In a packed weekly review, Joey Votto’s year of career milestones continues. The Western and Southern Open wraps up and much, much more.

Cincinnati Reds: Votto joins 2,000 hits club and team surges in standings

First baseman Joey Votto began last week on a historic note. Getting his 2,000th career hit in last Monday’s win against the Chicago Cubs. This is the latest in a year of career milestones for Votto. Earlier this season, he hit his 300th home run and his 1,000th run batted in. Joining Billy Williams as the only players to do all three in the same year.

Votto’s 2,000th hit was part of a 14-5 blowout week-opening win. Unfortunately for the Reds, their bats fell silent through the rest of their series against the Cubs. Scoring one run each in last Tuesday and Wednesday’s losses. Not taking full advantage against the struggling Cubs. The Reds didn’t have that same issue against the Miami Marlins. Cincinnati swept Miami in their four game weekend series. Winning 6-1 last Thursday, 5-3 Friday, 7-4 Saturday and 3-1 Sunday.

Elsewhere in Reds news, the Reds will be part of the next Field of Dreams game. Set to take place on August 11, 2022 in Dyersville, Iowa. Following up a riveting debut earlier this month. Between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox. The Reds will face the Cubs in the next game.

The game will take place across a corn field from where the iconic “Field of Dreams” movie was filmed. The Reds will be the home team for that game; the opening of a three game series. Despite the Cubs being geographically closer to Dyersville. Plus, having their Triple-A affiliate in Iowa. The remaining two games will be in Cincinnati next August 13-14.

Cincinnati’s weekend sweep over Miami helped them in the standings. The Reds go into Monday a game ahead of the San Diego Padres. In the race for the last National League wild card spot. In the National League Central, the Reds remain in second place. Going into Monday 7.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. That serves as the backdrop for their meeting in Milwaukee this week.

After an off day today, the Reds will face the Brewers in a three game series Tuesday-Thursday. First pitch for Tuesday and Wednesday’s games is set for 8:10 PM Eastern. Thursday’s finale is set to start at 2:10 PM Eastern. After Milwaukee, the Reds will face the Marlins again. With three games in Miami, Friday at 7:10 PM, Saturday at 6:10 PM and Sunday at 1:10 PM Eastern.

Cincinnati Bengals lose second preseason game

The Cincinnati Bengals lost their preseason road finale last Friday. Scoring just one touchdown in their 17-13 loss to the Washington Football Team. Despite it being an exhibition, there were similarities with recent regular season games. Kickers Evan McPherson and Austin Seibert accounted for most of the Bengals scoring. The defense held up well despite missing rookie Joseph Ossai. Likely out for the season with a meniscus injury. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s passing game was mostly ineffective.

Cincinnati’s lone touchdown was a run by quarterback Brandon Allen. While 2021 first round draft pick Ja’Marr Chase dropped all three passes targeted to him. The Bengals will wrap up the preseason this Sunday at home. Taking on the Miami Dolphins at 4 PM Eastern on CBS. Going into Monday, it’s unclear if Joe Burrow and other household names will play deep into the game. In previous years, the third preseason game typically featured hefty playing time for first string players. That might change with three preseason games now instead of four.

The Bengals preseason loss was part of a week of local football headlines. Also in Bengals news, their home Paul Brown Stadium will not accept cash this season. Starting with their preseason finale this Sunday. PBS joins a growing list of local venues going cashless. Great American Ball Park isn’t accepting cash this season either. In College Football news, Cincinnati Football is ranked No.8 in the Associated Press preseason poll. While high school football season is underway in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Western and Southern Open Recap

The 2021 Western and Southern Open is officially in the books. Wrapping up with two players in the midst of sizzling summers winning the singles titles. Australian Ashleigh Barty won the women’s singles final. Sweeping Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann 6-3, 6-1 Sunday. Barty won the Wimbledon women’s singles final earlier this summer.

After winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Alexander Zverev’s hot summer continued with a dominant showcase in Mason, OH. The German swept his friend Russian Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-3 Sunday evening. Zverev could be the biggest challenger to Novak Djokovic’s quest for a 2021 Grand Slam sweep. As the two gear up for the U.S. Open, starting up next week.

Beyond Barty and Zverev’s wins, the big story of the W&S Open was Naomi Osaka’s return to participating in press conferences. Osaka drew global headlines in May, after withdrawing from the French Open. Citing the strain of participating in press conferences on the openly shy Osaka’s mental health. The W&S Open was the most recent chapter in a high-profile Summer for Osaka. Along with withdrawing from Wimbledon; she also lit the Olympic cauldron in Tokyo. While also pledging to donate W&S Open winnings to Haiti earthquake relief efforts. In Mason, Osaka ultimately lost in the round of 16 to eventual runner-up Jil Teichmann.

Meanwhile in doubles, China’s Zhang Shuai and Australian Samantha Stosur won the women’s tournament. While Spaniard Marcel Granollers and Argentinian Horacio Zeballos won the men’s doubles tournament.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati missed out on a few scoring opportunities. In their scoreless draw against CF Montreal last Wednesday in Cincinnati. FCC had a goal waived off by an offsides call. While another attempted goal hit the crossbar. Last Saturday, FCC lost a 4-1 drubbing on the road. Against Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference leading New England Revolution.

FCC’s next match will be Friday against their cross-state foe Columbus Crew. Friday’s match in Columbus is set for 6:30 PM Eastern on ESPN. In other soccer news, the list of U.S. Soccer friendlies TQL Stadium continues to grow. The U.S. Women’s National Team will face Paraguay at TQL Stadium on September 21st. This will be the fifth USWNT match in Cincinnati and the first at TQL Stadium. Pre-sales begin today and tickets will be available for the public begin Friday. The stadium will also host a U.S. Men’s National Team match against Mexico on November 12th.

Hamilton West Side All Stars’ Little League World Series update

Hamilton Ohio’s West Side All Stars’ run in the Little League World Series continues. After beating Nolensville, TN 1-0 last Thursday. The All Stars lost to Torrance, CA 9-0 last Sunday. Their next game is today against Lafayette, LA at 5 PM Eastern on ESPN2. The winner will play Wednesday at 1 PM Eastern on ESPN.

Local athletes to watch at the Tokyo Paralympics

The opening ceremony for the Tokyo Paralympics is tomorrow. Emmy Kaiser and Lawrence Sapp are the Greater Cincinnati area’s two representatives in the games. Kaiser will compete in Wheelchair Tennis and Sapp will compete in Swimming. Wheelchair Tennis competitions begin Friday; Kaiser’s competition schedule won’t be known until Thursday at the earliest.

Swimming competitions begin tomorrow night Cincinnati time. Sapp’s first race will be in the third heat of the men’s 100m butterfly tomorrow at 9:02 PM Eastern. He will also compete in the 200m freestyle. In one of three heats Thursday night at approximately 8 PM Eastern. A broadcasting schedule for the games can be found at nbcolympics.com