Smith pitches four perfect innings but loses
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — For some inexplicable reason, Joey Votto wanted to play a meaningless Friday night baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds with seven stitches in his jaw. That, though, is Joey Votto. He would play baseball on a dark pier in a rainstorm. On Thursday night in St. […]
Reds bringing Price back for 2017
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — As the Cincinnati Reds plod toward regaining respectability and competitiveness, manager Bryan Price will make that journey with them. Just prior to batting practice Friday night, the Reds announced that Price has accepted a contract to manager the 2017 season, with an option for 2018. And his entire coaching staff […]
Price returning to manage Reds in 2017
By HAL McCoy CINCINNATI — Bryan Price is coming back to manage the Cincinnati Reds for the 2017 season. The Reds announced this afternoon that Price has agreed to a one-year contract with an option for 2018. In addition, all the coaches have been invited back for next season. Price is concluding his third year […]
Surprise, surprise! Reds clinch last place
By HAL McCOY The Cincinnati Reds clinched something Thursday night in St. Louis Thursday night, but there was no celebratory champagne squirting in the visitor’s clubhouse. They clinched the booby prize in the National League Central. Last place. By losing to the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-3, they assured themselves of last place. They are four […]
Iglesias performs like a magician
By HAL McCOY It isn’t often the Cincinnati Reds win a game when they score only two runs. It isn’t often the Cincinnati Reds win a game when Joey Votto goes 0 for 5. Or even 0 for 4. It isn’t often the Cincinnati Reds win a game when relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias puts two […]
Diaz hits grand slam for Fernandez
By HAL McCOY, The emotions from the death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez spilled into Busch Stadium in St. Louis Tuesday night. St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz grew up on the same street in Santa Clara, Cuba as Fernandez and the two were lifelong close friends. When Fernandez, the 24-year-old pitching star for […]
Reds slap 15 runs on the Cardinals
By HAL McCOY So which team is competing for a playoff spot, the St. Louis Cardinals or the Cincinnati Reds. Everybody knows that answer. The Cardinals. But on Monday night in Busch Stadium III, the Reds played as if a wild card spot was just a sniff away, not 16 ½ away and long ago […]
Straily states strong case once again
By HAL McCOY When it comes to Dan Straily, the Cincinnati Reds should throw away the pencil. They shouldn’t pencil him in for the rotation next season. They should use indelible ink. In fact, his name should be at the top of the rotation for 2017, especially for what the 27-year-old right hander has done […]
Triple play, bullpen blowup do in Reds
By HAL McCOY Most of the time Joey Votto doesn’t make more than two outs during an entire game. On Friday night in Miller Park he made three out with one swing of the bat. He hit into a triple play. It was instrumental in the Cincinnati Reds losing to the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-4, dropping […]