In this review, the Cincinnati Reds’ hot streak goes cold in San Diego. FC Cincinnati falls flat in front of a full house. While SCOTUS rules on a case poised to shake up college athletics.

The Cincinnati Reds rise above and fade back

The 2021 Cincinnati Reds season has mirrored the story of Sisyphus at times. Sisyphus is a figure from Greek mythology eternally condemned by Zeus to rolling a bolder up a hill. Only to have that bolder roll down the hill before reaching the top. The Reds have found themselves at the top of the hill at times throughout this season. Only to have the metaphorical bolder roll back down. Happening when the Reds were near or at the .500 mark.

Cincinnati went into last week one game above .500. They wrapped up the week at the .500 mark; just as they did two weeks ago. After being swept in a four game weekend series against the San Diego Padres. Their loss last Thursday marked the end of a six-game winning streak. A streak that featured back-to-back series sweeps.

The Reds began the week with a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers. Making Cincinnati’s presence known in the National League Central standings. Cincinnati got as close as two games behind the leading Brewers and Chicago Cubs. The Reds go into this Monday four games back of those teams. The Brewers and Cubs remain tied for the division lead; after the Cubs briefly took first place. While the Reds are tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for third place.

Joey Votto cheers up young fan after ejection

Last Friday’s 8-2 loss aside, the Reds didn’t go down without a fight in San Diego. Losing 6-4 through Victor Caratini’s walk-off homer last Thursday. The Reds lost 7-5 on Saturday; through San Diego’s Ha-Seong Kim hitting a two-run homer in the eighth. Cincinnati closed out the series with a 3-2 loss last Sunday. Last Saturday’s loss featured early fireworks and ejections. Reds first baseman Joey Votto, manager David Bell and a Padres fan were ejected in the first inning. During an argument with an umpire over a check swing by Votto.

The ejection marked a sour moment in six-year-old Abigail’s first major league game. With her favorite player being ejected in the first inning. Abigail’s mother Kristen Courtney took to social media to explain the situation. Drawing the attention of the Reds and Votto in the process. Later in the game, Abigail received a signed baseball from Votto. Along with the signiture, Votto wrote “I am sorry I didn’t play the entire game” on the ball. Then on Sunday, Votto met Abigail before the game.

Moustakas endures setback while Greene gets promoted

On the injury front, the Reds were hoping to have Mike Moustakas return to the lineup last week. Those hopes were dashed when Moustakas suffered heel soreness. During a rehab game with Triple-A Louisville last Tuesday. Moustakas continues to recuperate after suffering a heel injury last month. Moustakas was placed on the 60-day injured list last Saturday.

Meanwhile, there was another significant development in Louisville last week. Star prospect pitcher Hunter Greene made his Triple-A debut last Thursday. After starting the season with Double-A Chattanooga; leaving Double-A with a 1.98 earned run average and a 5-0 record. Greene’s Louisville debut featured a scorching 104.3 mile-per-hour fastball. While also giving up four solo home runs, one walk and striking out eight. All in four innings during a game the Louisville Bats ultimately lost 6-5. On the road against the Triple-A East’s Midwest division-leading Omaha Storm Chasers.

Reds week ahead

The Reds start this week by wrapping up their nine-game road trip. With a two-game inter-league series against the Minnesota Twins. Starting tonight at 8:10 PM Eastern time; game two is Tuesday at 1:10 PM Eastern. Cincinnati returns home Thursday to start a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves. Thursday and Friday’s games are set to start at 7:10 PM Eastern. First pitch on Saturday is set for 4:10 PM Eastern. While Sunday’s first pitch is set for 1:10 PM Eastern.

FC Cincinnati shutout in front of a full house

FC Cincinnati lost 2-0 to the Colorado Rapids last Saturday. In front of their first full capacity crowd at their new TQL Stadium. The orange and blue are still win-less in their new home; with just one win overall this season. FC Cincinnati will have two matches to contend with this week. Taking on the Chicago Fire on the road this Wednesday at 8 PM Eastern on WSTR-TV (64). FCC will take on Toronto FC in Orlando, FL this Saturday. That match is set to kick off at 7 PM Eastern on WSTR-TV.

NIL compensation bill advances through Ohio Senate

Ohio’s Senate passed a bill that would allow college athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness. The bill passed through the state Senate unanimously last Wednesday. Aided perhaps by what could be dubbed “Day diplomacy.” A day before the vote, Ohio State Football head coach Ryan Day testified in favor of the bill. Arguing that quick passage of the bill would help Ohio schools avoid losing out recruiting-wise. With similar laws set to take effect in Alabama, Florida and Georgia on July 1^st. Ohio’s NIL bill is now working through the House of Representatives.

The NIL compensation movement is one development that could change college amateurism as we know it. The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the NCAA v. Alston case is another. Today the court unanimously upheld a district court ruling that the NCAA was violating antitrust law. Through placing limits on the education-related benefits that schools can provide student-athletes. The decision doesn’t gut the NCAA’s amateurism rules. It could pave the way for schools to increase education-related compensation for athletes. Potentially providing more fuel for states and the NCAA to approve NIL compensation measures.