Ozuna Ends Drought To Drown Reds

 

 

 Marcell Ozuna homered, Gio Urshela drove in three runs and Spencer Schwellenbach pitched six innings of one-run ball as the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Wednesday night. 

The win allowed the Braves to stay within two games of the Mets for the final National League wild card spot.

The Braves are 1-4 against the Reds this season.

Ozuna greeted Tony Santillan (2-3) with his 38th home run of the season in the seventh, a solo shot that broke a 1-1 tie. The blast ended Ozuna's home run drought at 26 games and his RBI drought at 19 games. Urshela drove in two runs with a bases loaded single, pushing the lead to 4-1.

In the eighth, Michael Harris II homered and Ozuna doubled to knock in Eli White and record his 100th RBI of the season. 

Urshela drove in his third run with a ground-rule double in the ninth.

Schwellenbach (7-7) made his 19th start for the Braves. In six innings, he allowed one run on five hits while striking out five and walking two.  

The Reds managed three hits in the first five innings and pushed their only run across in the sixth. Elly De La Cruz hit his ninth triple into the right field corner to lead off the inning. De La Cruz scored on TJ Friedl's safety squeeze.

Jakob Junis made his fourth start for the Reds. He was pressed into a starting role when Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo were injured. Junis retired the first 11 Braves’ batters before Ozuna doubled. Matt Olsen’s single to center broke the scoreless tie in the fourth.

Junis pitched six innings, allowing just two hits. He retired 18 of the 20 batters he faced.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: Ozzie Albies made his first rehab start Tuesday night. “He hit off lefties all night. Everything was good. I hope he can get some right on right at bats, tonight," manager Brian Snitker said.

Reds: The Reds are deciding whether Hunter Greene will make a start Sunday. “He will make two starts,” David Bell said.

UP NEXT

The final of the three-game series on Thursday afternoon will feature the Reds' rookie Julian Aguiar (2-0, 4.88 ERA) against Braves' veteran Chris Sale (17-3, 2.35).

Spencer Steer Gudes Red To Fourth Straight Win Over Braves

 

 

 Michael Harris II and Matt Olson homered for Atlanta, but the Braves blew a four-run lead in a costly 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.

Pierce Johnson and Jesse Chavez struggled as Atlanta dropped its third consecutive game. The Braves (81-70) fell two games back of the New York Mets (83-68) for the third NL wild card.

Harris hit a leadoff drive in the first against Brandon Williamson. Marcell Ozuna reached on a one-out single before Olson made it 3-0 with his 26th homer.

Jorge Soler's 19th homer made it 5-1 in the fourth. But that was it for Atlanta, which went 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 14 runners on base.

“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot a couple times,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “This is one of those places, too. You're never safe. You have to keep scoring. There were a couple plays that could have been executed better.”

Spencer Steer homered for Cincinnati, and Tyler Stephenson had two hits and drove in a run. The Reds (74-78) improved to 4-0 against the Braves this year.

Jake Fraley started Cincinnati's rally with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth. The Reds added two more runs in the sixth against Chavez.

Stephenson hit a leadoff single in the seventh and Steer hit a drive to left-center off Johnson (5-5), giving Cincinnati a 6-5 lead.

Steer has 20 homers and 25 steals. He joined Elly De La Cruz as the first teammates on the Reds with at least 20 homers and 20 steals in the same season since Barry Larkin and Eric Davis accomplished the feat in 1996.

“I try to show up every day and take good at bats to help this team win. That's why I showed so much emotion. I felt it was a big spot and I feel like I've not been the guy I needed to be for this team,” Steer said. “I hold myself to a high standard. This game is all about consistency and I haven't been as consistent as I'd like.”

Steer is still among the league leaders with 91 RBIs.

Atlanta right-hander Grant Holmes pitched four innings in his first start since Aug. 14. He was charged with two runs and five hits.

“Grant gave us everything we needed and more," Snitker said. “I thought Jesse threw the ball really well. It was just a couple of misplays.”

Williamson left the game in the second inning with a strained left elbow. He permitted three runs and three hits.

“It was one pitch that did it,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He had an MRI tonight but there is going to be a follow-up tomorrow in the afternoon.”

Brent Suter (1-0) got one out for the win, and Alexis Díaz handled the ninth for his 28th save in 32 tries.

Ozuna had two hits, raising his batting average to .303. But he hasn't hit a home run in his last 26 games. He hasn't driven in a run in his last 19.

“We've been struggling to score runs lately but I'd hate to see where we'd be without him,” Snitker said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: INF Ozzie Albies started a rehab assignment in the minors. Snitker hopes to have him back for an upcoming series against Miami.

UP NEXT

Spencer Schwellenbach (6-7, 3.73 ERA) starts for Atlanta on Wednesday, and Jakob Junis (4-0, 2.73 ERA) goes for the Reds.

Pittsburgh Panthers Trap Bearcats With A Huge Second Half Comeback

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats squandered a 21-point lead to suffer a 28-27 loss to the University of Pittsburgh Panthers in the 14th meeting of the River City Rivals.

The Bearcats was their first loss in four meetings to put their record to 9-5 in meetings all-time. The Bearcats won a 27-21 decision last season.

Tipp City native Ben Souls kicked a 35-yard field goal with 17 seconds left to complete the comeback.

"It was a gutsy win for our guys," Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi said. "I couldn't be prouder of the effort they gave. We came out in the fourth quarter and said.'we're going to win this thing.' Our guys believed, coming back from 21 down. We made plays in the second half on offense and defense."

UC punted after four plays with 7:44 left with an eight point lead. 

Pitt scored on a 56-yard pass up the middle to Desmond Reid, who had 148 yards rushing and 106 yards recieving to put them within two points at 27-25 and went for the two-point conversion for the tie but Eric Phillips sacked Holstein with 5:40 to play but the Bearcats could not run out the clock, and punted with 2:38 left. 

"I'm happy with what I did," Reid said. "But I'm happier for the team to come back like that."

Reid lost two yards from the 20-yard line on the first play of the final drive but Holstein found Reid on an eight-yard pass play. Dontay Corleone stopped Derrick Davis for no gain to create a fourth and four. Cincinnati's defense was flagged for delay of game to give the Panthers a first down.

Holstein scrambled for eight. Reid ran for nine. Holstein found senior Konata Mumpfield for 34 yards to the Bearcat 19. Davis ran for six but Corleone sacked Holstein for a loss of six with the clock down to 23 seconds. Davis gained two yards and Sauls kicked the game winner.

"Eli (Holstein) had a much better second half. You could see some of that happening," Narduzzi said. "We didn't make a ton of adjustments on defense. It was just about making plays."

Holstein made amends for a tough first half.

"First half I was thinking too much, trying to do too much," freshman Holstein said. "They were dropping eight pretty much every play. I tried to do too much. Towards the end of that last drive (of first half) I was doing what the coaches were telling me to do. That's how I started playing the second half."

"The whole first half was on me. I apologized to coach Nuzz. That was on me nobody else."

Cincinnati opened the scoring with a 52-yard scoring pass from Brendan Sorsby to Jamoi Mayes at 7:47 in the first quarter. It was Mayes' first TD receptions. Mayes played four seasons at the University of Chattanooga.

Pittsburgh's drive bogged down at the Cincinnati 29. Ben Sauls kicked a 47-yard field goal for the Panthers first score.

The Bearcats used passes from Sorsby, 34 yards to Xzavier Henderson and 32 yards to Joe Royer to set up a five-yard TD pass to T,ony Johnson.

Plagued by penalties and a near interception that put the Bearcats in a 4th and 23 situation, Carter Brown kicked a 49-yard field goal with 8:11 left in the half for a 17-3 lead. The Bearcats ate seven minutes and 14 seconds off the clock on the drive.

Brown missed a 25-yard field goal attempt that would have stretched the lead to three with 23 seconds in the half.

Sauls connected for 53 yards as time expired to end the half with Cincinnati leading, 17-6.

The Bearcats ended a 10-play, 53-yard drive after 5:13 with a 16-yard TD pass to Joe Royer.  It is his first career touchdown catch. The Beatcats lead expanded to 24-6 with 7:25 left in the third quarter.

Brown's 26-yard field goal with 4:50 left put Cincinnati up by three touchdowns at 27-6.

Eli Holstein answered, leading a 10-play, 75-yard drive over 4:04 with an 11-yard pass after a scramble to Konata Mumpfield  to cut thre Bearcats lead to 27-13 with :46 seconds left in the third quarter. 

Holstein hit Mumpfield again on a fourth and two with a 38-yard scoring pass. The Panthers were denied on a two-point conversion but cut the lead to 27-19 with 10:41 remaining. 

Pittsburgh linebacker, Rasheem Biles dropped Sorsby for a loss on a 3rd and 6 to force Mason Fletcher to punt. Fletcher pinned the Panthers at their own six-yard line with 7:44 to play,

Ty France Beats Astors With A Home Run Paddle His 11th Homer And Hit

 

 

 Ty France homered in the seventh inning as part of a series sweep in which he went 9 for 11, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Houston 1-0 Thursday for its ninth straight win over the Astros.

Rhett Lowder, the seventh overall pick in the 2023 amateur draft, allowed four hits over 6 1/3 innings in his second big league start.

“We knew they were an aggressive team. I had to come out with my best stuff and get them out as fast as possible,” said Lowder, who has allowed just one run in his first 10 1/3 innings. “I feel really good with where my games at right now.”

The 22-year-old right-hander with shoulder-length hair walked four and struck out three.

“There is no question that he’s showing he was prepared to be here and he’s doing it in such a way that shows he knows how to pitch,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He located pitches, great mix, four different pitches. To do it against that team with their lineup is a great experience for him. He will continue to get better.”

Tony Santillan (2-2) induced an inning-ending double play in the seventh and worked around a walk in a hitless eighth. Alexis Díaz pitched a perfect ninth for his 25th save in 29 chances, finishing a four-hitter.

Cincinnati pitched its fifth shutout, tied with the Chicago White Sox for second-fewest in the major leagues behind Colorado with one.

Houston's AL Central lead was cut to five games over Seattle, which played at Oakland later Thursday. The Reds also swept Houston in three-game series in 2019 and 2023.

After Hunter Brown allowed four hits in six innings, Bryan Abreu (2-3) allowed France's 12th home run this season.

“I had a good series in Kansas City but off the top of my head, I can't remember a series like this,” said France who often faced the Astros when he played for Seattle.

Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña had two hits and two big defensive plays. He hopped on second to avoid a sliding Jake Fraley and gloved the toss from second baseman Jose Altuve for an inning-ending forceout in the fourth, then picked up Jonathan India's grounder on the outfield grass in the fifth and made a strong throw on the fly to first baseman Jon Singleton for the out.

Yordan Alvarez was 0 for 4 a day after a 10-game hitting streak ended and was 1 for 11 in the series.

“We had some great fielding plays that kept us in a close game,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “We had some opportunities to score but couldn't get the big hit. It was a grind.”

Astros manager Joe Espada was ejected by plate umpire Brian O'Nora signaled a 1-1 changeup hit Alex Bregman but first base umpire Brennan Miller signaled foul ball, which became the call. While replays showed Bregman was struck on the right arm, a video review ruled the call on the field stood.

Espada came out for a lengthy discussion and returned to the dugout. Then, after Bregman took a full-count pitch for a called third strike, Espada was ejected by O'Nora for apparently yelling from the dugout, his fourth ejection this season.

Reds Score An Astronomical Nine Runs To Ground High Flying Astros

 

 

Jonathan India kick started the Reds in a nine-run first inning to enable the Reds to take the series with a 12-5 rout. The Reds have now beaten the seven time ALCS participants for the eighth straight time.

The Reds roughed up the reigning Rookie of the Month om the American League, Spencer Arrighetti, scoring nine runs in the first inning.

Arrighetti had a no-hitter for seven innings in his last start against the Phildelphia Phillies in his last start and had a string of 14 1/3 scoreless innings. 

That lasted to the second pitch to Jonathan India, who launched his 14th home run and 11th career game opening home run. 

Elly De La Cruz followed with a double. He went to third on Tyler Stephenson's ground out to short. TJ Friedl doubled to score De La Cruz. Spencer Steer lined out to left field. Ty France singled to score Friedl. France was coming off a 4-for-4 game on Monday. His fifth hit in five at bats scored Friedl. Jake Fraley walked. He and France pulled a double steal. Santiago Espinal walked to load the bases. Amed Rosario hit a ground ball up the middle that shortstop, Jermey Pena put a glove on but it trickled into center field for a two-run double. In India's second at bat of the inning, he walked. De La Cruz bounced a single to left to score the sixth and seventh runs. That got Arrighetti out of the game in favor of Tayler Scott. Stephenson singled to score the last two runs. Friedl grounded out to finally end the inning. 

"It was nice to get those nine runs. I was pitching like it was a close game," Martinez said. "It was awesome. I didn't want to let up. I was all gas from the beginning."

The Astros scored off Reds' starter Nick Martinez in the second inning. Alex Bregman, returning from an elbow injury, doubled to open the inning. He waited there for two outs before Ben Gamel singled to score Bregman. 

De La Cruz doubled for his third hit of the game in the third inning. Stephenson recorded his third RBI of the game with a long single to center.

Friedl and Steer hit RBI singles against Forrest Whitely in the fifth inning to stretch the lead to 12-1.

An error by Espinal allowed the Astros to score three unearned run in the sixth inning. Zach Dezenzo hit a two-run single to end the night for Martinez. Chas McCormick singled to score the third run of the inning.

Martinez pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing, four runs, one earned on six hits and three walks. He struck out seven. 

Jon Singleton hit his 13th home run in the seventh.

Brent Suter finished the final 3 1/3 innings for a save. 

"You never relax especially against this team (Astros). Nick has done what we asked him to do all year," David Bell said. "Tonight he threw more pitches than he's thrown all year. He probably got a little tired there at the end. Suter is still making his way back from injury. To not have to get anyone else up and throw that many pitches was big for us. It gives the other guys two days off. 

Reds Beat Justin Verlander To Open Astros Series

 

 

Ty France had four hits to lead the Reds to a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros. It was the seventh consecutive win over the 2022 World Champion.

The Reds scored two runs off future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, who walked the first three batters in the first inning. TJ Friedl's sinking line drive was caught by Jason Heyward as Jonathan India scored. Ty France singled home Elly De La Cruz with the Reds' first hit.

Verlander walked just five batters in his last 33 innings coming into the game.

"I was all over the place in that first inning," Verlander said. "The mechanics not good. The location needed to be better. I made some decent pitches that weren't called but it's hard to get pitches when you're all over the place.Those walks are unacceptable."

Reds' starter Julian Aguiar pitched two hitless innings before walking Jason Heward to start the third. Chas McCormick, who was recalled before the game, hit a ground rule double. With one out Yainer Diaz hit a game tying two-run single. 

Aguiar was pitching on three days rest. He was removed after 2 2/3 innings. Sam Moll took his place.

Verlander struck out Friedl to tie his former teammate Max Scherzer for 10th on baseball's all-time strikout list with 3,405.

The veteran pitcher is trying to reach mid season form after missing six weeks.

"I felt the last few innings especially the last couple were a lot better. In the fifth inning it was a tough pill to swallow. I am trying to be realistic with myself, knowing that I was shut down for awhile. It is going to be difficult to be where you want to be. That's what spring training's for to work out kinks. It is hard to do mid season when everyone else is in mid season form and you're not. It's frustrating," Verlander said. "This is like my third spring training. I told him (Espada) I got this guy. I know it wasn't a hard hit ball but still, when you tell your manager you got the guy and he gets a hit it's frustrating. I'm trying not to kick myself while I'm down."

The Reds scored three runs against Verlander in the fifth inning with two outs. Verlander had stranded seven runners in the first four innings, including four in scoring position. 

France's third hit of the game with two outs started the rally. Jake Fraley singled, sending France to third. Fraley stole second. Santiago Espinal dropped a bloop out of reach of Jose Altuve to score two. Espinal stole second and scored on Amed Rosario's second hit of the game.

"He made a good pitch to Espinal and a little flair to right field. He's earned the right to finish that inning. It just didn't go his way," Espada said.

Yordan Alverez hit a ground rule double with Altuve on first to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Emilio Pagan relieved Spiers with Diaz representing the tying run. Diaz flied out to deep center to score Altuve. Jeremy Pena struck out to strand Alvarez stranded.

"We had a shot there in the sixth," Houston manager, Joe Espada said. "We couldn't get a big hit. We have to put this behind us and have an off-day tomorrow, that we're all looking forward to."

Verlander pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and four walks. He struck  out three.

Carson Spiers allowed one run on three hits and three walks to become the pitcher of record. 

Pagan left the game with two outs with and Alvarez due up as the tying run. Justin Wilson got Alvarez to fly out to earn the save.

Reds Avoid Sweep With 11-inning Walk Off Win

 

 

Santiago Espinal drove in designated runner Reece Hinds in from third with an infield hit off Bryse Wilson' glove to give the Reds a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Espinal was a pinch hitter for Noelvi Marte.

"In that situation, it has nothing to do with Noelvi not hitting," David Bell said. "Espy and his skill set in that spot is exactly what you need. He's been so good for a couple months. He puts the ball in play. That's what you need in that spot."

The 11th inning walkoff win helped the Reds salvage the last game of the four-game series, that included two extra inning games. A third game was decided by a ninth inning home run.

The  National League Central Division leader's five-game winning streak was snapped at five.

Brandon Williamson returned from a season-long shoulder injury to make his first big league start of the year against the Brewers.

The Reds got three singles in the first inning but failed to score because Jonathan India was picked off second by Gary Sanchez. Tyler Stephenson and TJ Friedl singled but were stranded.

Jake Fraley came off the injured list and hit a home run off Tobias Myers on his first swing. It was his fourth home run of the season. Amed Rosario singled and stole second. He went to third on a throwing error by Sanchez.He scored on a when Jackson Chourio made a diving catch of India's low line drive.

Willy Adames hit his 28th home run, leading off the fourth inning. He homered in all fouir games of the series. The 19th of his career against the Reds.

Williamson pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing four hit, including Adames' game-tying home run, He didn't walk a batter and struck out five.

India opened the fifth with a single. Elly De La Cruz doubled down the line at first. Friedl hit a sacrifice fly to right to tie the game at 3-3.

India had three hits and kept the Brewers from scoring in 10th with a throw to the plate. It made up for getting picked off in the first inning.

"It was a solid game," India said. "We always play them like this, a lot of one-run games. Tie games going into the ninth, it was good to finally get one. We have to figure them out for next year. We have to finish strong and get ready for next year.

"I take pride in my base running, I made a mistake," India said.

Myers left with runners on second and third with two outs in the sixth. Will Benson walked and India's third hit of the game was a double over the head of left fielder, Chourio. Jared Koenig came on to face De La Cruz.  He flied out to deep center.

Brent Suter, just off the IL pitched two scoreless innings.

Suter returned for the 10th with Andruw Monasterio was the designated runner.. India threw Monasterio out at home on Brice Turang's ground ball. Suter completed the inning inducing a pop up from Chourio.

Bryse Wilson kept the Reds from scoring in the 10th.

Alexis Diaz cme into to the 11th inning with Chourio on second. Diaz retired the heart of the Brewers order to prevent the Brewers from scoring it the 11th to pick up the win.