In this packed review, a record-setting week for Joey Votto. The latest on how local Olympians are faring in Tokyo. Plus, TQL Stadium gets set to host a major international match.

Cincinnati Reds week in review

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto is emerging from a record-setting week. Votto set a Reds franchise record through hitting home runs in seven-consecutive games. The streak came to an end last Saturday in Cincinnati’s 5-4 extra innings loss to the New York Mets. That was one of Cincinnati’s two losses during a seven game road trip last week. Both coming through rough outings from the Reds’ bullpen.

Cincinnati began last week with a 6-5 loss last Monday against the Chicago Cubs. Former Cubs shortstop Javier Baez had a game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth. Baez marked the game winning hit by taunting Reds reliever Amir Garrett while walking to first base. While similar instances from Garrett and Reds All-Star Nick Castellanos drew suspensions. Baez was met with a fine for an undisclosed amount.

Baez was denied a rematch of sorts with Garrett a day later. After Garrett and the Reds recorded the final out in last Tuesday’s 7-4 win with Baez on deck. Though the Reds and Baez had more chances to meet throughout the week. After Baez was traded to the Mets as part of the Cubs’ fire sale. Elsewhere on the trade front, the Reds gave their bullpen a much needed boost. Adding relief pitchers Mychal Givens, Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson before last Friday’s deadline.

Last Tuesday’s game was the first of five wins by large margins last week. Cincinnati won 8-2 on Wednesday and wrapped up their series in Chicago with a 7-4 win last Thursday. Johnathan India had a stellar homecoming last Friday. With a career-first two home run game, starting with the first pitch of the game. Doing so in his first game at New York’s Citi Field against his childhood team. Cincinnati won last Friday’s game 6-2, in a game that featured the return of Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen. After recovering from a hamstring injury earlier in July.

After Saturday’s loss, Max Schrock stepped in for Joey Votto a day later. Getting a well-deserved day off after his home run streak ended. Schrock recorded five hits as Cincinnati clobbered the Mets 7-1. The Reds are back home this week with series against the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds and Twins’ two-game series starts Tuesday at 7:10 PM and wraps up Wednesday at 12:35 PM Eastern. First pitch in Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s games against the Pirates are set for 7:10 PM Eastern. Sunday’s finale is set to start at 1:10 PM Eastern.

Olympics Update

We’ve had two matchups featuring Olympians with local ties facing each other. One took place early Monday as the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team lost to Canada 1-0 in the semifinals. Featuring Cincinnati native Rose Lavelle representing the United States. Plus, University of Cincinnati alumnus Vanessa Gilles representing Canada. The U.S. Women’s National Team will play Australia in the Bronze Medal Match Thursday at 4 AM Eastern. Canada will face Sweden in the Gold Medal Match Friday at 10 PM Eastern. The other matchup with local connections facing each other was in Baseball last week.

Former Reds player Todd Frazier and the U.S. faced Israel last Friday. Israel’s third base coach Nate Fish is one of several UC alumni participating in these games. The United States beat Israel 8-1 and beat South Korea 4-2 last Saturday. The U.S. lost to host nation Japan in extra innings earlier today 7-6. Next up for Team USA, a repechage game tomorrow at 11 PM Eastern against a team to be determined. Israel lost to South Korea twice and beat Mexico 12-5 last Saturday. Israel will face the Dominican Republic tomorrow at 6 AM Eastern.

It was a mixed weekend for the United States in volleyball. America’s women’s volleyball team is advancing on to the knockout stage. While Cincinnati native Max Holt and the men’s team isn’t. After getting swept in a must win game against Argentina last Sunday. In women’s volleyball, American star rookie and UC alum Jordan Thompson is recovering from an ankle injury. Suffered in a group stage loss against athletes representing the Russian Olympic Committee last Friday. Thompson was the leading scorer in the tournament during that game.

Thompson cheered on her teammates as the U.S. beat Italy last Sunday. The U.S. will play the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals Wednesday at Midnight Eastern time. Another UC alumnus and local businesswoman Annette Echikunwoke’s Olympics ended before she was able to compete. Echikunwoke was disqualified due to a testing protocol error by the African Federation of Nigeria. Echikunwoke was set to represent Nigeria in the women’s hammer throwing competition.

Trenton, Ohio native Zach Apple wrapped up his Olympics with another gold medal. Apple was part of the U.S. Men’s 4×100 meter medley relay last Saturday. Along with Caeleb Dressel, Michael Andrew and Ryan Murphy. The team set a world record with a time of 3:26.78. Apple also won gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay on July 25th.

In Boxing, Cincinnatian Duke Ragan will face Ghana’s Samuel Takyi tonight. In the semifinals of the men’s featherweight tournament at 10:30 PM Eastern.

Home’s still not sweet home for FC Cincinnati

Despite DC United playing two men down due to penalties. Plus, a handful of exhilarating late scoring opportunities. FC Cincinnati emerged from Saturday evening with a scoreless draw. Over two months after TQL Stadium’s opening match, FC Cincy is still in search of their first win there. FC Cincy will have two matches this week; starting Wednesday with a road match against the New York Red Bulls. That match is set to start at 8 PM Eastern on WSTR-TV (64). FCC will host Orlando City this Saturday at 7:30 PM Eastern on WSTR-TV as well.

Meanwhile, TQL Stadium is set to host a big international match in November. The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team will face Mexico at TQL Stadium. In a World Cup qualifying match on November 12th. Marking the third U.S. Soccer match in Cincinnati since FCC’s launch. Nippert Stadium hosted the USWNT in 2017 and a USMNT match in 2019. November’s World Cup qualifier will be a quick renewal of one of North America’s most heated rivalries. The U.S. beat Mexico in last Sunday’s Gold Cup Final 1-0 in extra time.

Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp update

Training Camp is underway for the Cincinnati Bengals. Fortunately for the Bengals, camp is starting off on a quiet note. Unlike recent years, the biggest injury related news so far isn’t surrounding a fresh injury. Quarterback Joe Burrow’s recovery from an ACL/MCL injury appears to be going well. Burrow was effectively cleared for all activity going into camp.

McBride and Teague take step towards NBA aspirations

While college sportswriters pondered the future for the Big 12 Conference last week. After Texas and Oklahoma stated their intentions to leave and join the Southeastern Conference. A Big 12 college basketball star with local connections was selected in last Thursday’s NBA Draft. The New York Knicks drafted Archbishop Moeller High School alum Miles McBride. McBride played college basketball with West Virginia. Led by former Cincinnati Basketball head coach Bob Huggins.

McBride isn’t the only local Big 12 school alum to have a big draft week. Walnut Hills High School alumnus MaCio Teague signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Utah Jazz. The contract will allow Teague to take part in the Jazz’s training camp. While the Jazz controls Teague’s G-League rights. Teague helped lead Baylor Basketball to their national championship victory earlier this year.