India signs for $5.3 million and is ready to roll
By Hal McCoy CINCINNATI — As a large media swarm broke up Tuesday afternoon in the Cincinnati Reds dugout, assistant pitching coach Ted Power said, “How come I didn’t get this kind of attention when I was a fifth-round draft pick?” That’s easy, Ted. You are a fifth round pick and the object of the […]
This time Blandino doesn’t ‘take one’ and the Reds benefit
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — For the past couple of weeks, Cincinnati Reds utility player Alex Blandino has earned a couple of behind-the-back nicknames: The Gaper or The Looker. That’s because it seemed nearly every time he came to bat he was called out on strikes — caught looking or caught gaping. That wasn’t the […]
Gennett wants to win more than make the All-Star team
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — When Scooter Gennett awoke Monday morning, even before his first cup of coffee, his wife greeted him with, “You’re now second in the All-Star balloting.” Gennett’s reaction? A soft, non-celebratory and almost ho-hum, “Oh, great.” As anybody who has watched Gennett in a Cincinnati Reds uniform the last year-and-a-half, personal […]
Harvey, Peraza put on a big show as Reds rip Brewers
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta, a 22-year-old rookie from the Dominican Republic, walked to the Great American Ball Park mound Sunday afternoon with a 3-and-0 record and a 1.59 earned run average. For a kid who had never pitched in Triple-A and pitched in only 13 Double-A games before this […]
McCoy: Hughes has a bat, but will stick to his sinker
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — Jared Hughes was ready and willing, if not able, when Cincinnati Reds manager Jim Riggleman arrived to the clubhouse Sunday morning. Hughes had a new Louisville Slugger baseball bat with his name emblazoned on the barrel leaning against his locker. “What do you think? Michael Lorenzen inspired me,” said Hughes. […]
Another homer for Lorenzen, 12 strikeouts for Mahle in 5 2/3 innings
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — Paint Michael Lorenzen green and you have baseball’s version of The Incredible Hulk. His biceps burst out from under his t-shirts and his thighs are as hard as tempered steel. On Saturday afternoon in Great American Ball Park, Lorenzen did what no other pitcher has done before him — and […]
Just call him Michael (Babe Ruth) Lorenzen
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — A writer approached pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse early Saturday afternoon and said, “What d’ya say, Babe?” Lorenzen cracked a broad smile, knowing immediately the reference was to Babe Ruth, a home run-hitting pitcher before he became a home run-hitting outfielder. In his last two at bats, […]
Brewers continue domination of the Reds
By HAL McCOY CINCINNATI — The once furnace-hot Cincinnati Reds are suddenly colder than a brewery refrigerator, a brewery owned and operated by the Milwaukee Brewers. After averaging more than six runs a game over a 15-game span, the Reds swung their bats like popsicle sticks Friday night in Great American Ball Park. They had […]
Duvall: Low batting average, high production
By HAL McCOY CINCINNTATI — Eugenio Suarez was standing in front of Adam Duvall’s locker when Duvall looked up and asked, “How about his fastball?” Duvall was quizzing Suarez on the velocity and movement of Milwaukee’s starting pitcher Friday night, Chase Anderson. “Don’t worry about it, man,” said Suarez. “You can hit anybody’s fastball.” Yes, […]