In this review, the Cincinnati Reds finally get a win after two brutal weeks. Two high-profile student-athletes transfer to the University of Cincinnati. While the Cincinnati Cyclones continue their pursuit for the Kelly Cup.

Cincinnati Reds losing streak snapped

The Cincinnati Reds snapped their 11-game losing streak on Sunday. In their series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals. Giving the Reds a boost in an otherwise lethargic week for the team. Along with losing games, the Reds lost Tyler Stephenson to a concussion. Suffered when Stephenson was clocked by San Diego Padres player Luke Voit. During Voit’s attempt to score a run during last Tuesday’s game.

The aftermath of Stephenson’s injury summed up the Reds losing streak. Rather than use the moment to rally; the Reds were listless through the rest of the Padres series. Their lone flashes of energy in that series were produced by Tommy Pham. The Reds outfielder and former Padre had first inning home runs last Monday and Tuesday. Giving the Reds leads that they ultimately didn’t hold by the end of the first.

Another sign of life from the Reds before Sunday’s win came on Friday night. When the Reds mounted a mild rally with a run in the ninth. A glimmer of hope sandwiched between Wednesday and Saturday’s shutout losses. Despite not shutting out St. Louis, Sunday’s win was everything the Reds could hope for. With the Reds holding the lead after the first inning and never trailing. Doing so two weeks to the day since their last win. While starting pitcher Nick Lodolo gets his first major league win.

This week in Reds baseball (all times Eastern)

Cincinnati Reds vs. San Diego Padres

Tuesday at 6:40 PM

Probable starters: (Reds) Reiver Sanmartin vs. (Padres) Joe Musgrove

Wednesday at 6:40 PM

Probable starters: (Reds) Vladimir Gutierrez vs. (Padres) MacKenzie Gore

Thursday at 12:35 PM

Probable starters: (Reds) Tyler Mahle vs. (Padres) Nick Martinez

Cincinnati Reds at Colorado Rockies

Friday at 8:40 PM

Probable starters: (Rockies) Austin Gomber vs. (Reds) Hunter Greene

Saturday at 8:10 PM on MLB Network

Probable starters: (Rockies) Chad Kuhl vs. (Reds) Nick Lodolo

Sunday at 3:10 PM

Probable starters: (Rockies) Kyle Freeland vs. (Reds) Reiver Sanmartin

All games will be available on Bally Sports Ohio, WLW-AM (700) and other Reds Radio Network affiliates.

Cincinnati Bearcats add transfers in football and men’s basketball

There were three major roster-related headlines regarding Cincinnati Bearcats athletics last week. In football, Corey Kiner is transferring from LSU to Cincinnati. Kiner joins fellow Cincinnati-area Ohio Mr. Football winner and Bearcat Evan Prater. Kiner, a Roger Bacon High School graduate, won the award in 2020. A year after Wyoming High School graduate Prater won the award.

Kiner’s transfer gives the Bearcats a boost at the running back position. With Bearcats running back Jerome Ford potentially being drafted this weekend. Meanwhile, a current Cincinnati area high school football player committed to Cincinnati last week. Badin High School junior safety Braedyn Moore announced his intentions last Wednesday. Moore helped lead Badin to the Ohio Division III State Championship Game last year.

Corey Kiner wasn’t the only high-profile student-athlete announcing his transfer to Cincinnati last week. In basketball, Rob Phinisee is transferring to Cincinnati from Indiana. Phinisee will join the Bearcats as a graduate transfer. After playing his entire collegiate career to date with Indiana. Phinisee will reunite with UC and former Indiana assistant coach Mike Roberts. Along with joining Kalu Ezikpe as graduate transfers joining the Bearcats.

Cincinnati Cyclones split opening games of Kelly Cup Playoffs

The Cincinnati Cyclones began their Kelly Cup Playoff run last week. Starting their central division semifinal series on the road against their Toledo Walleye. The Cyclones split the first two games of the series. Losing game one 3-2 in overtime last Friday. Then winning by the same score with no overtime needed last Saturday. Now the series shifts this week to Cincinnati’s Heritage Bank Center.

Cyclones vs. Walleye schedule this week (all games are scheduled to start at 7:35 PM Eastern)

Game three: Monday at Cincinnati

Game four: Wednesday at Cincinnati

Game five: Thursday at Cincinnati

Game six: Saturday at Toledo (if necessary)

All Cyclones game broadcasts are available through cycloneshockey.com

FC Cincinnati

Whether it’s the Super Bowl, Reds baseball or soccer. Cincinnati’s professional teams are struggling to beat their Los Angeles counterparts this year. The latest example being FC Cincinnati’s 2-1 home loss to LAFC Sunday evening. LAFC came back to win with second half goals. After FCC’s Luciano Acosta scored during first half stoppage time.

Similar to the Reds, FC Cincinnati went through the week without several key starters. Including goalkeeper Alec Kann and leading scorer Brandon Vazquez. Alvaro Barreal also missed Sunday’s match due to an illness. Barreal was the difference maker in FCC’s other game last week. He scored both goals in FCC’s 2-0 win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last Tuesday. In the third round of this year’s U.S. Open Cup at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium. Both of those goals were in extra time.

The first was through a penalty kick in the 95th minute. Barreal’s scored the second goal four minutes later. Advancing FCC to the round of 32; where they will face the New England Revolution next month. FC Cincinnati’s next match will be on the road against Toronto FC. Taking place this Saturday at 3 PM on WSTR-TV (64) and WCKY-AM (1530).

In other soccer-related news, TQL Stadium will host a FIFA World Cup prep friendly in June. The U.S. Men’s National Team will host Morocco on June 1st. This will be the second time TQL Stadium hosts a USMNT match. The stadium hosted a 2-0 USMNT win against Mexico last November.

Reaching the homestretch on the road to the NFL Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft will take place this week in Las Vegas, NV. Starting Thursday evening at 8 PM Eastern with the first round. The second and third rounds will unfold Friday evening. Friday’s proceedings are set to start at 7 PM Eastern. Rounds four through seven will unfold Saturday afternoon. Saturday’s draft proceedings are set to start at Noon Eastern. All rounds of the draft will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and NFL Network.

The Bengals and night owl fans will be up late Thursday night. With the second-to-last selection in the first round. Cincinnati Bearcats football players Ahmad Gardner and Desmond Ridder will likely be selected before then.

Here’s a look at when the Bengals are set to make selections going into Thursday.

Round 1, 31st overall pick

Round 2, 63rd overall pick

Round 3, 95th overall pick

Round 4, 136th overall pick

Round 5, 174th overall pick

Round 6, 209th overall pick

Round 7, 226th overall pick

Round 7, 252nd overall pick

The 24th Flying Pig Marathon

The Flying Pig Marathon returns to the traditional first Sunday in May date this weekend. After being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Then being delayed to Halloween weekend last year. Various Flying Pig-related events will run throughout this weekend in Downtown Cincinnati. The full schedule of marathon events is available here.