In this review, the Cincinnati Reds have a winning record for the first time in weeks. The Florence Y’alls season is off to a strong start. Plus, FC Cincinnati prepare to return to the pitch.

The Cincinnati Reds are back above .500

For the first time since April, the Cincinnati Reds have a winning record. After sweeping the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series this past weekend. Marking the Reds second-consecutive weekend series sweep. The Reds were able to take advantage of facing a team that struggles away from home. The Rockies wrapped up the series with a 5-27 road record.

The weekend was defined by an explosion of offense from the Reds. Featuring run totals many would expect during games at the Rockies home Coors Field. The Reds put double-digits in the runs column last Friday and Saturday. Winning 11-5 on Friday, hitting a home run in each of the first five innings. Something the Reds have never done in a game before then.

After a historic Friday, Cincinnati scored ten runs on Saturday without hitting a home run. Winning the game and their series through their 10-3 victory. The Reds went into Sunday looking for a sweep and a good major league debut for starting pitcher Tony Santillan. The 24 year-old was promoted from Triple-A Louisville last Saturday.

Santillan led the game with five strikeouts. He walked four, gave up five hits and one earned run in 4.2 innings. The Reds scored three in the second; after falling behind 1-0 in the first. After the Rockies climbed within one run in the top of the seventh. The Reds scored three runs in the bottom of the inning. Bringing us to Sunday’s 6-2 final score. Through Jesse Winker’s two-run double and a Tyler Naquin sacrifice fly that brought Winker home.

The Reds began last week losing two out of three against the Milwaukee Brewers. Blundering a chance at getting to .500; through losing last Tuesday’s series opener 5-1. The Reds evened up the series with a 7-3 win last Wednesday. Then the Reds bullpen blew a 2-1 lead after a rain delay last Thursday. Fumbling another good start from pitcher Luis Castillo. Through giving up three runs in the sixth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth. Losing the series finale by a 7-2 final score.

Cincinnati Reds injury report

Last week featured roller-coaster developments regarding the Reds injury-wise. Joey Votto returned after a rehab stint with Triple-A Louisville. He surpassed Tony Perez in career hits during the weekend. Votto now ranks sixth among the Reds career hits leaders. Going into Monday with 1,937 hits, three ahead of Perez.

Starting pitcher Sonny Gray left last Tuesday’s game with a right groin strain. Leaving the Reds without one of their best starters. He was added to the ten-day injured list a day later. Gray left the game prior to the start of the fourth inning. Feeling the strain while warming up for that inning. Meanwhile relievers Tejay Antone and Michael Feliz were placed on the ten-day IL last week. The Reds don’t have an expected return date for Feliz; Antone is expected to return this Friday.

Joey Votto wasn’t the only player to wrap up a rehab stint in Louisville last week. Aristides Aquino was activated from the 60 day injured list yesterday. Along with this, fellow outfielder Mark Payton was optioned to Louisville. While outfielder Nick Senzel was moved to the 60 day IL. Senzel is recovering from left knee surgery and isn’t expected to return until late July. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Charlie Goldsmith, Mike Moustakas might return during Cincinnati’s imminent road trip. The Reds infielder is recovering from a heel injury.

This upcoming week in Cincinnati Reds baseball

The Reds went into last week striving to get to a .500 record. They will go into this week looking to stay above .500. Similar to last week, the Reds start the week with a divisional clash against the Brewers. Starting up a nine-game road trip with three games in Milwaukee. Game one is set to start tonight at 8:10 PM Eastern. Tuesday’s game is set to start at the same time. While first pitch in Wednesday’s series finale is set for 2:10 PM Eastern.

Cincinnati starts up the second leg of their trip on Thursday. Starting up a four-game series against the San Diego Padres. The Padres are part of the hottest divisional race in baseball. Currently in third place in the National League West; trailing the division-leading San Francisco Giants by three games. Thursday’s game is set to start at 8:40 PM Eastern.

Friday’s first pitch is set for 10:10 PM Eastern. The Reds will play on national television this Saturday. With a Juneteenth game at 7:15 PM Eastern on FOX. Cincinnati wraps up the series and officially starts up summer on Father’s Day. Sunday’s first pitch is set for 4:10 PM Eastern.

The rest of the week that was

Elsewhere on the baseball beat, the Florence Y’alls lead their division going into this week. The Y’alls (12-5) lead the Frontier League’s West division by one game. The Northern Kentucky team also made franchise history last week. Competing in their first extra-inning home run derby. Used by the Frontier League to decide games that go past ten innings.

The derby came in their series finale against the Evansville Otters. Evansville is currently in second place in the division. The Y’alls and Otters split the first two games of the series. Taking a nine all tie into the 11^th inning, Evansville won the derby 9-0. Florence subsequently won two out of three last weekend against the Southern Illinois Miners.

Florence starts a six-game home stand at Y’alls Ballpark this Tuesday. Taking on the Washington Wild Things Tuesday-Thursday. All three games start at approximately 6:30 PM Eastern. The Y’alls will host the Quebec Capitales Friday-Sunday. Friday’s game starts at 7:03 PM, Saturday’s first pitch is set for 6:36 PM and Sunday’s is set for 2:59 PM Eastern.

Beyond baseball, FC Cincinnati had another bye week. The orange and blue had the last two weeks off. Last playing on May 29^th, losing 1-0 to the New England Revolution. Still in search of their first home win of the season; FCC will host the Colorado Rapids This Saturday. The match at TQL Stadium is set to start at 7:30 PM Eastern on WSTR-TV (64/cable 11).