About Me

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

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Reds Snap Out Of Sweep Whack White Sox Pen

   https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  


Nick Lodolo brought his new grip to the South Side of Chicago. The Reds whacked the White Sox bullpen to snap a three game losing streak with a 5-4 10-inning win over the Chicago White Sox.

Lodolo’s bread and butter breaking ball looked good with the new, less corrosive grip. It was mistakes  with the fastball caused him problems. 

 Light hitting, Brenton Doyle, a recent refuge from the Colorado Rockies, improved on his .224 average by belting Lodolo’s first pitch 415 feet for his second home run of the season. Catcher Edgar Quero is a .197 hitter but clubbed his third home run of the season in the second inning. 

Miguel Vargas at .235 hit his 25th home run of the season to stake the Sox to a 3-0 lead. 

The lead got bigger as Randall Grichuk doubled and Sam Antonacci blooped a double just ahead of Dane Myers diving attempt at a catch.

“My fastball wasn’t sharp but my breaking ball gives me something to build on,” Lodolo said.

He finished his first start in a month with four innings, giving up four runs on five hits, three solo home run and two doubles. He didn’t issue any walks and struck out five.

“I thought he was crisp,” Terry Francona said. “He made some mistakes with his fastball and paid for it but I thought he threw the ball pretty well.”

The Reds were totured by White Sox starter Sean Burke for seven innings. The only base runner to reach in the first four innings was rookie Hector Rodriguez, who struck out on a wild pitch. Rodriguez struck out four times.

Eugenio Suarez hit his 17th home run leading off the fifth. He doubled off Burke and Sal Stewart singled for the only hits the White Sox starter surrendered. Burke didn’t walk a batter and fanned eight Reds in his seven innings. 

Left hander Bryan Hudson took over in the eighth. Matt McLain beat out a slow roller to third for a hit. Pinch hitter Michael Toglia placed a single into short center in his first at bat as a Red. Elly De La Cruz grounded a single to right to score McLain. Stewart hit a drive to right caught by Braden Montgomery. Toglia went to third and De La Cruz took second in an aggressive move to put tying runs in scoring position.

Grant Taylor walked JJ Bleday and Tyler Stephenson tied the game with a two-run single.

Luis Mey retired six batters on 21 pitches with two strikeouts. Pierce Johnson set down three batters on eight pitches with a strikeout to keep the game tight until the rally.

Tejay Antone gave up a double to Munetaka Murajami, who has reached base in 25 straight games, but stranded him in a scoreless inning.

Brock Burke the Reds left handed iron man made his 60th appearance a scoreless one to make himself the pitcher of record in line for his fifth win of the season.

McLain was the ghost runner in the 10th. He went to third on Toglia’s fly to right and scored on De La Cruz fly to right center against Sean Newcombe.

Quero was the runner on second in the White Sox 10th. He got a great view of a 14 pitch battle between Reds’ closer Emilio Pagan and Antonacci. The second baseman fouled off eight two-strike pitches before Stephenson was able to hold onto a foul tip for a strikeout. Luisangel Acuna and Tristan Peters popped out in the infield to give Pagan his 14th save.

In his last nine appearances has seven saves and two wins.


Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Nick Lodolo Activated Michael Toglia Added

  https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  

Nick Lodolo puts his blister behind him and will start against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday (081126).

Hunter Greene who is under going surgery was placed on the 60-day injured list.

The Reds sent Ivan Johnson back to Louisville on Sunday after the game with the Washington Nationals. Zach McCambley was returned to Louisville today.

 Michael Toglia, a switch hitting, first baseman, right fielder was recalled from Louisville.

Toglia is 27 years old. He was the first round pick of the Colorado Rockies in 2019 out of UCLA. He was born in Phoenix but graduated from Gio Harbor High Scholl in Washington.

The Reds signed him on January 6, 2026.

Toglia made it to the big leagues with the Rockies in 2022. He played in 76 games combined in 2022 and 2023, cracking the staring lineup in 2024. In 116 games, Toglia slashed .216/.311/.456 with 14 doubles, three triples, 25 home runs and 55 RBI. He stole 10 bases in 11 attempts. He played in 88 games last season, slumping to .190 but hit 15 doubles, a triple and 11 homers.

The Reds sent reassigned him to Louisville in spring training.Toglia played in 97 games at Louisville, slashing .273/.373/.547 with 26 doubles, a triple, 22 home runs and 65 RBI. He was four stolen bases in five tries.

His batting average splits are even for his Major League at bats. He has hit left handed 741 times with 25 doubles, five triples and 29 homers. Right handed he’s logged 326 at bats with 17 doubles, a triple and 13 home runs. His averages are .197 from the left side, .208 from the right side. He throws left handed.




 

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Reds Win An Appeal But Still Faced Capitol Punishment

       https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  


An 11th hour appeal went the Reds way but somehow the Reds faced execution in a 7-1 verdict to the Washington Nationals to lose all three weekend judgements.

Andres Chaparro crushed a ball to left field that would have buried the Reds with a three run home run. The ball left the field very just left of the foul pole. Washington manager, Blake Butera, asked for a review which was denied. Chaparro, who drove in three runs off the bench on Saturday, punished the Reds with a two-run double to the opposite gap to complete the rout.

 The Reds came into the game trying to avoid a sweep after a fast start following the All-Star game. The Washington Nationals won the first two games but the Reds jumped out to a 1-0 lead against Brad Lord, starting for the third time this season to open a bullpen day.

Tyler Stephenson singled to open the second inning. Eugenio Suarez was hit flush on the wrist with a pitch. Hector Rodriguez tried to pull one through the hole between first and second. Second baseman, Abimelec Ortiz, ranged to it and threw him out as the runners moved up a base. The Reds have had a poor year hitting with runners in scoring position. Dane Myers shot a line drive toward the right centerfield gap. Dylan Crews made a sliding catch as Stephenson scored.

The lead didn’t last long. Brady Singer, who has a fine 3.05 ERA over his last 10 starts, gave up singles to Crews and Jorbit Vivas. Nasim Nunez flied out but Keibert Ruiz shot the first of his three hits into center to score Crews as Vivas stopped at third. Jacob Young hit a sacrifice fly to left field to put the Nationals up 2-1.

Ortiz hit an opposite field home run in leading off the third.

Singer shut the Nationals out over his last four innings, finishing six innings, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk. The home run he allowed was his first in three starts.

Brock Burke added another game to his National League leading appearances. He worked his 59th game and needs 10 more to match his career-high set last year with the Los Angeles Angels.

Will Dion pitched three scoreless innings for the Nationals on one hit. Trevor Williams took over in the sixth after a two-out double by JJ Bleday.

The Nationals stretched their lead in the seventh. CJ Abrams singled off Burke and stole second. He went to third on a wild pickoff attempt. Daylen Lile continued to torture the Reds with his second hit, an RBI single.

Williams gave up the Reds’ fourth hit, a single by Matt McLain. Nunez turned pinch hitter TJ Friedl’s bid for a base hit into a rally killing, double play. Williams got Elly De La Cruz on a slow roller to Nunez. 

Tejay Antone tried to send the Reds to their final at bat just three runs down. Instead it got worse.

Vivas hit a bleeder to third base replacement Ivan Johnson after Gold Glover Ke’Bryan Hayes was removed for Friedl’s pinch hit at bat. Vivas reached to start the inning. Pinch runner Andrew Pinckney stole second. Nunez hit a sinking line drive to center. Pinckney had to freeze in case Myers caught it. Myers picked a short hop and threw toward third. De La Cruz cut the throw and raced to the second base bag to tag Nunez sliding in. Nunez was ruled out but Buters appealed and won. Ruiz, 3-for-3, was walked intentionally to load the bases and set up a force at any base. Young hit a roller to third it got under Johnson’s glove but De La Cruz picked it up and sped to third for the force as Pinckney scored. Antone struck out MLB leading RBI leader, Abrams but Chaparro hammered in the final nail.

Jake Bird had no trouble with the Reds in the ninth.




 

Chase Burns First Clunker Causes Reds Demise

  https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  


Chase Burns string of 12 winning decisions with an 8-2 loss to the Washington Nationals. 

Burns and Andrew Alvarez held the teams scoreless until the Nationals were able to bunch hits in the third inning. 

 Boasting one of the best offenses in baseball, the Nationals attacked Burns in the third. Jose Tena singled. With one out CJ Abrams doubled to right sending Tena to third base. Abimilec Ortiz singled to score both runners.

The Reds, hit seven solo home runs in the previous two games. This time Eugenio Suarez belted his 16th home run of the season and the second in two games in the sixth inning.

Sal Stewart rolled a ball down the third baseline and stayed fair. Right hander Max Kranick relieved Albarez. Suarez’ drive left the yard in left center to tie the game.

Burns went into the bottom of the sixth tied. He appeared to strikeout Dylan Crews to start the inning. Crews challenged the call by home plate umpire Erich Bacchus and won by less than 2/10 an inch.

Crews doubled to left. Daylen Lile drove in his fourth run of the series by singling home Crews. Keibert Ruiz doubled Lile to third. Burns struck out Jorbit Vivas looking but walked Nasim Nunez. 

Sam Moll relieved Burns. Andres Chaparro hit for Tena. He doubled to left two runs scored but JJ Bleday hit Elly De La Cruz with a relay throw. The shortstop nailed Nunez at home with a peg to Jose Trevino.

Moll threw a wild pitch. Jacob Young singled to plate Chaparro.

Burns finished 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks. He fanned six. It was the second time Burns allowed five runs in a game. The Los Angeles Angels scored five runs on April 10. His season ERA rose to 2.61.

Ron Marinaccio, activated today, pitched a scoreless seventh to start his Reds career. 

The Nationals got to Marinaccio in the eighth. Vivas walked and stole second. Chaparro drove in his third run of the game. Jacob Young was hit by a pitch to send Vivas to scoring position, Abrams singled to drive home Vivas. It was Abrams 89th RBI, extending his Major League lead to two over Stewart.

 

Saturday, August 8, 2026

The Reds Bullpen Shuttle Up And Running

  https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  

As expected Chase Petty has been returned to Triple A Louisville one day after starting the first game of the Washington Nationals series on Friday (080726). 

The Reds activated RHP Ron Marinaccio, who reported to the club, after the Reds claimed him on waivers on from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

 Marinaccio is 31 years old and was the 19th round pick of the New York Yankees out of the University of Delaware.

He broke in with the Yankees in 2022 and made 101 appearances with two saves in his three seasons with New York.

Marinaccio spent most of 2025 in the San Diego Padres system at El Paso. He started the 2026 season with the Padres. He had a 1-0 record and 4.79 ERA in 33 games covering 47 innings.

The Pirates obtained Marinaccio for cash considerations on July 23. He pitched in four games and 5 1/3 innings with a 6.75 ERA, including his last appearance on August 2 against the Reds. He gave up two runs in two innings in two hits and a walk.

Marinaccio was suspended by MLB for intentionally hitting Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunner Henderson with a pitch on June 13. He served two games.

The Pirates needed roster space after adding pitching at the trade deadline.

 

Two Pitches Doom Reds In DC

  https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds offense was reflective of the season. Missed chances while watching the victorious Washington Nationals turn two pitches into all third runs in a 5-3 win.

 Daylen Lile of Louisville Trinity High School turned a Chase Petty pitch into a three run home run in the first inning. CJ Abrams singled to start the bottom of the first for Washington. With one out Brady House grounded a potential double play ball toward Elly De La Cruz. Instead of gloving it and attempting an inning ending double play, it crawled up his left arm and leaked into center to put Abrams to third. Lile, who has now hit four of his career 24 home runs against the Reds in just six games, put the Nationals on top.

        https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  


 The Reds had chances but all their offense came from solo home runs by Eugenio Suarez, his 15th in the second inning. Matt McLain homered for the second game in a row, his 10th of the season. De La Cruz’ 20th immediately followed to tie the score.

The Reds have scored seven runs the last two games on solo home runs.

Hector Rodriguez doubled to right center with two outs in the fourth for his first big league hit. Noelvi Marte struck out.

Julian Garcia took over for Petty. Like doublced and catcher Harry Ford hit his second home run of the season to put the Nationals up 5-3.

The Reds put runners on with on out in the fifth. McLain doubled off  starter Cade Cavali and De La Cruz walked. Sal Stewart, who is one RBI behind Abrams for the MLB RBI lead, grounded into a double play.

In the seventh the Reds started strong. Marte opened the inning with a single. He stole second, Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a slow roller to third. House and Cavalli had no play. It put runners on first and third, with no outs. Yovanny Cruz relieved Cavalli. McLain struck out. De La Cruz walked to load the bases. Stewart grounded the ball up the middle. The Nationals turned an inning ending double play.

Luis Mey and Zack McCambley shut down the Nationals to give the Reds a chance.

Orlando Ribalta pitched a 1-2-3 eighth for Washington. Clayton Beeter matched him in the ninth for his 12th save.


 

Friday, August 7, 2026

Hunter Greene Surgery Ends Season

         https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  


Hunter Greene was examined by Dr. Neal EllAttrache on Thursday night. 

He was the surgeon who removed the bone chips from Greene’s elbow on March 11. He returned just before the All-Star break and made five starts. The 

 Greene felt pain in the elbow on and off since his return. He reported pain after throwing a side on Tuesday in preparation for his scheduled start on Thursday. 

Dr. Timothy Kremchek performed an MRI but Greene flew to Los Angeles to get his elbow re examined by Dr. EllAtrache Thursday night.

President of baseball operations Nick Krall, told reporters at Nationals Park of the surgery.

Krall told them,”You never know how the bone chips affect the ligament. It could have happened on the ramp up. It could also have started way back then.”

Greene had surgery at 19 two years after the Reds made him the first pick of the 2017 draft. He misses 2019 and 2020 completely.

He has missed time every year since his entry into the Major Leagues on April 10, 2022 against Atlanta.

The Reds locked him up in April 2023 with a contract extension through 2028 with a team option for 2029.

Greene made 22 starts in 2022, 24 in 2023 and 26 in 2024. The last two seasons he was limited to 19 in 2025 and five this season.


Thursday, August 6, 2026

Reds Ambush A's With Four Home Runs Andrew Abbott Quiets A's

     https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  


Elly De La Cruz opened the game with his 19th home run of the season against Athletics' starter Mason Barnett. Three Reds teammates followed up to sweep the Athletics with a 6-5 triumph. The sweep of the Athletics was reminiscent of the 1990 World Series sweep of the A's.

It was the fourth time, De La Cruz homered to open a game.

Sal Stewart, Tyler Stephenson and JJ Bleday followed De La Cruz' lead.

"Well early we had three solos (home runs). I think we had four hits and three home runs to get us tied, which is good," Terry Francona said. "We got into their bullpen and needed to tack on a run. It ended up being huge that Bleday hit his home run."

Andrew Abbott faced the minimum nine batters in the first three innings. Tommy White singled in the first but Jonah Heim hit into a double play.

The Athletics assaulted Abbott in the fourth inning. Henry Bolte singled and White singled for the second time to put runners at the corner. Heim walked to load the bases. Tyler Soderstrom singled to plate two runs. Max Muncy singled to left field to load the bases. Lawrence Butler hit a ground ball to second baseman Matt McLain who fed De La Cruz at second. The relay was deemed late by first base umpire Jonathan Parra. The Reds challenged and the call was overturned resulting in a double play. Brian Severn flied out to end the inning.

Sal Stewart belted his 25th home run leading off the bottom of the fourth. It put him alone on a list headed by Frank Robinson with 38 home runs as a rookie. He passed Joey Votto, who also had 24. He is also one short of the Major League lead for RBI with 87. CJ Abrams of the Washington Nationals, who starts the day with 88.I

"It was funny," Francona said. "Before Sal went to the plate he asked if I wanted to take a pitch (to make sure Abbott had time to rest after the three-run inning). I said no, I want you to hit it into the right field stands. He hit it to left center. I told him you never listen to any body."

Tyler Stephenson hit his 10th home run of the season one out later to tie the score, 3-3.

The Reds like in the first game of the series, when two wild pitches provided the winning run, the A's pitcher's wildness put the Reds in the lead. McLain was hit by Barnett to start the inning. De La Cruz popped out. McLain stole second but couldn't score on Stewart's single that was hit hard right at Soderstrom in left field. Barnett walked JJ Bleday to fill the bases. Mark Kotsay, the Athletics manager brought in Elvis Alvarado. Alvarado struck out Stephenson looking but walked Eugenio Suarez and Dane Myers to give the Reds a 5-3 lead. 

Abbott got the first two outs in the seventh inning but Jonathan Ornelas singled to right. Pierce Johnson got Bolte to line back to the mound.

"I think he pitched really well. When the starters get that deep in the game and could have gone on," Francona said. "I think he could have gone on. I just wanted to make sure that if we brought in Pierce (Johnson) we had (Sam) Moll for Soderstrom. When your starting pitchers go that deep you can start to match up."

Abbott pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out four.

"I knew we had an impending bullpen day," Abbott said. "I said let me go ahead and start against these guys. There are more favorable match ups with all their left handed hitters. I wanted to give the bullpen as much of a break as possible. It's tough throwing a night game at 6:40 and throwing a day game at 12:40. I told Tito. I'm ready to go. It is a normal five day rest for me. I don't need six."

Bleday tortured his teammates from last season with his 20th home run of the season. It came against Seth Johnson, who the A's got in exchange for Colby Thomas on Monday. His home run proved important as the A's scored two meaningless runs in the ninth inning against Brock Burke, in his team leading 58th appearance.

Bleday was not tendered a contract by the Athletics after last season. He signed with the Reds as a non roster player and started the season at Louisville.

"There is always going to be nerves, awkwardness whatever you want to call it," Bleday said. "Well I am happy to be a Red now. I wake up and thank God every day."

With one out Butler hit a slow ground ball over the mound that De La Cruz scooped on the run. His throw was wide and the throwing error put Butler on second. Backup catcher Brian Serven hit his second home run into the left field stands to make it a one-run game. 

The runs broke Burke's personal streak of 12 scoreless appearances.

He rallied to get Alika Williams on another slow roller to De La Cruz. This time it was scooped by Stewart. Burke struck out Ornelas to record his second save of the year.

Reds Bolster Bullpen With Waiver Picks

         https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  


The Reds claimed RHP Ron Marinaccio from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Marinaccio faced the Reds in the last series.

The also claimed RHP Chase Solesky from the Tampa Bay Rays and optioned him to Triple A Louisville. 

The Reds placed outfielder Blake Dunn on the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the roster.

The Reds will make a corresponding move with Marinaccion when he arrives. The Reds are planning a bullpen day on Friday to cover for Hunter Greene's absence.


 

Reds Schedule Pitching Around Hunter Greene's Absence

  https://gofund.me/b67c71781


Dateline: Cincinnati  


Hunter Greene will be examined in Los Angeles later today about 3:30 pm (pct) by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Greene was scheduled to start the final game of the three-game series against the Athletics on Thursday (080626).

Andrew Abbott was moved up a day.

On Friday the Reds will have a bullpen day with Luis Mey being the opener.

"That's what he's been doing in Louisville," Terry Francona said.

Mey has started one game among 32 appearances. He has no record and a 3.86 ERA over 37 1/3 innings with 26 walks and 51 strikeouts.

Nick Lodolo pitched 4 1/3 innings for Louisville on Wednesday. He threw 65 pitches in giving up three earned runs. He will get the start on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.

Brandon Williamson on the injured list since April with fatigue in his left shoulder was sent to Louisville for another rehab assignment.

He pitched two innings for Chattanooga against the Birmingham Barons on Sunday. Williamson gave up no runs and no hits with two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 39 pitches, 22 for strikes.

The Reds are also close to getting bullpen aces, Graham Ashcraft and Tony Santillan back. Santillan will pitch to live hitters when the team in Washington and they will see where he is after that.