DeSclafani: Proving he is a top-shelf pitcher
By HAL McCOY If nothing else is proved by the Cincinnati Reds in this season of reconstruction, they have discovered a legitimate starting pitcher, one that fits right at the top of the rotation. His name is Anthony DeSclafani and folks throughout baseball country are learning how to pronounce his name. And soon they’ll know […]
A dose of confidence for Cody Reed
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — As a doctor always asks, “Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?” First, the bad news. Cody Reed didn’t win his sixth major league start and is still winless. Now, the good news. Cody Reed didn’t lose, didn’t see his record fall to 0-and-5. His […]
Votto’s adjustments paying dividends
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — Joey Votto’s power outage has been notable over the last two months, almost as if Duke Energy flipped a switch on Votto’s bat to reduce the wattage. When the 34-and-58 Cincinnati Reds walked onto the Great American Ball Park grass Monday night to face the 32-and-60 Atlanta Braves, Votto hadn’t […]
Hamilton’s dash makes Straily’s day
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Dan Straily and Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Zach Davies each waited for the other to blink first. Neither blinked. Not once. They were both wide-eyed and bushy-tailed for seven innings Sunday afternoon in the Great American Ball Park hot box, each pitching seven scoreless innings of […]
Brewers once again feast on ‘Lamb chops’
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — When the Milwaukee Brewers see Cincinnati Reds pitcher John Lamb the Brewers lick their chops. They should serve mint jelly in the ball park when Lamb is led to the slaughter by the Brewers. —On May 27 in Milwaukee, Lamb pitched 3 2/3 innings and gave up six runs and […]
Reds enact an ‘escape act’ in the ninth
By HAL McCOY Wonder how long Anthony DeSclafani can hold his breath? It certainly was tested Friday night when he and his Cincinnati Reds began the second half of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers and scored a breath-holding 5-4 victory. DeSclafani was poised to push his record to 4-and-0 when the ninth inning began […]
Nobody beats Fernandez in Miami
By HAL McCOY When Jose Fernandez hangs a ‘Home, Sweet Home’ sign on his locker in Miami, he means just that: ‘Home, Sweet Home.’ Marlins Park is his domain and any opposing baseball teams that treads on his turf are destined for a long, long night. The Cincinnati Reds discovered ‘The Fernandez Factor’ Friday night […]
Iglesias makes strong bullpen statement
By HAL McCOY Raisel Iglesias is like a resuscitator for the Cincinnati Reds bullpen, more than a breath of fresh air for baseball’s worst bullpen. When starter Brandon Finnegan couldn’t protect a five-run lead because he gave up four home runs in five innings against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday afternoon, Iglesias rode to the rescue. […]
Riggins fired but Reds misfire again
By HAL McCOY The Cincinnati Reds keep talking about their rebuilding program, keep telling fans to be patient, but they lost their own patience with pitching coach Mark Riggins Monday. They gave Riggins a Triple-A pitching staff and fired him when the inexperienced staff pitched like a Triple-A staff. It is a staff that leads […]