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Tag: Ohio Cincinnati Reds

  • Reds sign Nathaniel Lowe to a minor league deal

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    GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cincinnati Reds signed veteran first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to a minor league contract with an invite to major league camp in spring training, the team announced Saturday.

    The 30-year-old Lowe split time between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox last season. He struggled with the Nationals but played well for the Red Sox down the stretch, batting .280 with two homers and 16 RBIs over 100 at-bats.

    According to MLB.com, if Lowe makes the club out of camp, he would earn $1.75 million this season with a chance to reach $2 million with performance bonuses.

    Lowe won a World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023 and hit a career-high 27 homers in 2022.

    He has a .264 average and 107 homers over a seven-year career with the Rangers, Nationals, Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Dune of Dreams: Baseball league in Dubai begins with novel rules and camels

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    UD AL-BAYDA, United Arab Emirates — Emerging from the shimmering heat in the desert outskirts of Dubai is an unfamiliar sight in the Middle East, a baseball field.

    Now that it’s built, though, one question remains: Will the fans come?

    What You Need To Know

    • Baseball United has launched its inaugural season in Dubai, aiming to bring baseball to the Middle East

    • The league featuring four teams kicked off on Friday at the new Barry Larkin Field

    • The Mumbai Cobras faced the Karachi Monarchs, drawing on the sporting rivalry between India and Pakistan and the large number of expatriates in the Emirates
    • The league introduces novel rules to speed up games and attract fans. All games will be at the stadium in Dubai’s desert, with environmental concerns leading to an artificial field. Baseball United hopes to capture interest in a region dominated by soccer and cricket

    That’s the challenge for the inaugural season of Baseball United, a four-team, monthlong contest that began Friday at the new Barry Larkin Field.

    Its named for an investor who is a former Cincinnati Reds shortstop, has the exact dimensions of the field at Yankee Stadium in New York, and is artificially turfed for the broiling sun of the United Arab Emirates.

    The professional league seeks to draw on the sporting rivalry between India and Pakistan and their large number of expatriates in the Emirates. On Friday, the Mumbai Cobras played the Karachi Monarchs. Each team has Indian and Pakistani players seeking to break into the broadcast market saturated by soccer and cricket in this part of the world.

    And while having no big-name players from Major League Baseball, the league has created some of novel rules to speed up games and put more runs on the board — and potentially generate interest for U.S. fans as the regular season there has ended.

    “People here have got to learn the rules anyway so if we get to start at a blank canvas then why don’t we introduce some new rules that we believe are going to excite them from the onset,” Baseball United CEO and co-owner Kash Shaikh told The Associated Press.

    The dune of dreams

    The season ends in mid-December and all games will be played at Baseball United’s stadium in an area known as Ud al-Bayda, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The stadium sits alongside The Sevens Stadium, which hosts an annual rugby sevens tournament known for hard-partying fans drinking restricted alcohol and wearing costumes.

    The field seats some 3,000 fans and will host games mostly at night, though the weather is starting to cool in the Emirates as the season changes. But environmental concerns have been kept in mind — Baseball United went for an artificial field to avoid the challenge of using more than 45 million liters (12 million gallons) of water a year to maintain a natural grass field, said John P. Miedreich, a co-founder and executive vice president at the league.

    “We had to airlift clay in from the United States, airlift clay from Pakistan” for the pitcher’s mound, he added.

    Beside the Cobras and the Monarchs, the inaugural league also features the Arabia Wolves of Dubai and the Mideast Falcons from Abu Dhabi.

    The changes to the traditional game in Baseball United put a different spin on the game similar to how Twenty20 drastically sped up traditional cricket. The baseball league has introduced a golden “moneyball” which gives managers three chances in a game to use an at bat to double the runs scored off a home run. A similar “fireball” automatically ends an inning if a pitcher strikes out a batter.

    Teams can call in “designated runners” three times during a game. And if a game is tied after nine innings the teams face off in a home run derby to decide the winner.

    “It’s entertainment, and it’s exciting, and it’s helping get new fans and young fans more engaged in the game,” Shaikh said.

    America’s pastime has limited success

    Baseball in the Middle East has had mixed success, to put a positive spin on the ball.

    American supporters launched the professional Israel Baseball League in 2007, comprised almost entirely of foreign players. However, it folded after one season. Americans spread the game in prerevolution Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the decades, though it has been dwarfed by soccer. Saudi Arabia, through the Americans at its oil company Aramco, has sent teams to the Little League World Series.

    But soccer remains a favorite in the Mideast, which hosted the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Then there’s cricket, the biggest sporting passion in India and Pakistan. The International Cricket Council, the world governing body, has its headquarters in Dubai near the city’s cricket stadium.

    Organizers know they have their work cut out for them. At one point during a news conference Thursday they went over baseball basics — home runs, organ music and where center field sits.

    “The most important part is the experience for fans to come out, eat a hot dog, see mascots running around, to see what baseball traditions that we all grew up with back home in the U.S. — and start to fall in love with the game because we know that once they start to learn those, they will become big fans,” Shaikh said.

    Opening Night with bullpen camels

    On Friday night, attracting fans to the stadium appeared to be a challenge as laborers on buses filled one section of seats after being given a free Karachi Monarchs shirt, snacks and water.

    Still, they cheered along with other more experienced, somewhat inebriated baseball fans and filmed selfies as cheerleaders performed between innings. Beers on tap cost over $13, expensive for a laborers’ salary, which can be just a few hundred dollars a month.

    The game’s first pitch saw Monarchs batter Pavin Parks hit a home run. “Fireballs” saw the top and the bottom of the seventh and the top of the eighth end with one strikeout, speeding along a game as the crowd thinned. Parks hit a ninth inning “moneyball” home run, the game’s first. The Monarchs won 6-4.

    In a nod to its desert environs, the starting pitchers for each team came into the game on camels.

    “Thirty years in the game and I’ve never seen a camel in the bullpen,” Monarchs pitching coach Frank Gonzales said. “I kind of like it though.”

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Reds have put themselves in position to keep the Mets out of the playoffs

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    MILWAUKEE — The Cincinnati Reds have put themselves in position to earn their first playoff berth since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season while keeping the free-spending New York Mets out of the postseason.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Cincinnati Reds have put themselves in position to earn their first playoff berth since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season while keeping the free-spending New York Mets out of the postseason

    • Cincinnati’s 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers and New York’s 6-2 loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday enabled the Reds to tie the Mets for the National League’s third and final wild-card playoff berth

    • The Reds own the head-to-head tiebreaker over New York. The Mets’ $322.6 million payroll at the start of the season led all MLB teams

    Cincinnati’s 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers and New York’s 6-2 loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday enabled the Reds to tie the Mets for the National League’s third and final wild-card playoff berth. The Reds own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Mets, whose $322.6 million payroll at the start of the season led all MLB teams.

    The Arizona Diamondbacks were eliminated from contention for that final wild-card berth with their 7-4 loss to the San Diego Padres.

    “Obviously I think we can start to feel it a little bit, but at the same time, we’ve got to take care of business,” Cincinnati’s Gavin Lux said. “We’re not there yet still. We’ve just got to keep trying to win every pitch and take it game by game. We all know how fast things can change.”

    Cincinnati hasn’t been more than seven games above .500 at any point this season and has gone just 15-18 over its last 33 games. Yet the Reds have still played well enough to catch the Mets, who have lost 16 of their last 25 games.

    The Mets were 45-24 and had the best record in the majors on June 12, but they’ve gone 37-54 since.

    “We’ve put ourselves in this position,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters after their Friday night loss in Miami. “Here we are. We’ve got to come back tomorrow and the next day now. We’ve got to win the next two and see what happens.”

    The Reds (82-78) are seeking to make the playoffs in a non-pandemic season for the first time since 2013. They haven’t won a postseason game since 2012 and haven’t won a playoff series since 1995.

    They finally might get back to the postseason with help from guys who are accustomed to this stage.

    Lux, who won World Series rings with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and 2024, doubled twice and scored the go-ahead run Friday. Reds manager Terry Francona led the Boston Red Sox to a 2004 World Series championship and brought Cleveland to Game 7 of the 2016 Fall Classic.

    The 66-year-old Francona spent a year away from the game for health reasons before taking over the Reds this season.

    “This is as exciting as it gets,” Francona said. “To not admit that you’re nervous, I think that would be wrong. I’m nervous as hell.”

    The Reds’ path to a rare postseason bid means getting past their recent nemesis.

    Cincinnati has lost each of its last 13 series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Ending that streak just might catapult the Reds into the playoffs.

    “It’d be kind of the perfect time to do it,” Reds reliever Tony Santillan said. “Season on the line, beat them, win against them and advance to the postseason by beating them. I feel like it’s been a while.”

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Spencer Steer hits 2 of the Reds’ 5 homers in a 7-4 win over the Cubs

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    CINCINNATI — Spencer Steer hit two of Cincinnati’s season-high five homers as the Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 7-4 on Friday night to keep pace in the National League wild-card race.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 7-4 Friday night

    • Cincinnati remained two games behind the New York Mets for the final wild-card spot

    • Cubs RHP Javier Assad and Reds RHP Zack Littell will start on Saturday

    The Reds (78-76) remained two games behind the New York Mets, who beat Washington on Friday night, for the final wild-card spot. The Cubs have the top wild-card spot and have already clinched a playoff berth.

    Steer’s two-run homer in the sixth inning off Porter Hodge (2-2) broke a 4-all tie, and Elly De La Cruz took Hodge deep on the next pitch. It was each player’s 20th homer of the season.

    The Reds hit their other three homers off Shota Imanaga. Miguel Andujar went deep in the first inning, Matt McLain in the third and Steer in the fourth.

    Dansby Swanson hit his 23rd homer of the season in the second for the Cubs. Matt Shaw added a two-run shot in the fourth, but the Cubs didn’t score again.

    Connor Phillips (1-0) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Nick Lodolo, who gave up four runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. Emilio Pagan pitched the ninth for his 28th save.

    Key moment

    Seiya Suzuki attempted to score from first on Carson Kelly’s single to the left-center field gap, but was thrown out easily at home on a relay by De La Cruz to end the first inning.

    Key stat

    De La Cruz’s homer was his first since July 31 and snapped his career-long homerless streak at 43 games.

    Up next

    Cubs RHP Javier Assad (3-1, 4.23 ERA) and Reds RHP Zack Littell (9-8, 3.86) will start on Saturday.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Kurtz hits 493-foot grand slam as Athletics beat Reds 11-5

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    WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Nick Kurtz launched a 493-foot grand slam — the longest home run in the majors this season — and the Athletics hammered Hunter Greene early in an 11-5 victory Saturday night over the Cincinnati Reds.

    What You Need To Know

    • Brent Rooker also went deep and rookie Carlos Cortes hit a two-run shot for his third homer in two games

    • Greene, an All-Star last year, was tagged for five runs, four hits and four walks over 2 1/3 ineffective innings
    • Tyler Stephenson’s three-run homer for Cincinnati tied it 5-all in the fourth

    Brent Rooker also went deep and rookie Carlos Cortes hit a two-run shot for his third homer in two games as the Athletics handed Cincinnati another costly loss. Jacob Wilson provided a pair of RBI doubles.

    Greene, an All-Star last year, was tagged for five runs, four hits and four walks over 2 1/3 ineffective innings, raising his ERA from 2.59 to 3.01.

    With a chance to gain ground in a crowded wild-card race, the Reds (74-74) lost their second consecutive game to the Athletics (69-80) and remained 1 1/2 games behind the skidding New York Mets for the final National League playoff spot.

    San Francisco is a half-game back of the Mets.

    Tyler Stephenson’s three-run homer for Cincinnati tied it 5-all in the fourth. Wilson put the A’s back ahead with an RBI double in the seventh, Lawrence Butler added a run-scoring single in the eighth and Kurtz sent a 2-2 fastball from Scott Barlow soaring over the high batter’s eye in straightaway center field to make it 11-5.

    It was the 31st homer for Kurtz, a rookie slugger who hit four in one game earlier this season.

    Brady Basso (1-0) retired the side in order on six pitches in the seventh for his second big league win.

    Key moment

    Reds reliever Nick Martinez (10-13) gave up a leadoff double to Shea Langeliers in the seventh and walked Rooker with one out before Wilson doubled off Graham Ashcraft to give the Athletics a 6-5 lead.

    Key stat

    Kurtz’s 493-foot drive was the longest by an A’s player since Statcast tracking began in 2015. It surpassed Mike Trout’s 484-foot homer April 19 with the Angels for the longest in the majors this year.

    Up next

    Reds LHP Nick Lodolo (8-7, 3.10 ERA) pitches against RHP Luis Morales (3-1, 2.73) in the series finale Sunday.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Athletics beat Reds 3-0 as Carlos Cortes hits 2 homers

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    WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Carlos Cortes hit a pair of solo home runs, Lawrence Butler led off with a homer and the Athletics beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night after A’s starter J.T. Ginn left in the fifth inning with an injury.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Athletics beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 Friday night

    • Carlos Cortes managed to hit a pair of solo home runs

    • Athletics RHP Luis Severino will start Saturday opposite Reds RHP Hunter Greene

    Butler hit his 20th homer on Brady Singer’s third pitch to give the Athletics the lead. Cortes hit Singer’s second pitch in the third to center field for a 2-0 lead and the rookie then homered off Chase Burns in the eighth.

    Ginn left after an apparent leg injury in the fifth. He issued back-to-back walks to TJ Friedl and Gavin Lux before leaving with Elly De La Cruz at the plate. Tyler Ferguson retired De La Cruz on a soft liner and then fanned Austin Hays.

    Ferguson (4-2) struck out three in 1 2/3 innings. Sean Newcomb struck out the side in the ninth for his fourth career save and second this season.

    Singer (13-10) gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in six innings. Burns made his first appearance in five weeks after suffering a right flexor strain.

    De La Cruz had a third-inning single before stealing his 35th base to join Delino DeShields (1990-92 with the Expos), Vince Coleman (1985-87 with the Cardinals) and Bert Daniels (1910-12 with the Yankees) as the only players to reach 35 in each of their first three seasons.

    The Reds missed a chance to pull within a half-game of the Mets for the final NL wild card.

    Key moment

    Ginn struck out Spencer Steer, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Matt McLain to strand Will Benson after his leadoff triple in the second.

    Key stat

    The Reds were 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position and had the leadoff man on base in six of nine innings.

    Up next

    Athletics RHP Luis Severino (6-11, 4.67 ERA) will start Saturday opposite Reds RHP Hunter Greene (6-4, 2.59).

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Sal Stewart’s first major league homer powers Reds past Mets 6-3

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    CINCINNATI — Sal Stewart hit his first major league home run, Brady Singer extended his winning streak to four and the Cincinnati Reds defeated the New York Mets 6-3 on Saturday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Reds lost to the Mets 5-4 Friday

    • Cincinnati has lost 11 of 14

    • Prized prospect Jonah Tong makes his second major league start Saturday night for the Mets against Reds right-hander Brady Singer

    Matt McLain and Austin Hays also went deep for the Reds, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Even with the win, Cincinnati (71-71) is five games back for the final NL wild-card spot.

    Jared Young homered for the Mets and Francisco Lindor added three hits.

    Cincinnati’s TJ Friedl had an RBI base hit with the bases loaded in the seventh inning to extend his on-base streak to a career-high 16 games.

    Singer (13-9) went six innings and allowed one run on four hits.

    With Spencer Steer on first base, Stewart drove a fastball from Mets starter Jonah Tong over the center-field wall to put the Reds up 2-0 in the second inning.

    Stewart was called up from Triple-A on Monday when rosters were expanded. The 21-year-old infielder was playing his fourth game and got his first start at third base.

    Tong (1-1) was making his second career start and allowed three hits and four runs, all on homers.

    Bench coach Freddie Benavides managed the Reds after Terry Francona fell ill with a flu-like bug that has affected many on the team.

    Key moment

    Elly De La Cruz drew a walk with the bases loaded with two out in the seventh inning. That brought in Jose Trevino and extended the Reds’ lead to 6-2.

    Key stat

    Singer has gone 5-1 with a 2.27 ERA in six starts since Aug. 1. The right-hander has 44 strikeouts, 13 walks and is holding opponents to a .207 batting average in that span.

    Up next

    Mets RHP Brandon Sproat will make his big league debut. Reds RHP Hunter Greene (5-4, 2.70 ERA) makes his fifth start since coming off the injured list for the second time.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Díaz escapes in 9th inning as Mets hang on to beat Reds 5-4

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    CINCINNATI — Mark Vientos homered and Edwin Díaz escaped a major jam in the ninth inning as the New York Mets held off the fading Cincinnati Reds 5-4 on Friday night in the opener of a pivotal three-game series.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Reds lost to the Mets 5-4 Friday

    • Cincinnati has lost 11 of 14

    • Prized prospect Jonah Tong makes his second major league start Saturday night for the Mets against Reds right-hander Brady Singer

    Cincinnati (70-71) fell six games behind the Mets for the last National League wild card with 21 remaining. New York leads San Francisco by four games for the final playoff spot.

    Vientos drove in two runs and scored two more to help the Mets win for the seventh time in 11 games. Francisco Lindor drew three walks in the leadoff spot and also scored twice.

    Díaz entered in the ninth and allowed a single to Ke’Bryan Hayes before walking the next two batters to load the bases with nobody out. But the All-Star closer struck out Noelvi Marte and Elly De La Cruz, then got Gavin Lux to ground out to second for his 26th save.

    In the middle of it all, Díaz called to the dugout for a new pair of spikes and changed shoes right there on the field.

    Cincinnati has lost 11 of 14.

    The Mets scored all their runs in the first four innings off starter Andrew Abbott (8-6). Consecutive doubles by Lindor and Juan Soto made it 5-1 in the fourth.

    Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, just off the injured list, slammed a two-run double in the bottom half and raced home on Hayes’ sacrifice fly to cut it to 5-4.

    David Peterson (9-5) allowed four runs and seven hits through 5 1/3 innings. New York’s bullpen shut out the Reds the rest of the way.

    Key moment

    Vientos led off the third with his 16th homer to give the Mets a 4-0 lead. He also knocked in a run with an infield single in a three-run first.

    Key stat

    Cincinnati went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Matt McLain struck out with the bases loaded to end the sixth.

    Up next

    Prized prospect Jonah Tong (1-0, 1.80 ERA) makes his second major league start Saturday night for the Mets against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (12-9, 4.08).

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Statue of iconic Reds sportscaster to be unveiled

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    OHIO — For more than four decades he was known as The Voice of the Reds, and he brought passion, energy and storytelling to the airwaves unlike any other.

    Marty Brennaman has become an icon in Cincinnati, and this weekend a bronze statue will be unveiled at Great American Ballpark to honor his legacy. 

    What You Need To Know

    • A statue honoring Marty Brennaman is being unveiled at Great American Ballpark this weekend

    • Spectrum News 1 spoke with Brennaman about his love for the game

    • The statue unveiling and dedication is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, with on-field ceremonies scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

    Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel have issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 as “Marty Brennaman Day” in Ohio.

    Spectrum News 1 had the opportunity to speak with Brennaman about his love for the game and what it means to him to secure a lasting place in Cincinnati’s history.

    For Marty Brennaman, every night brought unique challenges and served as a chance to see something new. 

    “This is the hardest sport of all to do because nothing happens until the pitcher throws the ball and you can’t sit there for 25 seconds and not say anything,” Brennaman said.

    It’s an art form he mastered, but believe it or not, in the beginning the Virginia native never aspired to be a big league baseball broadcaster.

    Despite working Spring training games, nothing was like April 4, 1974.  

    “Nothing down there in Florida prepared me for working game 1 with 55,000 people at Riverfront stadium. I was awed by the crowd,” he said.

    The feeling stuck, and over the years he’s witnessed history from the broadcast booth. 

    “I was blessed to have so many great events, and I was at the microphone,” Brennaman said. “Pete Rose’s record breaking hit, Tom Browning’s perfect game, back in ’79 the only new hitter that Tom Seaver ever pitched in his big league career, and he’s one of the great pitchers of all time.”

    “His ability to tell the story, to describe the action on the field, is unparalleled. What he’s been able to do for Reds fans for 46 years, bringing the game to your living rooms, to your automobiles, your backyards, and just wherever you were you could feel part of the game. That’s what made him so special, and I think why people revere him so much,” said Reds Hall of Fame Executive Director Rick Walls. 

    “I’m as equally stunned today as I was when Rick Walls told me back in March that the next one was going to be yours and we were going to dedicate it and unveil it on September the 6th of this year,” Brennaman said. “I’m still having a hard time coming to grips with it.”

    Over the decades, he’s watched baseball change and the city that become home. 

    “Once they determine that you’re one of them, they will go to bat for you, and they will love you, and they will do whatever they can for you, but you, in turn, need to show how you feel,” Brennaman said.

    “In the community, he has been a great ambassador for this team, and for the club and raised money for so many worthy charities, whether it’s the Reds Hall of Fame or the Reds Community fund, he’s always been there,” Walls said. 

    It’s not just about the 46 years behind the mic.  

    “I can’t imagine living anywhere where I could have been happier than Cincinnati Ohio. I love this city with a passion and the people here. There’s nobody that’s had a better career with a greater outcome that I had in all the years I did Reds baseball in this city,” he said.

    In his retirement at age 83, Brennaman enjoys spending time with his wife and seeing broadway shows and traveling. 

    The statue unveiling and dedication is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, prior to the Reds vs. Mets game at Great American Ball Park.

    On-field ceremonies are scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

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    Alese Underwood

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  • Contreras and Pagés go deep to back McGreevy as Cardinals top reeling Reds 4-2

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    CINCINNATI — Willson Contreras and Pedro Pagés homered to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the skidding Cincinnati Reds 4-2 on Saturday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Reds lost to the Cardinals 7-5 on Friday



    • De La Cruz doubled, tripled and scored twice for the Reds



    • The Reds will send LHP Andrew Abbott against Cardinals RHP Michael McGreevy on Saturday night


    Cincinnati (68-68) has lost five straight and eight of nine, leaving the Reds five games behind the New York Mets for the final National League wild card.

    Michael McGreevy (6-2) pitched six strong innings for the Cardinals (68-69), who won their third in a row. He allowed one run and five hits with two walks and no strikeouts.

    Kyle Leahy got four outs for his second major league save and first this season. He gave up back-to-back singles to begin the ninth, then retired three consecutive batters to end it.

    The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the first when Elly De La Cruz singled and scored on Gavin Lux’s double.

    Andrew Abbott (8-5) issued two walks and hit a batter with a pitch, loading the bases with two outs in the fourth. Nathan Church’s two-run single put the Cardinals ahead 2-1.

    Abbott, who allowed a season-high six earned runs in his previous start, gave up two runs in five innings this time. He walked four and struck out seven.

    Contreras connected off Connor Phillips to make it 3-1 in the seventh with his 20th home run.

    Pagés’ 11th of the season off Zach Maxwell made it 4-2 in the eighth.

    Matt McLain hit a solo homer for the Reds in the seventh, his first since July 18 against the Mets at Citi Field.

    Key moment

    The Reds escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning on a strange play. With one out, Jordan Walker’s pop fly landed near Abbott. The infield-fly rule was invoked and, after some hesitation by the St. Louis runners, Iván Herrera broke for home. He was thrown out by McLain, the second baseman, to end the inning.

    Key stat

    The Reds have scored 97 runs in August, second-fewest in the majors behind Cleveland.

    Up next

    Cardinals RHP Andre Pallante (6-12, 5.44 ERA) opposes RHP Brady Singer (11-9, 4.06) in the series finale Sunday.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Cardinals take advantage of De La Cruz’s error in 10th for 7-5 win over Reds

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    CINCINNATI — Masyn Winn drove in three runs, Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés each homered, and the St. Louis Cardinals took advantage of Elly De La Cruz’s throwing error in the 10th inning to beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-5 on Friday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Reds lost to the Cardinals 7-5 Friday

    • De La Cruz doubled, tripled and scored twice for the Reds

    • The Reds will send LHP Andrew Abbott against Cardinals RHP Michael McGreevy on Saturday night

    With the game tied at 5, Willson Contreras hit a grounder off Tony Santillan (1-5) to De La Cruz and the shortstop bounced his throw to Spencer Steer, who couldn’t handle it at first base and allowed Nathan Church to score the go-ahead run. It was De La Cruz’s 22nd error, the most in baseball.

    Winn drove in Contreras two batters later to make it 7-5.

    Matt Svanson (3-0) got the win. Ryan Fernandez got three outs, including De La Cruz on a strikeout to end the game, for his first save of the season.

    De La Cruz doubled, tripled and scored twice for the Reds, who lost their fourth in a row. Ke’Bryan Hayes’ solo homer in the eighth tied it at 5 for Cincinnati. Steer and Noelvi Marte homered earlier.

    Reds starter Zach Littell allowed four runs in the first three innings, then retired 14 consecutive batters.

    Key moment

    Steer couldn’t hold onto the bouncing throw from De La Cruz in the 10th, allowing a run to score on a what would have been the end of the inning.

    Key stat

    Hayes’ tying home run in the eighth was just his fifth of the season. In 26 games since being traded to the Reds, he has three homers. He had two in 100 games with Pittsburgh this season.

    Up next

    The Reds will send LHP Andrew Abbott (8-4, 2.62 ERA) against Cardinals RHP Michael McGreevy (5-2, 4.43 ERA) on Saturday night.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Arizona Diamondbacks rout the Cincinnati Reds 10-1

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    PHOENIX (AP) — Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Geraldo Perdomo each homered and drove in three runs, Blaze Alexander also hit a home run and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Cincinnati Reds 10-1 on Saturday night.

    A night after singling in the winning run in the 11th inning in Arizona’s 6-5 victory, Gurriel opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first inning — his 18th of the season.

    Perdomo made it 7-0 in the fourth with his 14th homer — a two-run shot — and added an RBI single in the eighth to help the Diamondbacks win their fourth straight game.

    Alexander hit a solo home run in the fifth.

    Arizona catcher Gabriel Moreno was 2 for 4 with an RBI in his second game back after missing more than two months because of a broken finger. He homered in his return Friday night.

    Jalen Beeks pitched the first inning for Arizona, Nabil Crismatt (1-0) worked the next four and Jake Woodford threw the last four for his first save.

    Cincinnati ace Andrew Abbott (8-4) allowed a season-high seven runs — six earned — in four innings.

    Austin Hays had an RBI single for the Reds in the eighth. Cincinnati has lost three in a row.

    Key moment

     

    Alexander had an RBI double for Arizona’s fourth consecutive hit and third double in the first inning. It made it 3-0.

    Key stat

    Perdomo leads major league shortstops with 84 RBIs.

    Up next

    Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (9-13, 5.28 ERA) was set to start opposite RHP Brady Singer (11-9, 4.18) on Sunday in the series finale.

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  • Max Meyer strikes out a career-high 14 to lead Marlins over Reds 6-3

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    MIAMI — Max Meyer struck out a career-high 14 in six scoreless innings, pinch-hitter Kyle Stowers had a three-run homer in the seventh and the Miami Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-3 on Monday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Nick Lodolo (2-2) allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings

    • Meyer tied for the third-most strikeouts in Marlins history

    • The teams meet again on Tuesday

    Meyer struck out the side in the sixth and walked into the dugout to a standing ovation with Miami’s first double-digit strikeout game since last June 1.

    Meyer (2-2) allowed five hits and walked none, lowering his ERA to 2.10. His previous strikeout high was eight strikeouts.

    Jesús Tinoco got three straight outs for his second save as the Marlins won their second straight following a five-game losing streak.

    Nick Lodolo (2-2) allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

    Jesús Sánchez hit a run-scoring single in the second for his first RBI this season and Ronny Simon following with another run-scoring single.

    Eric Wagaman hit his third home run this season for in the fifth, a 407-foot shot just over the glove of leaping center fielder TJ Friedl.

    Gavin Lux hit his first home run this season, a two-run drive off Tyler Phillips in the eighth.

    Key moment

    Agustín Ramírez and Simo got their first major league hits in the second inning. Ramírez had an infield single and later scored on Simon’s single to center. Ramírez followed Stowers’ homer with a double and he took third for his first big league steal.

    Key stat

    Meyer tied for the third-most strikeouts in Marlins history behind Ricky Nolasco’s 16 against Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2009, and Liván Hernández’s 15 vs. the Braves in Game 5 of the 1997 NL Championship Series.

    Up next

    Miami RHP Edward Cabrera (0-1, 6.52 ERA), who began the season on the IL with a right middle finger blister, is set to make his third start of the season on Tuesday against Cincinnati RHP Nick Martinez (0-3, 6.00 ERA).

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  • Martinez, Junis decline options as Maile, France and Martini become free agents

    Martinez, Junis decline options as Maile, France and Martini become free agents

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    CINCINNATI (AP) — Right-handers Nick Martinez and Jakob Junis declined 2025 options with the Cincinnati Reds, who turned down their option on catcher Luke Maile on Friday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Both Nick Martinez and Jakob Junis declined 2025 options with the Cincinnati Reds

    • Brent Suter returned to Cincinnati on a $2.5 million, one-year contract

    • Martinez agreed in December to a $14 million, one-year contract that included a $12 million player option

    • Junis, 32, reached a deal in February with Milwaukee that called for a $4 million salary in 2024 and included an $8 million mutual option with a $3 million buyout

    In addition, first baseman Ty France and outfielder Nick Martini became free agents when they refused outright assignments to Triple-A Louisville.

    Brent Suter returned to Cincinnati on a $2.5 million, one-year contract. The left-hander’s deal includes a 2026 option worth $3 million with a $250,000 buyout, and he can earn an additional $200,000 in performance bonuses.

    Suter, who lives in Cincinnati, went 1-0 with a 3.15 ERA and two saves in 47 appearances with the Reds this year.

    Right-hander Tejay Antone, coming off his third elbow surgery, accepted an outright assignment to the Bats. Catcher Austin Wynns also was assigned outright to Louisville. Both were activated from the 60-day injured list.

    Martinez agreed in December to a $14 million, one-year contract that included a $12 million player option. The 34-year-old left-hander was 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 16 starts and 26 relief appearances, striking out 116 and walking 18 in 142 1/3 innings.

    He is 37-45 with a 4.09 ERA in seven seasons with Texas (2014-17), San Diego (2022-23) and Cincinnati. Martinez spent 2018-21 pitching in Japan.

    Junis, 32, reached a deal in February with Milwaukee that called for a $4 million salary in 2024 and included an $8 million mutual option with a $3 million buyout.

    He was acquired by the Reds on July 30 in a trade that sent Frankie Montas to the Brewers and had a 2.85 ERA in five starts and nine relief appearances for Cincinnati. Junis finished the season 4-0 with a 2.69 ERA in six starts and 18 relief outings. After making his first appearance on April 2, Junis was out until June 22 because of a right shoulder impingement.

    Junis is 42-45 with a 4.48 ERA in eight seasons with Kansas City (2017-21), San Francisco (2022-23), Milwaukee and Cincinnati.

    Maile had a $3 million salary this year as part of a deal that included a $3.5 million team option with a $500,000 buyout. The 33-year-old hit .178 with two homers and eight RBIs in 135 at-bats over 53 games. A nine-year big league veteran, he has a .208 average with 21 homers and 113 RBIs for Tampa Bay (2015-16), Toronto (2017-19), Milwaukee (2021), Cleveland (2022) and Cincinnati (2023-24).

    France hit .251 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 179 at-bats over 52 games with the Reds, who acquired the 30-year-old from Seattle on July 29 for catcher Andruw Salcedo. Seattle agreed to send $1,294,758 to the Reds as part of the trade, offsetting part of France’s $6,775,000 salary.

    Martini batted .212 with five homers and 24 RBIs in 52 games. The 34-year-old homered twice and had five RBIs on opening day against Washington.

    Antone, a 30-year-old right-hander, made four appearances, then had season-ending surgery to repair a tendon and ligament in his right arm. He had Tommy John surgery in April 2017 and August 2021.

    Cincinnati also said right-hander Christian Roa had been claimed off waivers from Miami. The 25-year-old, a second-round draft pick in 2020, was 4-4 with a 5.55 ERA in four starts and 19 relief appearances for Louisville.

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  • Cincinnati Reds hiring Terry Francona as manager

    Cincinnati Reds hiring Terry Francona as manager

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    Terry Francona needed some time away from baseball. A year was long enough.

    What You Need To Know

    • One of baseball’s most beloved managers, Francona has been hired by the Cincinnati Reds, returning to a team he played for after stepping down in Cleveland following last season because of health reasons

    • Francona, who won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, is replacing David Bell, fired by the Reds last month in the final days of his sixth season

    • Francona has a 1,950-1,672 record in 23 years as a big-league manager with Philadelphia (1997-2000), the Red Sox (2004-2011) and Guardians (2013-2023)

    One of baseball’s most beloved managers, Francona has been hired by the Cincinnati Reds, returning to a team he played for after stepping down in Cleveland following last season because of health reasons.

    A person familiar with the situation confirmed the move to The Associated Press on Thursday night on condition of anonymity because the Reds had not announced the decision. An announcement could come later this week.

    Francona, who won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, is replacing David Bell, fired by the Reds last month in the final days of his sixth season. Bell went 409-456 during his tenure.

    Francona, who turns 66 in April, played as an outfielder for Cincinnati in 1987. He hit .227 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 102 games.

    It’s easy to see the appeal of the situation for both Francona and Cincinnati. The Reds went 77-85 this year, but they have one of the game’s most dynamic players in Elly De La Cruz and a potentially deep rotation — fronted by Hunter Greene.

    Francona helped All-Star third baseman José Ramírez become one of baseball’s best all-around players in Cleveland, and he should have no problem commanding the attention of Cincinnati’s young roster.

    After leaving the Guardians, Francona, a three-time AL Manager of the Year, spent time at his new home in Arizona and mostly kept a low profile other than attending basketball games at his alma mater in Tucson. He returned to Cleveland briefly during the summer to help launch a new restaurant in which he has an ownership stake.

    Francona has a 1,950-1,672 record in 23 years as a big-league manager with Philadelphia (1997-2000), the Red Sox (2004-2011) and Guardians (2013-2023).

    He was slowed by serious medical issues in his final years in Cleveland, but stayed clear of calling his departure a retirement.

    “I never was real concerned about the word retire,” he said last year. “I guess when you say retire, it’s like, well, you’re going home and not doing anything. Don’t feel that way either. We’ll figure something out that makes sense.”

    He found that something on the other side of Ohio.

    With 1,950 wins, he’s 13th on the career list, sandwiched by Casey Stengel (1,905) and Leo Durocher (2,008), two other colorful managers who like Francona endeared themselves to fans and players.

    Francona’s rise as one of the game’s best managers was somewhat unexpected.

    Things didn’t go particularly well for him in Philadelphia, where he had four straight losing seasons, got constantly booed in a demanding, sports-crazed city and had the tires on his car slashed on fan appreciation day.

    He was an unlikely choice for Boston’s job, but immediately claimed legendary status by winning the World Series in his first season.

    The Red Sox overcame a 3-0 deficit in the AL Championship Series and swept St. Louis to end an 86-year championship drought and exorcise the “Curse of the Bambino,” a perceived hex on the team after Babe Ruth was sold to the rival New York Yankees.

    When his tenure in Boston ended in 2011 amid some controversy, Francona took a year off and worked in broadcasting before going to Cleveland, where his dad, Tito, spent six seasons and he himself played 62 games in 1988.

    Francona took Cleveland to the playoffs seven times in his 11 seasons and won 921 games. The Guardians, then known as the Indians, made it to the World Series in 2016 only to lose to the Chicago Cubs in a seven-game series.

    Known as Tito, Francona became popular in Cleveland with his quick wit and affable personality. He rode a scooter from his downtown apartment to the ballpark each day, often waving to fans along his sort route.

    Francona could have taken jobs elsewhere but felt a deep connection with Cleveland’s organization after his dad played for the Indians in the late 1950s and early 60s. He was forced to take two lengthy leaves of absence with Cleveland in 2020 while dealing with heart and gastrointestinal issues.

    For his final game with the Guardians on Sept. 27 last season, the club handed out “Thank you Tito” T-shirts to fans at Progressive Field and the Guardians sent him out in style with a 4-3 win —- over the Reds.

    Afterward, Francona said he needed a break.

    “I just think the timing is good,” he said. “I’m just kind of beat up physically, and it’s hard to do this job right or the way I want to do it. I don’t want to shortchange anybody. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

    His hiring by the Reds also coincides with the Guardians finishing with the AL’s second-best record under first-year manager Stephen Vogt, who had the difficult task of trying to replace a Cleveland icon.

    The Guardians open the AL Division Series against Detroit on Saturday.

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  • Cardinals beat the Reds 2-1

    Cardinals beat the Reds 2-1

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    ST. LOUIS (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt’s double in the eighth inning scored Michael Siani with the tiebreaking run, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on Wednesday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Louis starter Lance Lynn tied his career high with seven strikeouts in five innings

    • Cincinnati starter Brandon Williamson, who has missed much of this season after having surgery for a Bennett lesion on his shoulder, pitched five innings

    • In the finale of the three-game series, the Cardinals will send RHP Sonny Gray (12-9, 3.84 ERA) to the mound against LHP Brandon Williamson (0-0, 2.08)

    Siani led off the eighth with a single and stole second despite the Reds pitching out on the play.

    “My job is to get on base,” Siani said. “My role is to create some stuff and set the table for the guys behind me.”

    With out one, pinch-hitter Alec Burleson was hit by a pitch. Goldschmidt, who had singled in the first inning, doubled to center off pitcher Buck Farmer (3-1), scoring Siani.

    “He threw a slider that fortunately I was able to hit it and probably even more fortunate that he (center fielder TJ Friedl) didn’t catch it,” said Goldschmidt, who is 7 for 12 recently with runners in scoring position. “The game’s not easy. There’s always ups and downs. For the most part this year, I was pretty bad with runners in scoring position.”

    JoJo Romero (7-2) got the final two outs in the eighth inning and earned the win. Ryan Helsley needed just eight pitches for a 1-2-3 ninth inning and earned his MLB-leading 44th save in 48 opportunities.

    St. Louis starter Lance Lynn tied his career high with seven strikeouts in five innings.

    “I love watching him pitch,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. “He’s just a fiery dude, he yells at everything. The way he goes about it just ignites a little fire in everybody.”

    The 37-year-old right-hander allowed one run on five hits and one walk.

    “Winning and getting whatever hitter’s in the box still drives me,” Lynn said.

    With his five-inning outing, Lynn reached 2,000 innings in his career, becoming the sixth active pitcher to reach that plateau. He is the fifth Cardinals pitcher to reach the mark, joining Andy Benes (2002), Bob Gibson (1969), Dazzy Vance (1934), and Adam Wainwright (2021). In his previous start, Lynn passed 2,000 strikeouts for his career.

    “I was aware of the innings. I’ve felt every one of them,” Lynn joked. “The 2,000 strikeouts was pretty cool, especially when you do that before.”

    Cincinnati starter Brandon Williamson, who has missed much of this season after having surgery for a Bennett lesion on his shoulder, pitched five innings. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks, striking out five.

    “I was a little shaky, but I found it,” Williamson said. “I feel pretty good.”

    The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a two-out single by Santiago Espinal. He drove in Spencer Steer, who led off with a double and stole third.

    St. Louis tied it 1-1 in fourth when Nolan Arenado hit his 16th homer, barely clearing the wall in left-center. An official review confirmed the home run call.

    “That was a bad pitch,” Williamson said. “He hit a cutter up. He put a good swing on it.”

    The homer snapped a 24 inning scoreless streak.

    “We didn’t come out on top tonight, but the pitching was there,” Cincinnati manager David Bell said.

    Training room

    Reds: RHP Hunter Greene (right elbow soreness) threw 25 pitches in a live batting practice session before Wednesday’s game. He is expected to throw a longer session Saturday in Minnesota. He was place on the IL on Aug. 17. Cardinals: Lynn (right knee strain) was activated from the IL on Wednesday to start the game.

    Up next

    In the finale of the three-game series, the Cardinals will send RHP Sonny Gray (12-9, 3.84 ERA) to the mound against LHP Brandon Williamson (0-0, 2.08).

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  • Mets beat Reds 6-4 for 8th straight win

    Mets beat Reds 6-4 for 8th straight win

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Vientos hit a pair of two-run homers, including a leadoff shot in the 10th inning that sent the New York Mets past the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 on Friday night for their eighth consecutive victory.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mark Vientos hit a pair of two-run homers, including a leadoff shot in the 10th inning that sent the New York Mets past the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 for their eighth consecutive victory

    • New York hasn’t trailed in 63 innings and is riding its longest winning streak since an eight-game run in August 2019

    • Vientos also connected in the first inning for the Mets, who remained tied with Atlanta for the last National League wild card

    • Mets closer Edwin Díaz and younger brother Alexis Díaz, the Reds’ ace reliever, pitched in the same game for the first time in their major league careers

    New York hasn’t trailed in 63 innings and is riding its longest winning streak since an eight-game run in August 2019. Vientos also connected in the first for the Mets, who remained tied with rival Atlanta for the last National League wild card.

    “I think September’s the right time to get hot,” Vientos said.

    Mets closer Edwin Díaz and younger brother Alexis Díaz, the Reds’ ace reliever, pitched in the same game for the first time in their All-Star careers.

    Edwin Díaz struck out all three batters in the top of the ninth, fanning Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer with 100 mph fastballs. Alexis Díaz worked a hitless bottom of the ninth to keep the score tied.

    “We both did good,” Edwin Díaz said, grinning. “So he can’t say anything to me, I can’t say anything to him.”

    Afterward, they took photos on the field with about 20 proud family members — including their parents.

    “It was a very special day,” said Alexis Díaz, with teammate Nick Martinez translating from Spanish to English. “It was an emotional moment.”

    With automatic runner Brandon Nimmo on second base, Vientos drove a 2-2 fastball from Justin Wilson (1-5) clocked at 97 mph to left field for his 24th home run and second game-ending drive this season.

    “I knew I was going to get an opportunity. I feel like I kind of want the opportunity in those situations and when I got it I was like, yes, let’s do this,” Vientos said. “We were confident that we were going to win that game.”

    The 24-year-old third baseman tossed his bat aside and then his helmet high in the air as he approached home plate, where jubilant teammates swarmed him with glee, doused him in liquid — and ripped off his jersey.

    “I don’t know if I believe in magic, but I think we have the energy and the right mindset going into this month because we’re hungry and we want to make it to the playoffs,” Vientos said.

    Jose Buttó (7-3) pitched a perfect 10th for the win. New York’s bullpen, a suspect unit much of the season, has a 0.72 ERA over 25 innings during the winning streak.

    Cincinnati was coming off a three-game sweep of AL West-leading Houston and had won four in a row overall.

    De La Cruz and TJ Friedl each connected for a two-run homer off Mets starter Sean Manaea that tied the game.

    De La Cruz went deep in the fourth following a leadoff walk to Jonathan India. Friedl evened it 4-all with two outs in the seventh when Manaea hung a 78 mph sweeper.

    That was it for Manaea, who allowed three hits and struck out nine. The left-hander, who has blossomed into New York’s top starter this season, was given a warm ovation from the crowd of 25,335 as he walked off the mound.

    The Mets went ahead 4-2 in the sixth on RBI singles by pinch-hitter Jose Iglesias and new dad J.D. Martinez. Pete Alonso started the two-out rally, reaching on a double when his drive squirted out of Jake Fraley’s glove as the right fielder attempted to complete a tumbling catch in the corner.

    “There’s never panic. We’re never out of the game. That’s the feeling,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “There’s a lot of different ways that we can create runs.”

    Vientos gave the Mets a 2-0 lead nine pitches into the game when he homered off opener Fernando Cruz.

    Francisco Lindor was aboard after a soft leadoff single that extended his hitting streak to 16 games, setting a career high. Lindor also pushed his on-base streak to 34 games, another career best and the longest active run in the majors.

    Trainer’s Room

    Mets: 2B Jeff McNeil was removed for a pinch hitter in the sixth, one inning after getting hit by a 74 mph curveball. McNeil appeared to get plunked on his protective padding, but the team announced he exited with a bruised right wrist and will undergo testing Saturday. … RHP Kodai Senga (strained left calf) will throw another bullpen Saturday. Senga threw 25 pitches in his first bullpen session Wednesday and hopes to return from the 60-day injured list when eligible Sept. 25. … Martinez was back in the lineup at DH after being reinstated from the paternity list on the off day Thursday. He missed a three-game sweep of Boston from Monday to Wednesday.

    Up Next

    Mets LHP Jose Quintana (7-9, 4.27 ERA) starts Saturday against RHP Jakob Junis (4-0, 3.13) in the middle game of the series.

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  • Reds roll to a 7-4 win over the Marlins

    Reds roll to a 7-4 win over the Marlins

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    CINCINNATI (AP) — Rookie Rece Hinds hit his first career grand slam, Jonathan India and Jeimer Candelario had first-inning solo shots and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Miami Marlins 7-4 on Friday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Rookie Rece Hinds hit his first career grand slam, Jonathan India and Jeimer Candelario had first-inning solo shots and the Cincinnati Reds cruised to a 7-4 win over the Miami Marlins

    • Reds starter Carson Spiers struck out eight of the first 10 Marlins he faced and finished with a career-high nine in the opener of the final series before the All-Star break

    • Spiers allowed three runs and six hits through five innings

    • The Reds, who took three of four from the Colorado Rockies this week, did their damage in the first three innings off Miami starter Yonny Chirinos

    Reds starter Carson Spiers (3-2) struck out eight of the first 10 Marlins he faced and finished with a career-high nine in the opener of the final series before the All-Star break. Spiers allowed three runs and six hits through five innings.

    “A lot of luck and a lot of good pitches, I guess,” Spiers said of his string of strikeouts.

    The Reds, who took three of four from the Colorado Rockies this week, did their damage in the first three innings off Miami starter Yonny Chirinos (0-1).

    India hit one out to center field, his first lead-off homer since May 7, 2023, and Candelario’s shot went out to right, his 15th of the season.

    Will Benson hit a two-out RBI double in the second, and Hinds hit a bases-loaded shot into the first row of seats in center field in the third inning, his third homer in his first five games in the majors. He set a major league record earlier this week with five extra-base hits in his first two games.

    “It’s unheard of, really,” Reds manager David Bell said.

    “I got a pitch over the heart of the plate with runners on base,” the 23-year-old Hinds said of his round-tripper. “I wanted to drive in runs. I got the pitch. I’m always ready for the heater.”

    Chirinos gave up seven runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out one and walking four.

    “A lot of pitches middle of the belt, waist-high, thigh-high, and not a ton of swing-and-miss,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “When you don’t have a ton of swing-and-miss, you have to have elite command or be on the ground a lot, and unfortunately, he was neither one of those.”

    Jesús Sánchez hit a one-out, three-run homer for the Marlins in the fourth off Spiers. Vidal Bruján got his first career RBI with a two-out single in the ninth off Alexis Diaz.

    Reds All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz stole his major league-leading 46th base after singling in the sixth inning, and ranged way to his left to make a great play on a grounder by Xavier Edwards and throw to first to end the game.

    Trainer’s Room

    Marlins: Sent SS Otto Lopez (back) on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Jacksonville.

    Reds: Manager David Bell reported INF Christian Encarnacion-Strand had surgery on his fractured right hand. He likely will not return this season. … RHP Graham Ashcraft (elbow strain) will be out until September, if he’s able to come back at all, Bell said.

    Up Next

    Reds lefty Nick Lodolo (8-3, 3.30 ERA) will be on the mound facing Marlins lefty Trevor Rogers (1-9, 4.82) as the series continues Saturday afternoon.

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  • Reds hold off slumping Yankees 3-2

    Reds hold off slumping Yankees 3-2

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Andrew Abbott took a two-hit shutout into the seventh inning and reliever Fernando Cruz got Aaron Judge to ground into a pivotal double play, pitching the Cincinnati Reds past the struggling New York Yankees 3-2 on Wednesday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Andrew Abbott took a two-hit shutout into the seventh inning and reliever Fernando Cruz got Aaron Judge to ground into a pivotal double play, pitching the Cincinnati Reds past the struggling New York Yankees 3-2

    • Noelvi Marte hit a two-run homer and Stuart Fairchild also connected for the Reds, who handed Carlos Rodón his fourth straight loss

    • They’ve won consecutive one-run games at Yankee Stadium to ensure their first series victory since June 6-9

    • Cincinnati was 0-4-2 in its previous six series since taking three of four games from the Cubs

    Noelvi Marte hit a two-run homer and Stuart Fairchild also connected as the Reds handed Carlos Rodón (9-6) his fourth straight loss. They’ve won consecutive one-run games at Yankee Stadium to ensure their first series victory in almost a month.

    Cincinnati was 0-4-2 in its previous six series since taking three of four games against the Chicago Cubs from June 6-9.

    “We played well. That’s important for us,” manager David Bell said. “Winning the first two is great, but we have tomorrow, too, and it’s just as important for us.”

    Anthony Volpe ended an 0-for-18 slump with a two-run double in the seventh off Cruz, who then threw a wild pitch and walked Juan Soto, putting runners at the corners in a 3-2 game.

    But on the next delivery after a visit from pitching coach Derek Johnson, the right-hander got Judge to ground into an around-the-horn double play that ended the inning.

    “It was the time to compete,” Cruz said. “I know who you are. I’m here. I have three pitches that I can get you out [with] and I don’t think you’re expecting a fastball in the middle of the plate and I’m going to throw it to you.”

    A fired-up Cruz gave a huge fist pump and shouted with joy as he came off the mound. He called it “the best feeling in the world.”

    “Shutting down the fans, the crowd — the game was on the line and shutting them down is one of the best feelings in sports for me,” Cruz said. “I don’t know what’s better than that.”

    The streaking Judge began the day leading the majors in homers (32), RBIs (83) and OPS (1.158).

    “It’s the best hitter in the world, there’s no secret about it,” Cruz said. “There’s no better way to compete.”

    Justin Wilson struck out pinch-hitter Trent Grisham with two on to end the eighth. Alexis Díaz earned his 19th save in 21 tries, inducing a double-play grounder from Volpe that erased a leadoff walk in a hitless ninth.

    New York (54-34) lost for the 12th time in 16 games and fell to 0-5-1 in its last six series.

    “It’s just baseball,” Soto said. “We hit the ball hard and we couldn’t find the gap.”

    Abbott (8-6) was charged with one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings in his first outing against the Yankees. The left-hander improved to 5-1 in his past six starts.

    “He executed. He got ahead and I think we probably just missed a couple of pitches,” Volpe said. “He had good stuff today.”

    Tyler Stephenson singled in the Cincinnati second and Marte drove an 0-1 fastball just inside the left-field foul pole for his fourth major league homer and first this season, snapping a career-worst 0-for-16 slump.

    The rookie third baseman returned last Thursday from an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He began the night batting .150 with two RBIs.

    “It’s a dream come true to come and play in Yankee Stadium,” Marte said through a translator. “I’ve always kind of dreamed of that.”

    Fairchild was out in front of a full-count slider leading off the fifth, but he lofted it 362 feet into the left-field corner for his fifth home run.

    Those were the only three hits permitted by Rodón, who rebounded somewhat from three ugly outings in a row. The two-time All-Star struck out eight and walked two in 5 1/3 innings — but it wasn’t the result he was seeking.

    Removed after 95 pitches, Rodón walked slowly off the mound to mild applause from a sellout crowd of 47,646 on Fireworks Night and yelled into his glove as he approached the dugout. The $162 million lefty is 0-4 with a 10.89 ERA in his last four starts after going 7-0 with a 2.28 ERA in his previous seven.

    “A lot better than the last three,” Rodón said. “Some pitches I’d like to have back.”

    Trainer’s Room

    Reds: LHP Nick Lodolo (finger blister) threw 20 pitches against hitters and is scheduled to throw a bullpen in a few days. He remains on track to come off the injured list and start next Tuesday against Colorado.

    Yankees: Soto appeared a bit shaken up after his right arm and shoulder banged into the chain-link portion of the right-field fence on a catch in the second inning. He stayed in the game. Soto was elected Wednesday night to his fourth All-Star Game, his first as a starter.

    Up Next

    Reds RHP Frankie Montas (3-6, 4.23 ERA) faces one of his former teams in the series finale Thursday afternoon. Montas is 1-6 in 13 starts since April 9, but he’s often pitched in hard luck with little run support lately. RHP Marcus Stroman (7-3, 3.29) goes for New York.

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  • Reds beat St. Louis 9-4

    Reds beat St. Louis 9-4

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    ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jonathan India doubled twice in his eighth consecutive multihit game, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-4 on Saturday.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-4 on Saturday

    • Paul Goldschmidt hit his 11th homer for St. Louis, which beat Cincinnati 1-0 on Friday

    • Austin Wynns hit three doubles for Cincinnati in his first major league game since Oct. 1

    • Reds RHP Hunter Greene (5-3, 3.79 ERA) will face Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (3-3, 3.86 ERA) on Sunday

    India scored a run and drove in two more. He has at least one double in each of his last seven games. He is batting .512 (21 for 41) with one homer and six RBIs during an 11-game hit streak.

    “He just looks so good out there in every part of the game,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He’s moving well. Physically, he looks great, and we’ve always known he can hit. It seems like he’s been here for so long, and he’s still young and getting better.”

    Austin Wynns hit three doubles for Cincinnati in his first major league game since Oct. 1 for Colorado against Minnesota. Elly De La Cruz doubled and tripled, and Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild each had two RBIs.

    Paul Goldschmidt hit his 11th homer for St. Louis, which beat Cincinnati 1-0 on Friday. Sonny Gray (9-5) was charged with six runs, three earned, and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

    Cincinnati (39-44) broke it open when it sent 10 batters to the plate in a six-run fifth. With one out and the bases loaded, De La Cruz scampered home when third baseman Nolan Arenado mishandled a potential double-play grounder.

    “It just didn’t go our way,” Gray said. “Once that fifth inning kind of went the way it does, it kind of felt like after Marte’s at-bat the momentum was completely on their side. We were kind of flirting with it at the time. It kind of went to their side and then that inning kind of escalated on us.”

    Fairchild and Benson hit consecutive two-run singles off John King with two down, and Wynns doubled home Benson for an 8-1 lead.

    “The approach off Sonny was so good,” Bell said. “Staying through the middle of the field, hitting line drives. When we’re not hitting home runs, it’s nice to get rewarded by hitting doubles.”

    Reds starter Carson Spiers (2-1) allowed two runs, one earned, and three hits in six innings.

    “Utilizing both sides of the plate, that’s kind of what I did today,” Spiers said. “Very efficient, very effective early, especially setting the tone. I think that’s when I kind of get into a groove and things kind of start rolling. Changeups were working really good early and then spotted some cutters up and fastballs up so it worked out.”

    Goldschmidt went deep in the sixth, stopping Spiers’ streak of 43 consecutive innings without allowing a home run.

    Gray struck out and walked one in his shortest start of the season. It was his second career start against the Reds, who traded him to Minnesota in March 2022.

    “I thought Sonny actually did a good job,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “Overall man, he made his pitch there at the end, and it didn’t go our way.”

    Trainer’s room

    Reds: OF Jake Fraley (bruised right calf) returned to the lineup and started at designated hitter for the first time since being scratched before Wednesday’s game at Philadelphia.

    Cardinals: OF Lars Nootbaar (oblique strain) started in right field and went 0 for 3 while playing five innings for Double-A Springfield in the first game of a rehabilitation assignment on Friday night. Nootbaar is scheduled to play seven innings for Springfield on Saturday night.

    Up next

    Reds RHP Hunter Greene (5-3, 3.79 ERA) will face Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (3-3, 3.86 ERA) on Sunday in the finale of the four-game set.

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    Associated Press

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