In this review, the Cincinnati Reds and FC Cincinnati wrap up Mother’s Day weekend on winning notes. Plus, the Cincinnati connections to one of the biggest Kentucky Derby upsets of all time.

Cincinnati Reds wins weekend series against Pittsburgh Pirates

The Cincinnati Reds went into the weekend with a nine-game losing streak. After a Friday rainout that will be made up on July 7th. The Reds won game one of a doubleheader last Saturday. Beating the Pittsburgh Pirates in Cincinnati 9-2; marking their first win in nearly two weeks. The Reds were fueled by a seven-run eighth inning. A rare rush of runs after being routinely routed before Saturday. Reds opponents scored 10 runs or more in four of their last six games heading into Saturday.

Despite losing game two of the doubleheader 8-5. One at bat effectively helped the Reds secure the series on Sunday. Cincinnati trailed Pittsburgh 2-0 going into the bottom of the sixth. The Reds led 5-2 by the end of that inning. Getting on the board through Tommy Pham’s RBI through a bases-loaded walk.

Then after a subsequent out, Colin Moran hit a grand slam. After Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds hit a home run in the top of the eighth. Moran hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth. Reds’ pitcher Hunter Strickland closed out the 7-3 victory. The weekend success gives the Reds a much-needed lift. After a miserable opening month to their season. Along with their first series victory of this season.

This week in Reds baseball (all times Eastern)

Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Monday and Tuesday at 6:40 PM on Bally Sports Ohio.

Wednesday at 12:35 PM on YouTube.

Reds at Pirates

Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6:35 PM on Bally Sports Ohio.

Sunday at 1:35 PM on Bally Sports Ohio.

All games are also available on WLW-AM (700) and other Cincinnati Reds Radio Network affiliates.

FC Cincinnati win three matches in eight days

During two points going through last week. FC Cincinnati had more wins in less games than the Reds. Now both teams have five wins respectively going into this week. Unlike the Reds, FC Cincinnati has a chance to end this week above .500. The Reds are now 5-23 while FC Cincinnati’s 5-5-1.

The first time followed FCC’s 2-0 home win against Toronto FC last Wednesday. Happening four days after FCC beat Toronto 2-1 in Toronto. The second time was after Saturday night’s 1-0 win at Minnesota. Brandon Vazquez scored the lone stoppage time goal in the 93rd minute. Helping FC Cincinnati surpass their four wins last season.

FC Cincinnati’s schedule this week (all times Eastern)

The orange and blue have another two-match week this week. Starting with a chance for a statement-making win against the New England Revolution. FCC will take on New England Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 32. New England won Major League Soccer’s Supporters Shield last year. Awarded to the league’s regular season champions. Wednesday’s game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA will kick-off at 7 PM. Wednesday’s match can be seen on ESPN+.

FC Cincinnati will also face the Chicago Fire this Saturday. The match at Soldier Field in Chicago will kick-off at 8 PM. Saturday’s match can be seen on WSTR-TV (64) and heard on WCKY-AM (1530).

Rich Strike goes from late addition to Kentucky Derby champion

As the old saying goes, what a difference a day can make. Going into last Friday, jockey Sonny Leon was preparing for races at Belterra Park in Anderson Township, OH. While the horse Rich Strike wasn’t in the field for the 148th Kentucky Derby. By Saturday evening at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Leon and trainer Eric Reed were celebrating in the Derby winner’s circle. After Rich Strike’s victory in America’s most famous horse race. Rich Strike surged in the home stretch; after being near the back of the pack for most of the race. Shocking the world as an 80-1 long shot; the second longest shot ever to win the Kentucky Derby.

Rich Strike finished third in the Jeff Ruby Stakes last month at Florence, KY’s Turfway Park. That was his most recent start before the Derby. Rich Strike was added to the derby field Friday when Ethereal Road was scratched. Ethereal Road’s scratch left trainer D. Wayne Lukas with no horse in the derby. However, Lukas didn’t leave derby weekend empty handed. Through Secret Oath’s win in last Friday’s Kentucky Oaks; Lukas tied Woody Stephens for the most Oaks wins by a trainer. Friday marked Lukas’ fifth Kentucky Oaks victory.

Florence Y’alls start season this week

The Florence Y’alls begin their 2022 Frontier League regular season Thursday night. Starting the season at their home Thomas More Stadium in Florence, KY. The Y’alls go into this season as the defending Frontier League West division champions. Florence opens their season with a three-game series against the Tri-City ValleyCats. First pitch for Thursday’s opening night is set for 6:34 PM. Game two of this series is set to start Friday at 7:03 PM. Saturday’s series finale is set to start at 6:36 PM.