Nick Lodolo Shuts Down Marlins Austin Hays Fried The Fish

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds claimed a split in the four-game series with the Miami Marlins with a 6-0 win.

The Reds improve to 48-46 on the season but drop the season series to Miami four games to three.

"I thought it was really, really important," Terry Francona. "We got up four games and gave it back. Now we need to really push then take a well deserved (All-Star) break."

The Reds scored two runs on Tuesday to snap a steak in which they scored just one run for three games. The Reds improved the offense to end the series with 13 runs in two games.

"When you're getting some hits and have base runners it looks crisp," Francona said. "We run the bases aggressively."

Austin Hays drove in three runs with two singles.

The Reds scored early against Marlin's starter Cal Quantrill. Elly De La Cruz singled with two outs, his 100th hit of the season. He stole second and scored on a single by Austin Hays.

Spencer Steer hit his 11th home run in the second inning to make it 2-0.

While Nick Lodolo was shutting out Miami through six innings on three hits, the Reds rallied big time in the bottom of the sixth.

Noelvi Marte singled to open the inning with a single. TJ Friedl's single sent Marte to third with no outs. Matt McLain walked to load the bases. De La Cruz singled in one run. Friedl scored when Dane Myers throw from right field was off the glove of Quantrill, who was inexplicably in the way of catcher Nick Fortes. The runners moved to second and third. Both scored on Hays single to left.

Lodolo pitched six innings of scoreless baseball on three hits and zero walks. He struck out four. The left hander lowered his ERA from 3.58 to 3.38.

"I thought my change up was a good as it gets. I was able to spin the ball and elevate it," Lodolo said. "I got behind in some counts but I was able to get back into them."

Graham Ashcraft relieved in the seventh.

The Marlins loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a single. Pinch hitter Liam Hicks hit into a 6-3 double play.

Tony Santillan walked a batter in a scoreless inning.

All-Star Andrew Abbott Hooks Marlins For His Eighth Win

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Andrew Abbott found out he was an All-Star pitcher on Tuesday night. On Wednesday he proved his worthiness with a strong outing in the Reds 7-2 win over the Miami Marlins.

The win broke the Reds four-game losing streak put them back over .500 at 47-46. The Marlins dropped their first road game after 11 straight road wins.

The Reds struck first against Miami starter, former Cy Young winner, Sandy Alcantara. Matt McLain drew a one-out walk. Elly De La Cruz smoked one over the head of Heriberto Hernandez in left for an RBI double. Austin Hays singled to score De La Cruz. Gavin Lux singled and Tyler Stephenson drove Hays home with the third run.

All-Star starting pitcher Andrew Abbott kept the Marlins with a zero in the run column for seven innings, retiring 11 in a row between a fourth inning single by Otto Lopez in the fourth and a walk to Connor Nory in the seventh. 

The Marlins had at least one runner on in the first four innings but double play extricated Abbott from a first and second, no-out jam in the third inning.

"He started pitching inside with the cutter," Terry Francona said. "Once he did that it really opened up the plate. Then he could spin it and he locates his pitches so well."

The Reds added three more runs in the fourth inning. Stephenson walked and was forced at second by Will Benson. Noelvi Marte followed with his fourth home run of the season off the facade of the second deck in left field. TJ Friedl singled and scored on De La Cruz' second double of the game. 

Abbott cruised into the eighth inning. Nick Fortes hit a soft ground ball off the end of the bat which eluded Spencer Steer who was guarding the hole. Fortes went to second on a ground ball to McLain at second. Abbott fanned Augustin Ramirez but Herndandez broke the shutout with a ground single up the middle.

Tony Santillan ended the inning with a force play.

Abbott pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks. He struck out five. He started the inning with a 1.99 ERA but ended with a 2.07 ERA dropping from an already stellar 2.15.

"The difference this year is less walks and less homers," Abbott said. "I would love to pitch in the All-Star game (now that he's made the team)."

It was the 13th time in his 16 starts in which he allowed one run or fewer in a game. It was his sixth quality start of the seven. His seven plus innings stint makes him two innings short of qualifying for the ERA title. A pitcher needs at least one inning per scheduled games. The Reds played it's 93 game. Abbott has 91 innings.

"We shifted the game plan to pitch them inside. We looked at their at bats and they were leaning out over the plate," Abbott said. "I went inside and they looked uncomfortable."

"I didn't do a curtain call. I'm a modest guy. I wouldn't do anything like that and probably never will."

Benson hit his eighth home run to get the run back in the bottom of the eighth.

Emilio Pagan pitched the ninth with a six run lead because he needed an inning after not being used since July 4. He got two quick outs before Pagan in no mood to walk anyone, allowed Norby's sixth home run of the season.

Marlins Pound Martinez To Win 11th Straight Road Games

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Miami Marlins are going nowhere in the National League East but they won their 11th consecutive game on the road in a 12-1 pounding of the Reds.

The Marlins record on the season improved to 42-48 as the Reds' fourth straight loss dropped them back to the .500 mark at 46-46. There are 70 games to go.

"It is a remarkable stretch. Winning on the road is very difficult. It comes back to the way that we pitched and our offense, to come up with some big hits. No matter where we are we have the confidence to play our brand of baseball," Clayton McCullough

In each of the four straight losses the Reds' managed just one earned run. They scored in the ninth but it took a passed ball on strike three to Will Benson and Connor Norby's error with the bases loaded on Noelvi Marte's ground ball.

Matt McLain hit his 10th home run of the season off Marlin's starter, Eury Perez in the first inning.

Reds' starter Nick Martinez retired the first six Marlin batters but the next seven reached base. Liam Hicks walked. Heriberto Hernandez, Dane Myers singled. Xavier Hernandez doubled off the right field wall, Jesus Hernandez singled. Augustin Ramirez doubled on a high hop over Noelvi Marte's head. Kyle Stowers and Norby drove in runs with fly outs to right field. The Marlins collected seven runs before Hicks grounded out to end the inning. 

In the inning, the Marlins batters were 6-for-7 in the inning. 

"Walking the first batter wasn't good," Martinez said. "They had some ground balls that found holes. Edwards put a good swing on a change up, then more ground balls found holes. That's the way baseball is sometimes."

The Marlins chased Martinez in the sixth inning. Walks were the culprit. Stowers walked to start the inning. Norby singled and Martinez walked Hicks to load the bases. Scott Barlow came in and walked in a run with a free pass to Hernandez. The Marlins scored again when Dane Myers hit into a double play but Edwards singled to drive in Hicks.

"When he was in the delivery, good. When he was in the stretch, things happened in a hurry. I don't know the significance of that or whether he just didn't make pitches," Terry Francona said.

Martinez pitched five plus innings allowing 10 runs on seven hits and three costly walks. He struck out two.

Eury Perez for the Marlins, recovering from "Tommy John" surgery that cost him the 2024 season. He returned on June 9. He evened his record at 2-2.

Richardson did not allow a hit but walked two after Norby reached on McLain's error. Jose Trevino brought his knuckleball to the mound to save a bullpen arm for another day. Myers hit a sacrifice fly and Sanchez singled but Trevino limited the Marlins to one run.

Trevino gave up three hits in the ninth and one run.

Double A Is An All-Star

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Andrew Abbott was named to the National League All-Star team replacing YoshinobuYomamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Abbott will join Elly De La Cruz on the team. 

Yamamoto didn't make it out of the first inning on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers, giving up five runs in 2/3 innings. He is 8-7 on the season with a with a 2.77 ERA in 97 1/3 innings. In his last seven starts, since June 1, he is 2-4 with a 4.32 ERA.

Abbott is 7-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 83 2/3 innings. During the same period from June 1, Abbott 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA.

Abbott had a rough outing on Friday, giving up four runs in 3 1/3 innings. The pitching line lifted his ERA from 1.79 to 2.15. If Abbott had enough innings to qualify fot the ERA title he would be fifth in baseball just ahead of Zack Wheeler's 2.19. Among the pitchers named to both squads, just Hunter Brown, Tarik Skubal and Jacob DeGrom have a lower ERA. Nine All-Start pitchers have a higher ERA.

The most important stat, the Reds are 11-4 in his 15 starts.

"We found out when McLain was hitting the home run. It was wonderful to tell the team," Terry Francona said. "Good for him, he deserves it."

Abbott's parents were in the house and he text them when he heard.

"It means the world. You grow up wanting to be an MLB baseball player. To get the recognition of  being an All-Star, I can't put it into words. I'm excited about representing my family, my teammates and Cincinnati," Abbott said.

Francona told him while Matt McLain was hitting the home run.

"We were sitting in the dugout just watching the game, talking to the other pitchers. Tito got us into a circle. We thought we were going to get yelled at. He was in his yelling but not yelling voice," Abbott said. "I'll tell you guys one thing with some choice language, Andrew Abbott's an All-Star. It just erupted. I got showered with ice, bubble gum, anything they could get their hands on. It was like being called up to the big leagues for the first time."

Reds Slump In Third Straight Loss Defense Lets Game Get Out Of Hand

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds lost for the third straight game in a 5-1 defeat at the fins of the Miami Marlins. They were held to one run in each of the losses.

It appeared that they would be held to one hit on the night as they were on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies and Zack Wheeler but Noelvi Marte and Elly De La Cruz singled in the ninth inning. 

Spencer Steer opened the fifth inning with a single but a fly out and double play were the beginning of 11 straight Reds' batters retired.

Marlins' starter Janson Junk pitched four hitless innings toe start the game but the Reds scored without a hit in the second inning to take the early lead. Junk in his fourth start and ninth appearance walked just two batters in 37 1/3 innings coming into the game.

Austin Hays drew the third walk Junk issued and advanced to second on a passed ball charged to catcher Agustin Ramirez. Hays moved to third on a wild pitch as Gavin Lux walked with no outs. Tyler Stephenson hit a sacrifice fly to right field. 

Brady Singer allowed his fifth hit of the game with one out in the fifth inning. Xavier Edwards' second hit of the game was a double down the right field line. With two outs, Ramirez doubled to right center to tie the score. Liam Hicks singled to right. Will Benson's throw made the play on Ramirez close enough to challenge but the safe call stood.

Singer pitched five innings, allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk. He struck out three.

Lyon Richardson started the sixth inning. Eric Wagaman singled. He advanced to third on a short ground ball to thirdbaseman Noelvi Marte. Derek Hill hit a ground ball to Marte, who tried to cut off the run at home but threw it over the head of catcher Stephenson. Richardson backed up the play but missed Matt McLain trying to get Hill at second, who advanced to third. Hill scored on a sacrifice fly to Benson in right and the Marlins had a three-run lead.

"I went back and looked at it," Reds' manager Terry Francona said. "The runner (Wagaman) did a good job of getting in the lane. Marte just got under it (the throw) and it sailed. Richardson did a good job of backing it up but he didn't have time to move his feet and rushed it."

Brent Suter surrendered Ramirez' 14th home run of the season in the seventh to extend Miami's lead to 5-1. 

Junk left the game after six innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit. He walked two and struck out three.

Elly De La Cruz An All-Star Andrew Abbott And TJ Friedl Close

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Elly De La Cruz made the National League All-Star squad for the 95th Midsummer Classic in Atlanta on July 15.

He was picked for the second year in a row.

His teammates TJ Friedl and Andrew Abbott are on the outside looking in. 

Friedl is slashing .280/.368/.409 with 14 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 31 RBI. He has been on base 138 times from the leadoff spot in the batting order only Shohei Ohtani has more with 156. Friedl scored 50 runs and stolen nine bases.

Abbott had a rough outing on Friday, giving up four runs in 3 1/3 innings. The pitching line lifted his ERA from 1.79 to 2.15. If Abbott had enough innings to qualify fot the ERA title he would be fifth in baseball just ahead of Zack Wheeler's 2.19. Among the pitchers named to both squads, just Hunter Brown, Tarik Skubal and Jacob DeGrom have a lower ERA. Nine All-Start pitchers have a higher ERA.

De La Cruz was chosen as reserve with the New York Mets, Francisco Lindor as the starter.

Lindor slashes .260/.333/.452.

De La Cruz slashes .277/.349/.487.

De La Cruz has more doubles triples two to zero; more home runs 18-17; more RBI 60-49 and more stolen bases 22-14.

Reds' manager, Terry Francona, assembled the team Sunday in Philadelphia to announce that De La Cruz made the NL squad.

"I tried to strike a balance," Francona said. "It's a huge honor for Elly and we want him to feel that way. You want to let the ballclub show their appreciation and their excitement for him. At the same time you want to make sure that guys like Friedl and Abbott, not to have a downer meeting, but to say, hey we really respect what you guys are doing. It morphed into, hey, we're a team. That's what we ultimetley care about."

Francona addressed the system of selection. "As long as you know what the process is and it's been changing. So it's not necessarily the best players. Every team must be represented and that's not a bad thing. As long as you know going in there's going to be some guys left out. That's just the way it is."

Carson Spiers and Hunter Greene are rehabbing in Louisville. Spiers will pitch four innings on Tuesday as the pitch count allows. Greene will take another MRI.

"Out of an abudance of caution, we want to see another MRI before we send him out there," Francona said. 

The Reds Remove Connor Joe From The Injured List Rece Hinds Returns To Louisville

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds activated IF/OF Connor Joe (hand, foot, & mouth disease) from the 10-day IL; optioned OF Rece Hinds to AAA-Louisville.

Hinds played in seven games. He has two singles in 23 at bats. 

Joe played in 22 games before going to the injured list. He is slashing .245/.304/.327 with four doubles and four RBI,

 

 

The Reds Honored the 1975 With 50 Year Celebration Then Return To Boston

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

On Saturday June 28, the Reds celebrated the 50 year anniversary of the team that defeated the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, thought by many to be the most exciting World Series in history.

The resurgent Reds, ironically visit the sight of the victory at historic Fenway Park on Monday June 30. The Reds are 44-40. The Red Sox are 41-44.

The Reds were 49-28 on this date in 1975 when Clay Kirby pitched and won over Joe Niekro and the Houston Astros in a walk off, 9-6 win. Bill Plummer tied the game in the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly that scored Dan Driessen to tie the game at 6-6. With two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning. Ken Griffey doubled. The Astros walked Joe Morgan intentionally in front of Johnny Bench, who hit a three-run home run off Niekro to win it.

The Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles on this date, 5-2 to improve its American League East leading record to 41-31. With Dick Pole, who was the Reds' pitching coach from 2007 through 2009, the winning pitcher. Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski was 3-for-4 with two RBI and Fred Lynn was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Fifty years ago people were watching Frank Burns, a character on MASH. On June 30th, they could watch Chase Burns, take the mound against the Red Sox. Burns debuted against the New York Yankees a week before.

He pitched five innings against the Yankees, allowing three runs on six hits in five innings. He struck out eight, including the first five batters and seven of the first nine batters.

Reds Take The Series From The Padres With A Ninth Inning Rally

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Will Benson's third hit of the game sent home Gavin Lux with the winning run in a walk off, 3-2 win over Wild Card rival, the San Diego Padres.

The Reds win the series 2-1 won and were 4-2 on the home stand. The Reds are once again at their high water mark four games over .500 at 44-40.

"Benson got us the win today. The plane ride (to Boston) will be a lot more fun," Terry Francona said. "Elly took such a nice swing. The ball down the line (foul) hooked but it was a great at bat. They've got some weapons."

Benson has played through struggles before and was grateful for the opportunity.

"I know he (Robert Suarez) throws hard. I was a little upset that I didn't take a pass at that first change up," Benson admitted . That might have been the best pitch (to hit) in the at bat. I just shook it off and maintained my aggression. I took some good fastballs that he threw and then another change up. I was able to capitalize on that one."

Francona's philosophy is to move forward whether the past results were good or bad. "You guys are probably tired of hearing me say that."

Benson insists that thought process is starting to sink in with the players.

"I believe so, that every one is buying in to that," Benson said. "That messaging for us is huge coming from him. I think we've been able to embody that as a team. I'm happy with how we respond."

Today Benson took that messaging to the pitch-to-pitch level. 

"That is something, I'm trying to get better at," Benson said. "Especially when it gets to two strikes. Just being able to take a deep breath and go one pitch at a time. That's what we yell a lot in the dugout. Just win the next one. All it takes is one pitch. All you need is to win one and something can happen."

The Padres struck first in the fourth inning. Xander Bogaerts led off with his fifth home run of the season. Gavin Sheets singled to right and went to second on Will Benson's throwing error. Jose Iglesias bunted right back Nick Lodolo who threw Sheets out at third. Lodolo struck out Jake Cronenworth and Elias Diaz to escape the inning.

Stephen Kolek, the San Diego starter allowed a single and a walk to Spencer Steer in the first five innings.

Sheets and Iglesias started the sixth inning with singles. Cronenworth bunted them along one base. Reds' manager Terry Francona replaced Lodolo with Scott Barlow to face Elias Diaz with runners at second and third with one out. Diaz popped out to short right. Luis Arraez walked to load the bases with two outs. Manny Machado, who hit 12 grand slams in his career, popped out foul to the catcher Jose Trevino.

Lodolo pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and two walks. He allowed one run, which dropped his season ERA to 3.52, and struck out five.

The Reds tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Benson singled to start the inning. Matt McLain beat out an infield hit. Elly De La Cruz off Adrian Morejon and hit a ground ball past third baseman, Iglesias, for a run scoring single. 

Lyon Richardson relieved Barlow to start the seventh inning. Jackson Merrill popped out to third. Fernando Tatis Jr. walked. Bogaerts hit a hard ground ball past CES at third base for his third extra base hit of the game, a double. Francona ordered Sheets intentionally, then brought in Tony Santillan. Iglesias forced Sheets at second as Tatis scored. Cronenworth flied out to center field to end the inning.

Benson greeted Jason Adam with a double to start the eighth. CES flied out to the warning track in center field, advancing Benson to third. Friedl grounded out to Arraez at first with the infield in. McLain struck out to end the inning. 

"That kid Adam is as good against lefties as you'll find in the league," Francona said. 

Emilio Pagan held the Padres to give the Reds a chance in the ninth. 

Robert Suarez who leads the league with 22 saves faced De La Cruz to start the ninth, reaching on an error by third baseman, Tyler Wade (The scorer changed it to a single after the game). It was the climax of  a 10-pitch at bat. Austin Hays flied out to left. Gavin Lux walked to put De La Cruz in scoring position. Steer, who extended his hitting streak to eight games, Steer drove in De La Cruz with a single to center to tie the game. Jose Trevino singled to right to load the bases with one out and Benson due up. Benson singled to give the Reds the win.

"There were a lot of good things that happened," Francona said. "We kind of bent a little bit but we didn't break and kept it where it was. So we had a chance. So often we think we just need to get the tying run to the plate to give ourselves a chance. It doesn't always work out but you have a chance."

Emilio Pagan, the winning pitcher, last pitched six  days ago against the New York Yankees. Tony Santillan last pitched on Tuesday.

"It was hard. We were trying to balance it Francona explained. "Pagan and Santillan needed to pitch today. It's hard to bring them in when you're losing but they really needed to pitch. Tony ended up pretty good he finished  an inning and got out of it. We really needed to pitch Pagan. We were fortunate this game didn't go a whole lot longer."

Gavin Sheets Shrouds The Reds With Extra Base Hits To Even The Series

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The San Diego Padres hit three home runs to turn a three-run deficit into a 6-4 win to even the series at a game apiece. 

The Reds wasted another fine start by Andrew Abbott as the bullpen surrendered five run in the sixth and seventh. 

The Reds jumped on San Diego starter Randy Vasquez in the first inning. TJ Friedl walked but was picked off by Vasquez. Matt McLain singled up the middle. Elly De La Cruz popped out to third baseman Manny Machado. Spencer Steer singled McLain to third. Gavin Lux drove in the run with a single to left.

The Reds added two runs in the second inning. Rece Hinds and Santiago Espinal single to put runners on the corner with one out. Friedl and McLain hit back-to-back RBI singles. 

Reds new ace, Andrew Abbott, held the Padres scoreless through three innings on two hits and a walk. In the fourth Abbott pitched out of a jam.

With one out XanderBogaerts singled. Gavin Sheets hit a catchable line drive to right that Hinds, allowed over his head for a double with Bogaerts to third. Abbott walked former Red Jose Iglesias to load the bases. Jake Cronenworth hit a line drive right to Will Benson in left field. Benson made a quick hard throw to Espinal the cutoff man and Bogaerts held third. Martin Maldonado hit a ground ball to a diving McLain at second who easily threw out the slow running catcher to end the threat. 

Luis Arraez, who won his third straight batting title in 2024, hit his fourth home run of the season to lead off the fifth inning. Arraez' three tittles were with the Minnesota Twins in 2022, the Miami Marlins in 2023 and San Diego last season.

Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. singled with one out but Abbott struck out Bogaerts and Sheets grounded out weakly to Steer at first. 

The Reds got the run back in the bottom of the fifth. De La Cruz opened with a walk. Steer popped up to third base. Third baseman, Machado let it drop to force, De La Cruz at second base. Lux doubled Steer to third. Tyler Stephenson hit sacrifice fly to deep right center to score Steer with the fourth Reds' run. Hinds was robbed of an extra base hit when Sheets made a diving catch in left.

Abbott finished with five innings, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks. He struck out four.

"It was a grind. I could have executed better. I was having a hard time getting, strike one. DJ and I were aware of it," Abbott said. "I got better in the fourth and fifth inning. I knew the bullpen was rested and they have been good all year. They just had a bad day. They'll be back again tomorrow."

Scott Barlow relieved a gassed Abbott. Iglesias opened the inning with a single to right. Cronenworth launched his seventh hom run of the season into the right field stands. Barlow retired the last three batters of the inning to keep the slim lead at, 4-3.

Lyon Richardson started the seventh. Merrill led of the inning with a double. Tatis flied deep to right. Bogaerts walked and Sheets hit his 13th home run. It was Sheets third extra base hit to go with two doubles.

Padres closer Robert Suarez walked Friedl and De La Cruz in the ninth but he struck out Steer to end the game.

Dave Parker Dies At The Age Of 74

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Dave Parker died on Saturday at the age of 74.

Parker a native of Cincinnati, who played baseball and football at Courter Tech High School in Northside.

Parker was drafted in the 14th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.in 1970. He played 19 seasons in the Major Leagues, four with his hometown Reds under Pete Rose. Current Reds manager Terry Francona was his teammate in 1987.

Parker has suffered with Parkinson Disease for since 2012. He died just 19 days after his 74th birthday on June 9 and before he was to be inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 

As a youth Parker would hang around Crosley Field and collect balls that the likes of Frank Robinson and Gus Bell would hit out of the ballpark.

“We would fight for balls outside of the stadium until we got enough to pay for whatever’s going to cost us for the day.” Parker said in a press conference on Zoom for his selection to the Hall of Fame.

Parker lived in the neighborhood surrounding Crosley Field.  Frank Robinson and Vada Pinson gave him bats and gloves as a youth. He also admitted to charging fans to watch their cars in the parking lot.

“I was a five-tool player? I could do them all,” Parker said

Indeed, Parker was the quintessential five-tool player. He could hit for average, a career .290 average that included batting titles in 1977 (.338) and 1978 (.334). He could hit for power with 339 career home runs and 1,493 RBI. He led the National League in doubles twice with 44 for the Pirates in 1977 and 42 with the Reds in 1985. He led the NL with 125 RBI in 1985. No Reds’ player has led the league in RBI since then. He had speed with 154 career stolen bases, including 76 between 1976 and 1979. He was one of the best defensive outfielders that featured a strong accurate arm. Parker had 154 assists from mostly right field. He led the NL with 26 assists in 1977.

“I loved throwing out runners,” Parker said. “I had 21 one year and 25 another year. So I enjoyed throwing out players and if they kept running, I would hit them in the back of the head with the ball.”

Parker played 11 seasons with the Pirates, winning Most Valuable Player honors in 1978. He was an All-Star for Pittsburgh in four seasons. He came home to Cincinnati, signing as a free agent in December 1983.  

It was a wise investment by the Reds Parker was an All-Star for the Reds in 1985 and 1986. He was  second in the MVP voting behind Willie McGee in 1985. He was fifth in the MVP voting in 1986 behind Mike Schmidt, Glen Davis, Gary Carter and Keith Hernandez.

IParker led the Reds in 1984 and 1985 in runs scored (73,88), RBI (94,125) and added 116 RBI in 1986. He led the Reds four straight years 1984-1987 with, 173,198,174,139. Parker led the Reds  with 28 doubles in 1984, a league-leading 42 in 1985, and 31 in 1986. He led the Reds with 16 home runs in 1984, 34 in 1986 and 31 in 1987.

No Reds player has driven in over 118 runs since Parker. Only Greg Vaughn in 199 and Ken Griffey Jr. in 2000 have driven home more than Parker’s 1986 number of 116. Both had 118 RBI.

Nick Martinez Throws A No-Hitter For Eight innings Against His Former Team Backed By Spencer Steer's Three Home Runs

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Nick Martinez had a no-hitter through eight innings and Spencer Steer hit three home runs as the Reds dominated the San Diego Padres, 8-1. 

Martinez walked Jackson Merrill with two outs in the first inning, then retired the next 21 batters until Trenton Brooks walked to lead off the ninth. Elias Diaz doubled off the left center field wall to break up the no-hitter.

"I catch myself like everybody else looking at the radar gun. He was crisp from the very beginning and in command of all his pitches," Francona said. "It was a nervous as I've been in a long, long time. They say good things happen to good people from what he did this week, he deserved it."

Martinez volunteered to pitch an inning out of the bullpen this week to allow Brady Singer start on his regular rest.

"I don't know how much it helped him to pitch out of the bullpen but if you try to make it help you, instead of well I've got to do this. He did it for a reason to help the ballclub. If you have your attitude in the right place, it helps."

The Padres held a 2 1/2 game lead over the Reds for the final Wild Card slot.

The Reds got off to a fast start against Dylan Cease. TJ Friedl opened the bottom of the first with a walk. Matt McLain shot a ground single through the hole into right field. McLain moved to second on a error by right fielder Fernando Tatis. Friedl scored on a ground out up the middle by Elly De La Cruz. McLain scored on a passed ball by Martin Maldonado.

Spencer Steer hit his seventh home run in the second inning. Steer led off the fourth with a home run. It is the second time in his career that he hit two home runs in a game.

Left hander Yuki Matsui took over for Cease in the fifth inning. De La Cruz greeted him with a line single to left. Austin Hays just activated from the injured list doubled down the left field line as De La Cruz scored. Gavin Lux singled to score Hays. Steer followed with his third home run of the game.

"How about that? He is so humble he wouldn't come out for a curtain call,' Francona said. "It's pretty cool he's so modest that he doesn't want t one in."

"It's not about me," Steer said. "It was the fifth inning at the time. I got the standing ovation after I struck out. That was pretty cool. I soaked that in. For the first time in my life, I didn't want to walk."

Taylor Rogers came on to pitch to Luis Arraez, the three-time batting champion.Arraez popped out to third and Tyler Wade struck out. Merrill walked. Bryce Johnson walked to break the shutout. Gavin Sheets struck out to end the game.

"It was pretty early. I looked up in the fourth inning and there was no hits. There was some good plays behind me. I talked to myself about one pitch at a time," Martinez said. "I was on adrenaline in the ninth inning. I was jacked up."

Austin Hays Returns Jake Fraley To Injured List Noelvi Marte Nearing The End Of Rehab

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Austin Hays came off the injured list on Friday and was the DH to start the series against the San Diego Padres.

The Reds placed Jake Fraley on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right shoulder. 

Hays is returning from his third trip to the injured list with a left foot contusion. He fouled a pitch off  it in Kansas City on May 28. 

The Reds were 14-10 in the 24 games he missed. Altogether this season, Hays missed 66 games in which the Reds record was 34-32.

"I feel good about where I'm at. Running was holding us back. That was the hump we were trying to get over," Hays said. "It didn't go as quick as we wanted it to. We got to the point where we shut it down for a few days. It was the right decision at the time. I was trying to push it hard early on. I was hitting well and I tried to force the issue. I was supposed to come back in Cleveland (June 9)."

Hays was in the lineup batting cleanup against Dylan Cease.

"Brad and I talked to Fraley the other day," Terry Francona said. "He said it's hurting. We encourage you to send the pictures to a doctor that you have the most confidence in. It is not going to work if he's worried about it."

"We missed Hays," Francona said. "He will lengthen out our lineup. He saw the ball real good the first time he came back but it is kind of a coin flip. We got a leader back. We're not going to run him into the ground here."

Noelvi Marte is on rehab with Louisville. He will play nine innings on Friday and Saturday. He will DH on Sunday. As he nears the end of his rehab it is "manager's discretion." He may remain in Louisville for awhile.

Yankees Avoid Sweep With Stopper Max Fried's Gem And A Revived Offense

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The New York Yankees took advantage of the Reds' sloppy fielding to avoid a sweep with a 7-1 win.

Max Fried handled the Reds to win his 10th game against two losses. Fried entered the game with a 2.05 ERA second in the Major Leagues behind Hunter Brown's 1.88. He finished with seven innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits and a walk. He struck out seven. His ERA dropped to 1.92.

"He had all four pitches. He cut it with velocity," Francona said. "He is an elite pitcher who is feeling really good about himself."

The Reds defense let down starter Brady Singer in the first three innings.

"The miscues even if they don't score but he had to make a lot more pitches," Francona said. "CES didn't have a throwing lane. He probably should have eaten it and got the man at first."

Trent Grisham, who had four hits in the game, got a gift double leading off the game when the Reds outfielders, TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer couldn't find the ball in the sun. Singer struck out Aaron Judge, Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm to cut off a Yankee rally.

The Yankees put the leadoff batter on in eight innings.

Jason Domiguez, who also had four hits, doubled off the base of the center field wall on a drive that Friedl couldn't see. Singer walked Anthony Volpe. Austin Wells hit a ground ball to Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base. His throw to force Volpe pulled Elly De La Cruz off second base and loaded the bases. Grisham singled one run home. 

In the third inning Giancarlo Stanton lined to Friedl. The ball was clearly in Friedl's glove but fell out when the Reds' center fielder brace his slide. Chisholm followed with his 11th home run of the season to put the Yankees up, 3-0.

"I thought I made a pretty good pitch down and in," Singer said of Chisholm's home run.

"He struck him out on a curve ball in the first inning. It looked like he was sitting on it," Francona explained.

The Reds got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning. De La Cruz singled with one out and moved to second on Tyler Stephenson's ground out to third. Steer hit a high chop to Chisholm at third. The throw to first was wide and eluded Rice at first. De La Cruz scored.

The Yankees got the run back due to shoddy Reds' fielding in the fifth. Singer hit Rice with his first pitch. Stanton walked. Chisholm flied out to center. De La Cruz fumbled a potential double play grounder and threw late to first to load the bases. Volpe flied out to medium center. Rice left for home early and had to go back to tag. The throw was cut off by De La Cruz, who threw late to the plate as Rice scored.

Santiago Espinal hit a two-out double in the fifth but was picked off by Fried to end the inning after a Reds' challenge.

Ian Gibaut replaced Singer, who pitched five innings. Singer allowed four runs on six hits, three walks and a hit batter. Singer struck out a career-high nine batters.

DJ LaMahieu singled up the middle to open the sixth frame. Grisham's third hit was off the glove of the diving CES. Judge doubled to drive in LaMahieu. Grisham stopped at third and held when De La Cruz short hopped a low line drive and threw out Rice at first. Stanton drove in Grisham with a high chop ground out to De La Cruz.

Taylor Rogers entered the game to pitch to Chisholm, who struck out looking. 

Joe On IL Ryan Vilade Fills Roster Garrett Hampson And Jeimer Candelario Released By Reds

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The Reds placed Connor Joe on the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 22 with hand, foot and mouth disease.

The Reds recalled Ryan Vilade, who the Reds claimed from the St. Louis Cardinals on June 14.

Vilade plays the corner outfield and first base. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the second round in 2017 from Stillwater High School in Oklahoma. He broke in with the Rockies in 2021 but has only 27 games in the Big Leagues for Colorado, the Detroit Tigers last season and the Cardinals for five games this season.

Vilade had one hit in 13 at bats for St. Louis this season.

Garret Hampson was designated for assignment on Monday to make room for Chase Burns. The Cardinals claimed him and designated former Red, Jose Barrero for assignment.

The Reds designated Jeimer Candelario for assignment on Monday. Candelario is owed $22 million by the Reds.

"It was a tough decision. He's a great guy," President of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "We thought he was going to come in and be our everyday third baseman. It just didn't work out. He put up a stretch with good numbers last year. This year he struggled in spring training, struggled out of the gate and went to the IL. We felt it was the best chance to win by keeping the guys we have instead of activating him."

The Reds Beat The Yankees For The Fifth Time In A Row In An 11 Inning Thriller

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Gavin Lux singled with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th inning to send the Reds to a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the New York Yankees. The Reds have won five straight against the Yankess, three straight in the win column and improved to 2-6 in extra-inning games.

The Reds matched their season-high four games over .500.

The Yankees are 1-6 in overtime.

"It was an emotional roller coaster," Terry Francona said. "We had one more turn than they did."

Chase Burns struck out the first five batters he faced in his Major League debut and seven of the first nine. 

"That was pretty cool," Francona said.

Burns was not intimidated by the Yankees. 

"The first two innings was fun," Burns said. "I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't amped up. When Judge popped up to end the fifth I thought 'Thank God'. The three runs are just part of baseball. I could have executed my pitches better."

Ben Rice off the fourth inning with his 14th home run. Aaron Judge singled. Burns induced pop ups from Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt. Jazz Chisholm singled for his second hit. Anthony Volpe hit a sinking line drive to center field. TJ Friedl attempt at a diving catch bounded past him for a triple and the Yankees led, 3-0.

The Reds put leadoff hitters on base in the second and third innings against Carlos Rodon. A pair of double plays stunted the Reds' offense. 

Burns pitched five innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out eight and walked no one.

Rodon pitched six shutout innings before being relieved by Jonathan Loaisiga.

The Reds tied the score against the right hander, who allowed runs in just three of his 15 outings. 

With one out Tyler Stephenson worked his second walk of the game. Rece Hinds and former Yankee Jose Trevino hit singles to load the bases. Christian Encarnacion-Strand cleared the bases with a double into the left field corner.

Former Red Fernando Cruz entered the game to face Santiago Espinal. He grounded out to third. Friedl grounded out to end the inning.

Ian Gibaut pitched a scoreless sixth. Brent Suter struck out the side in the seventh and came out to face left handed batters, Trent Grisham and Ben Rice, both of whom flied out.

Terry Francona summoned Lyon Richardson to face Judge. He grounded out in the shortstop hole as Elly De La Cruz threw him out. 

Former Red Luke Weaver, who returned from the injured list on Friday, opened the eighth for the Yankees facing Matt McLain, De La Cruz and Spencer Steer.

Weaver allowed a single to Steer, his second hit but Stephenson flied out to right. 

Bellinger opened the ninth with a single off Richardson. Paul Goldschmidt flied to right. Chisholm struck out. Richardson struck out Volpe to take the tie game into the bottom of the ninth.

Devon Williams, who owned the Reds as a Milwaukee Brewer came in for the ninth.

Chisholm was ejected by home plate umpire Mark Wegner before the inning started. DJ LeMahieu replaced him. 

Williams retired the Reds in order to send the game into extra innings. 

Tony Santillan took the mound in the 10th with Volpe on second. Santillan retired the first two hitters but walked two in front of Judge, who popped out in the infield to end the threat.

Mark Leiter Jr. relieved Weaver with Encarnacion-Strand on second and the Reds' best bunter, Espinal, up. Will Benson ran for CES. Leiter retired the next three batters.

Connor Phillips came on in the 11th with Judge on second base. Steer made a diving stop on a hard shot down the first base line by Bellinger. Judge went to third and scored on a wild pitch.

Leiter Jr. remained in the game with McLain on second base and De La Cruz at the plate.  De La Cruz reached on an infield single as McLain went to third. Steer tied it with a single his third hit of the game. De La Cruz stopped at second, thinking it was the winning run. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third with no outs. Stephenson walked to load the bases. The Yankees brought in Bellinger as a fifth infielder and played the infield in,

Gavin Lux pinch hit for Hinds. Lux singled to achieve a walk off win. 

"I don't think I've been in a situation where there were five infielders," Lux said. "My head was like, I have to get the ball in the air and stay inside the ball. It worked out. There were a lot of good at bats in front of it."

Before the game winner, Lux enjoyed watching Burns' first start. 

"I was excited to watch Chase throw. His stuff is electric. He's not scared at all against one of the best lineups in baseball."

Chase Burns To Challenge New York Yankees In Major League Debut

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

The crown jewel of the Reds' farm system, Chase Burns, will get a baptism of fire tonight against the New York Yankees, the reigning American League champion.

Burns was drafted with Reds first pick and the second player taken. He did not pitch professionally after his college career at Wake Forest ended.

This year he dominated batters in Dayton, Chattanooga and Louisville after one impressive inning in spring training.

"He threw that one inning the day we sent him down. It was the ninth inning or the eighth. It was late." Terry Francona said. "I temember when we were getting out of the calf carts, Brad (Meador) and Nick (Krall). We knew we had to talk to him and it was should we tell him he made it? It was said jokingly but the point was he was impressive."

"It's exciting," Francona continued. "There is no getting around it. It sends a huge message. We're trying to win and there's no guarantees but when everyone is on the same page pulling in this direction, it bouyies you up a little bit." 

The talent is obvious. Burns made three starts at Dayton, eight in Chattanooga and three more in Louisville. combined he was 7-3 with a 1.77 ERA. He struck out 89 batters and walked 13. His WHIP was 0.773.

When Hunter Greene and Wade Miley went down with injuries and the other Chase,  Petty had two cracks at starting with limited success to put it kindly. This time the decision was an obvious one.

"You can't replicate your first big league start. It is the most exciting day in your life," Francona said. "Whatever happens won't define him. If he pitches seven shut out innings people will have him in the Hall of Fame. If he gives up seven, people will talk about him being sent down. I told him just be who you are. If we have to make adjustments  wwe will but don't try to be something you're not. Let's see if they can hit you. You get him on a five, occasionally, six game schedule and let's go."

Burns was with his roommate in Louisville, Blake Dunn when Louisville manager, Pat Kelly, called him back to the stadium. He was wearing shorts, a T-shirt and gym shoes. 

Kelly told Burns that his wardrobe was totally unacceptable. "They won't let you wear that in the Big Leagues."

"I'm excited," Burns understated. "It's dream come true, walking in to see some familiar faces and be a Big Leaguer. Hard work paid off. I talked about wanting to move up fast. Now that it's happened it's surreal. It was like in Dayton making my first start."

A year ago at this time Burns was in the College World Series with Wake Forest University.

Burns was born in Italy, the city is listed as Napoli but he was actually delivered on a ship sailing back to the United States. His father, David and his mother Trinetti met each other while both were serving in the US Navy. His father played football at North Greenville college. His mother is from Lake Charles, Louisianna.

The family settled in Hendersonville, Tennessee. H attended the University of Tennessee but transfered to Wake Forest because they had advanced technology that applied to pitching. He broke Rhett Lowder's strikeout record. Lowder, who is injured, was the Reds' first pick in 2023.

His father is the voice he most listens to for advice and he is in the stands, tonight.

Ironically, Burns grew up a Yankee's fan because his favorite was Derek Jeter. Burns played shortstop growing up.

B