to center.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Fernando Cruz, Sam Moll, Derek Law and newcomer Alan Busenitz finished the game with four scoreless innings. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Tonight was an opportunity that he (Abbott 8-3) could have gone six or seven innings. A lot that goes into the decision. The health and availability of our bullpen," David Bell said. "The individual pitcher and where they are in their season. Tonight it wasn't for a lack of thinking that Andrew could go back for another inning but you also look that if we do that he might have to work in 100, 105 pitches just to get out of the inning. We did have a rested bullpen and an off day tomorrow."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The catch played into Abbott's ability to make it through five innings.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"I think it was safe to say that me and Luke (Maile) both thought it was going to be a homer. Then is wasn't," Abbott said. "In the moment I think I threw my hands up and said oh my God. That's still my reaction. I might not have in the game as long. It would have been a different ballgame if he didn't make that catch."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Gary Schatzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13049402340815744707noreply@blogger.com0