CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Reds nearly erased a five-run deficit Wednesday night, but Milwaukee held on for a 6-5 win to complete a three-game sweep at Great American Ball Park.

The Brewers struck early in the third inning when William Contreras hit a two-run home run and Jake Bauers followed with a solo shot to make it 3-0. Milwaukee broke the game open in the seventh as Andrew Vaughn cleared the bases with a three-run double for a 6-1 lead.

Cincinnati chipped away with an RBI double from Blake Dunn in the sixth and an RBI double by Eugenio Suárez in the seventh. Sal Stewart drove in a run with a groundout in the eighth before Spencer Steer blasted a two-run home run, his 13th of the season, to pull the Reds within one.

The Reds threatened again in the ninth, putting the tying and winning runs on base. But after a bunt force out at third, Dane Myers grounded into a game-ending double play to end the comeback.

The loss snapped Cincinnati’s streak of 45 consecutive home series without being swept.

The Reds are off Thursday before opening a three-game series Friday night in Pittsburgh. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:10 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds managed just two hits Tuesday night as the Milwaukee Brewers picked up a 2-0 win at Great American Ball Park and secured the series.

Reds starter Nick Lodolo was only able to pitch four innings due to taking a comebacker off his left wrist at 108 mph. Manager Terry Francona told reporters after the game that x-rays were negative for any fractures.

The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning when Jake Bauers drove in Andrew Vaughn with an RBI triple to give Milwaukee a 1-0 lead. The Brewers added an insurance run in the eighth on Vaughn’s sacrifice fly that scored Brice Turang.

The Reds struck out 13 times and were held to singles by Nathaniel Lowe and Jose Trevino. Milwaukee pitchers combined on the two-hit shutout, led by Brandon Sproat, who struck out 10 over six innings.

Julian Garcia was charged with the loss in his Major League debut. The outing came 10 years after he was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 10th round of the MLB Draft.

The Reds will try to avoid a sweep Wednesday night at 7:10 p.m. Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — A pitchers’ duel turned into a tough extra-inning loss for the Reds Mondya night as Milwaukee scored twice in the 10th inning to claim a 2-1 victory at Great American Ball Park.

Neither team scored through the first nine innings. Reds starter Brady Singer delivered one of his strongest outings of the season, allowing just two hits over seven shutout innings while striking out seven.

The Brewers broke through in the 10th on a sacrifice fly by Joey Ortiz and added another run on a wild pitch by Tony Santillan.

Cincinnati answered with a run in the bottom of the inning when Sal Stewart drove in Blake Dunn on a groundout, but the rally ended there.

The Reds managed just two hits and struck out 14 times. Milwaukee pitchers combined to allow one run on two hits while recording 14 strikeouts.

With the loss, Cincinnati falls to 37-40 on the season.

The Reds and Brewers meet again Monday night at 7:10 p.m. Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (WMDJ) — Tyler Stephenson’s three-run homer in the fourth inning proved to be the difference as the Cincinnati Reds knocked off the New York Yankees 4-1 Sunday afternoon, taking two of three games in the series.

The Yankees grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the third when Ben Rice launched a solo home run to right-center field.

Cincinnati answered in the fourth. Nathaniel Lowe and Noelvi Marte reached ahead of Stephenson, who blasted a three-run shot to left-center to put the Reds in front 3-1.

The Reds added an insurance run in the ninth when Marte delivered an RBI ground-rule double, scoring Spencer Steer for the final margin.

Marte finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Blake Dunn also collected two hits. Stephenson drove in three of Cincinnati’s four runs.

Chase Burns earned the win, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven over five innings. Taylor Rogers, Sam Moll, Caleb Ferguson and Tony Santillan combined to hold New York scoreless over the final four innings, with Santillan recording his fifth save.

With the victory, the Reds improve to 37-39 and move closer to the .500 mark.

The Reds return home Monday night to open a series against first-place Milwaukee. First pitch from Great American Ball Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds broke open a close game with a four-run fifth inning and a four-run eighth inning to defeat the New York Yankees 10-2 Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees grabbed an early 1-0 lead on a first-inning solo home run by Paul Goldschmidt, but the Reds answered in the third when Sal Stewart lined a two-run double to score Edwin Arroyo and Blake Dunn.

Stewart drove in six runs on the day, adding a sacrifice fly in the fifth and a bases-clearing double in the eighth. Spencer Steer provided the big blow in the fifth with a three-run homer that stretched Cincinnati's lead to 6-1.

Dane Myers capped the scoring for the Reds with an RBI double in the eighth.

Edwin Arroyo led Cincinnati with four hits, while Dunn scored three runs. Stewart finished with two doubles and six RBIs.

Andrew Abbott earned the win after allowing one run on five hits over five innings while striking out six. The Reds bullpen held New York to one run over the final four innings.

The Yankees managed eight hits, with Goldschmidt's home run accounting for their only extra-base hit.

The series rubber match is set for Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m., with the Inside Pitch pregame show beginning at 1:05 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1. Chase Burns is expected to start for Cincinnati against Gerrit Cole for New York.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (WMDJ) — The Reds managed just four hits and struck out 17 times Friday night in a 5-0 loss to the Yankees in New York.

The Yankees broke through in the second inning when Jazz Chisholm Jr. led off with a solo home run. Later in the inning, Ben Rice connected on a three-run homer to make it 4-0.

New York added its final run in the eighth on an RBI single by Anthony Volpe.

Blake Dunn recorded two of Cincinnati's four hits, while Nathaniel Lowe and Eugenio Suárez added one hit apiece.

Rhett Lowder took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked three. Caleb Ferguson and Zach Maxwell finished the game out of the bullpen.

Yankees starter Noah Schlittler dominated the Reds lineup, tossing six scoreless innings while striking out 13.

There was some positive news for Cincinnati on the injury front. During his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, Elly De La Cruz went 2-for-2 with a single and a towering two-run home run that left the bat at 114 mph and traveled 441 feet.

Hunter Greene also looked sharp in a rehab start Thursday night in Arizona. Greene pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out six. He threw 54 pitches, including four at 100 mph or better, with a top velocity of 101.1 mph.

Reds and Yankees face off again from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx tomorrow afternoon starting at 1:35 PM for the first pitch and pregame coverage will begin at 1:05 PM on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Reds missed out on a series sweep Wednesday afternoon, falling to the Mets 9-1 at Great American Ball Park.

New York broke the game open with a three-run third inning and added four more runs in the fifth. The Mets collected 15 hits, led by Bo Bichette's three-hit, three-run performance and Juan Soto's three-hit, two-RBI day.

Cincinnati's lone run came in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by JJ Bleday that scored Jose Trevino. The Reds managed just five hits and struck out nine times against Mets starter Nolan McLean, who earned the win after allowing one unearned run over seven innings.

Nick Lodolo took the loss, giving up seven runs on 11 hits in 4.2 innings. Sal Stewart, Nathaniel Lowe, Noelvi Marte, Jose Trevino and Matt McLain accounted for the Reds' five hits.

Despite the loss, Cincinnati still claimed the series by taking the first two games.

The Reds will have Thursday off before opening a three-game series against the Yankees in New York on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Reds jumped on New York early and never looked back Tuesday night, beating the Mets 5-3 at Great American Ball Park to secure the series victory.

Cincinnati scored four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Sal Stewart and a solo shot from Spencer Steer. Stewart added an RBI single in the fifth inning to finish with four RBIs on the night.

Brady Singer earned the win after allowing one run on three hits over five innings while striking out five. The Reds bullpen held on despite a two-run homer by Mark Vientos in the sixth inning, with Tony Santillan recording his fourth save.

Stewart finished 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs, while Blake Dunn, Spencer Steer and Edwin Arroyo each scored a run.

With the victory, the Reds improve to 35-37 and have clinched the series against the Mets. Cincinnati will go for the sweep Wednesday afternoon in a 12:40 p.m. first pitch at Great American Ball Park.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds erupted early and never looked back Monday night, routing the New York Mets 12-0 at Great American Ball Park for their first shutout victory since May 10.

The Reds scored three runs in the first inning before breaking the game wide open with a six-run second. Eugenio Suárez provided the biggest blows, launching a two-run homer in the first before crushing a grand slam later in the second to finish with six RBIs.

JJ Bleday added four RBIs, including a bases-loaded walk in the second and a three-run homer in the eighth to cap the scoring. Sal Stewart chipped in an RBI single, while Spencer Steer drove in a run with a groundout.

On the mound, Chase Burns earned his eighth win of the season after allowing no runs over five innings while striking out seven. Cincinnati's bullpen finished the six-hit shutout as the Mets were held scoreless despite drawing six walks.

All 12 Reds runs came in just three innings, with half of them crossing the plate during the explosive second inning.

The series continues Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The Inside Pitch pregame show begins at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds couldn't overcome a pair of late Arizona home runs Sunday, falling 5-3 to the Diamondbacks and dropping the series at Great American Ball Park.

JJ Bleday gave the Reds an early spark with a solo home run in the first inning, his 12th of the season, before Tommy Troy answered with a solo shot in the third to tie the game.

Cincinnati regained the lead in the bottom of the third when Eugenio Suárez doubled home Nathaniel Lowe, but the Diamondbacks struck in the sixth as Geraldo Perdomo launched a two-run homer to put Arizona ahead 3-2.

Noelvi Marte continued his recent power surge by tying the game with a solo homer in the bottom half of the inning, his third home run and third in as many games.

The game remained tied until the eighth, when Gabriel Moreno connected for the go-ahead solo homer off Brent Suter. After a rain delay of about an hour before the ninth inning, Arizona added an insurance run on Ketel Marte's RBI single.

Andrew Abbott turned in another solid outing for Cincinnati, allowing just one run over five innings while striking out five. The Reds bullpen surrendered four runs over the final four innings as the Diamondbacks pulled away.

With the loss, Arizona improves to 36-35 and moves back above .500 while Cincinnati falls to 33-37 and remains in last place in the National League Central. Also with this loss, the Reds have lost their fifth straight series. 

The Reds return to action Monday night when they open a series against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with the Inside Pitch pregame show beginning at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds didn't need much offense Saturday, riding a strong pitching performance and a late home run to a 2-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park.

Arizona struck first in the opening inning when Corbin Carroll launched a solo home run to right-center, giving the Diamondbacks an early 1-0 lead.

The Reds answered in the third as Edwin Arroyo lined an RBI single to right, scoring Matt McLain to tie the game at 1-1.

The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the eighth, when Noelvi Marte continued his hot streak by blasting a go-ahead solo homer to left-center for his second home run in as many games, putting Cincinnati in front for good.

Rhett Lowder turned in a strong outing for the Reds, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings while striking out six. Michael Soroka was equally impressive for Arizona, giving up just one run on two hits across seven innings before the Diamondbacks bullpen surrendered the decisive homer.

The victory snaps Cincinnati's three-game losing streak as the Reds look to claim the series in Sunday's finale. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m., with the Inside Pitch pregame show beginning at 1:10 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds let a tie game slip away in the ninth inning Friday night as two costly defensive miscues helped the Arizona Diamondbacks pull away for a 5-2 victory at Great American Ballpark.

Noelvi Marte gave Cincinnati an early 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the second inning, his first of the season.

After Arizona tied the game in the third on a sacrifice fly by Nolan Arenado, the Reds answered in the bottom half when Eugenio Suárez singled home Spencer Steer. A throwing error on the play allowed Suárez to reach second as Cincinnati regained a 2-1 advantage.

The Diamondbacks evened the score in the sixth on LuJames Groover’s RBI single before breaking through in the ninth. A fielding error by left fielder Blake Dunn allowed the go-ahead run to score, and Jordan Lawlar followed with a two-run single to extend Arizona’s lead to 5-2.

Nick Lodolo turned in another solid start for Cincinnati, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings. Brock Burke was charged with the loss after the Diamondbacks scored three unearned runs in the ninth.

The Reds managed just four hits in the game, with Marte’s home run accounting for their only RBI.

The loss continues a difficult stretch for Cincinnati, which has won just one of its last eight games.

The Reds and Diamondbacks meet again this afternoon at Great American Ballpark. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m., with the Inside Pitch pregame show beginning at 3:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

SAN DIEGO, Ca. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds were on the verge of securing a series victory Wednesday afternoon, but a late San Diego comeback ended with a walk-off home run in a 5-4 loss to the Padres.

San Diego struck first in the opening inning when Manny Machado doubled home Jackson Merrill for a 1-0 lead.

The Reds answered in the fourth as Spencer Steer launched a two-run homer to left field, scoring JJ Bleday and giving Cincinnati a 2-1 advantage.

After Fernando Tatis Jr. tied the game with an RBI single in the fifth, the Reds regained control with back-to-back solo home runs. Bleday went deep in the seventh to put Cincinnati ahead 3-2 before former Red Eugenio Suárez added another blast in the eighth for a 4-2 cushion.

The Padres rallied in the bottom of the eighth. Gavin Sheets drove in a run with an RBI double before Samad Taylor tied the game with a single to center.

In the ninth inning, Tatis delivered the decisive blow, lining a walk-off solo home run to left field to give San Diego the 5-4 victory.

Cincinnati collected 10 hits in the loss, with Suárez and Noelvi Marte each recording two. Steer drove in two runs with his 10th home run of the season, while Bleday also homered and scored twice.

Brady Singer turned in a solid start, allowing two runs over six innings while striking out five. Chase Petty was charged with the loss after surrendering the game ending homer.

The Reds are off Thursday before returning to Great American Ball Park to open a weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m., with the Inside Pitch pregame show beginning at 6:45 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

SAN DIEGO, Ca. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds finally put an end to their losing streak Tuesday night, rallying for a 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres in 11 innings at Petco Park.

Tyler Stephenson got the Reds on the board in the second with an RBI single to score Matt McLain, and Cincinnati added another run an inning later when JJ Bleday crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice that included a throwing error by Padres pitcher Lucas Giolito.

San Diego answered in the bottom of the third, cutting the deficit in half on Jackson Merrill’s RBI triple before Manny Machado followed with a game-tying RBI single.

The game remained deadlocked until the 10th inning when Eugenio Suárez lined an RBI double to left, scoring Spencer Steer to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. The Padres responded immediately in the bottom half as Samad Taylor delivered a game-tying RBI single to force another extra inning.

In the 11th, Sal Stewart provided the decisive blow, crushing a two-run homer to center field that scored Blake Dunn and put Cincinnati ahead for good at 5-3.

Chase Burns started for the Reds and struck out seven over 5 1/3 innings while allowing two runs. The win goes to the bullpen's Tejay Antone for his first win on the season and Zach Maxwell getting his first save of the season.

The Reds will look to take the series Wednesday afternoon in the finale at Petco Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m., with the Inside Pitch pregame show beginning at 3:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

SAN DIEGO, Ca. (WMDJ)  — The Cincinnati Reds let a late lead slip away Monday night, falling to the San Diego Padres, 6-2, at Petco Park.

The Reds trailed 1-0 after Freddy Fermin’s solo homer in the third, but tied the game in the fifth on Sal Stewart’s RBI single. Cincinnati then took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Edwin Arroyo brought home Noelvi Marte on a sacrifice fly.

San Diego answered in the seventh, tying the game on Gavin Sheets’ RBI double before taking the lead later in the inning. The Padres added three more runs in the eighth, including a two-run single from Samad Taylor.

Andrew Abbott took the loss for Cincinnati, allowing three runs on four hits over six innings while striking out six.

The Reds drop to 31-34 on the season. They’ll be back at Petco Park tonight against the Padres, with first pitch set for 9:40 p.m. Pregame coverage begins at 9:10 on WMDJ FM 100.1.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WMDJ) — The University of Kentucky is mourning the loss of student-athlete Nic "Happy" Smith.

In a statement released Monday, the university confirmed Smith's death and described it as a tragic loss for the campus community.

Smith was a sophomore in the Community Leadership and Development program within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. He was also a member of the UK football team as a redshirt freshman.

University officials extended condolences to Smith's family, friends and teammates and asked the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time.

The university also reminded students and employees that support resources are available through the Office for Student Success for those affected by the loss.

UK Football Head Coach Will Stein said the team's "hearts are broken" following Smith's death.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Nic's family, friends, teammates and everyone who knew and loved him," Stein said in the statement. "This is a tremendous loss for our program and university community. We will continue to support one another and honor his memory."

The university did not release additional details regarding Smith's death.

Original statement from the University of Kentucky can be found here.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds closed out a disappointing weekend series in St. Louis with a 5-3 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.

Matt McLain provided nearly all of Cincinnati's offense, hitting a pair of solo home runs to give the Reds an early lead and later tie the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning. Tyler Stephenson also homered as Cincinnati built a 2-0 advantage through three innings.

The Cardinals responded in the fifth inning, using an RBI double from Jordan Walker and a two-run homer by Bryan Torres to take a 3-2 lead.

McLain's second home run of the day tied the game in the seventh, but the Cardinals broke through in the eighth. St. Louis scored the go-ahead run when a throwing error by reliever Sam Moll allowed José Fermín to cross the plate. Moments later, another Reds error helped bring home an insurance run to make it 5-3.

Cincinnati finished with 10 hits but went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base.

The loss drops the Reds to 31-33 on the season and 2-12 against National League Central opponents. That's the worst record amongst all teams in the majors against teams inside the same division. 

Cincinnati now heads to San Diego for a three-game series against the Padres before returning home Friday. First pitch Monday night from Petco Park is scheduled for 9:40 p.m., with the Inside Pitch pregame show beginning at 9:10 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds let another late lead slip away Saturday, falling to the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning on RBI singles from Victor Scott II and Masyn Winn. The Reds answered in the third when two runs scored on a Cardinals fielding error before Spencer Steer tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

Cincinnati took its first lead in the fourth inning when Matt McLain launched a two-run home run to left field, putting the Reds ahead 5-3.

The Cardinals chipped away in the fifth on a solo homer by Jordan Walker before completing the comeback in the eighth. Lars Nootbaar delivered the decisive blow with a two-run home run off reliever Sam Moll, giving St. Louis a 6-5 advantage.

McLain drove in two runs with his sixth homer of the season, while Blake Dunn collected three hits. Dane Myers added two hits as the Reds finished with nine hits in the loss.

The game ended with the Reds rallied in the ninth inning to get the bases loaded with two outs and Sal Stewart at the plate. Got to a full count at ended with Stewart hitting a ground ball for the out. 

The Cardinals out-hit Cincinnati 12-9 and erased a Reds lead for the second straight game.

With the loss, Cincinnati falls to 31-32 on the season and drops below .500 for the first time since Opening Day. The Reds will try to avoid a three-game sweep Sunday afternoon in St. Louis. Rhett Lowder is scheduled to start for Cincinnati. First pitch is set for 2:15 p.m., with the Inside Pitch pregame show beginning at 1:45 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds jumped out to an early lead Friday night, but the St. Louis Cardinals rallied for a 10-3 win in the series opener.

Cincinnati scored three runs in the first inning. Sal Stewart doubled in Blake Dunn and Spencer Steer to make it 2-0. Eugenio Suárez followed with an RBI single to score Stewart and give the Reds a 3-0 lead.

St. Louis answered with two runs in the bottom of the first, then tied the game in the third on a solo home run by Alec Burleson.

The Cardinals took the lead in the fifth on an RBI double by Jordan Walker, then broke the game open with six runs in the sixth inning.

Brady Singer took the loss for Cincinnati, allowing four runs, one earned, over four innings.

Game two of the series is Saturday afternoon at 2:15 p.m. Pregame coverage begins at 1:45 p.m. on your live and local radio station, WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds erased an early deficit but couldn't hold on late as the Kansas City Royals scored three runs in the ninth inning for a 5-2 victory Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park.

Kansas City struck first in the opening inning when Vinnie Pasquantino launched a two-run home run, giving the Royals a 2-0 lead.

The Reds answered in the fifth. Blake Dunn connected on a two-run homer to left field, scoring Matt McLain and tying the game at 2-2.

Cincinnati starter Chase Burns turned in another strong outing, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out nine over six innings. The Reds bullpen kept the game tied until the ninth.

Kansas City broke through against Tony Santillan in the final frame. Michael Massey delivered the go-ahead RBI single before Nick Loftin followed with a two-run homer to left-center field, extending the lead to 5-2.

The Royals finished with nine hits, while Cincinnati collected eight. Dunn led the Reds offensively with two hits and both RBIs.

With the win, Kansas City claimed the three-game series two games to one.

The Reds are off Thursday before opening a road series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m., and as always you can catch the Cincinnati Reds all season long on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds erased a three-run deficit and walked off the Kansas City Royals 4-3 in 10 innings Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park.

Kansas City scored all three of its runs in the fourth inning. Jac Caglianone drove in a run with a groundout before Michael Massey delivered a two-run single to give the Royals a 3-0 lead.

The Reds struggled offensively most of the night, managing just four hits, but Spencer Steer sparked the comeback. Steer hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to put Cincinnati on the board, then added another solo shot in the eighth to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Down to their final three outs in the ninth, pinch-hitter Will Benson tied the game with a solo homer to right field.

In the bottom of the 10th, Steer scored the winning run when Blake Dunn lined a walk-off single to right field, giving Cincinnati the victory.

Steer finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two home runs. Andrew Abbott kept the Reds in the game, allowing three runs over six innings while striking out five.

The Reds and Royals wrap up the series Wednesday night at 7:10 p.m. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WMDJ) — Kentucky has added one of the top players in the transfer portal.

Former Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic has committed to the Wildcats for the 2026-27 season.

Momcilovic, a 6-foot-8 forward from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, averaged 16.9 points per game last season. He also shot 48.7 percent from 3-point range, ranking among the nation’s best shooters.

He ranked fifth nationally in made 3-pointers and led the country in 3-point percentage.

Momcilovic also took part in the NBA Combine before deciding to return to college. He was projected as a possible second-round pick before choosing Kentucky.

He had several standout games last season, including a 34-point performance against Cincinnati and a 20-point game against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.

Momcilovic becomes the 14th member of Kentucky’s 2026-27 roster. He joins a frontcourt group that includes Kam Williams, Braydon Hawthorne, Justin McBride and Ousmane N’Diaye.

CINCINNATI, OH (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds fell behind early and never recovered Monday night, dropping a 9-2 decision to the Kansas City Royals at Great American Ball Park.

Kansas City broke the game open in the first inning when Lane Thomas launched a grand slam to give the Royals a quick 4-0 lead. Cincinnati answered with a solo home run from JJ Bleday, his 10th of the season, but the Reds managed just one more run the rest of the way.

The Royals added on with a two-run homer by Jac Caglianone in the fifth, an RBI single from Vinnie Pasquantino in the sixth, a solo homer from Michael Massey in the seventh and a sacrifice fly by Nick Loftin in the ninth.

Bleday accounted for Cincinnati’s first run, while Matt McLain drove in the Reds’ other run with an RBI double in the ninth inning. Cincinnati finished with six hits and struck out 12 times.

One bright spot for the Reds was the Major League debut of top prospect Edwin Arroyo, who collected his first career hit after being called up from Triple-A Louisville following the injury to Elly De La Cruz.

The Reds also announced De La Cruz has been placed on the 10-day injured list with right hamstring tightness. The shortstop is expected to miss two to four weeks, marking the first injured list stint of his Major League career.

Cincinnati will try to bounce back Tuesday night when the Royals return to Great American Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds avoided a three-game sweep Sunday afternoon, defeating the Atlanta Braves 6-4 at Great American Ball Park.

Atlanta jumped in front immediately when Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the game with a home run on the first pitch. It was Acuña's fourth straight game with a homer.

The Reds answered in the bottom of the first when J.J. Bleday doubled home Elly De La Cruz to tie the game. Bleday added another RBI double in the third inning to give Cincinnati a 2-1 lead.

The Reds continued to build their advantage with RBI doubles from Will Benson and P.J. Higgins, along with a sacrifice fly and solo home run from Eugenio Suárez.

Bleday finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Suárez drove in three runs. Spencer Steer and De La Cruz each scored twice as Cincinnati collected 10 hits.

Atlanta got home runs from Acuña and Jorge Mateo, but the Braves stranded eight runners and finished just 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

The Reds improved to 30-28 with the win, while the Braves fell to 40-20.

One concern for Cincinnati came in the first inning when De La Cruz appeared to suffer a leg injury while running out a hit. He was removed from the game and replaced by Matt McLain. According to manager Terry Francona, De La Cruz managed to pull up and stop running before the injury became worse but will be scanned by medical staff Monday morning at 9 am. 

The Reds return to action Monday night when they open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Great American Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The Inside Pitch pregame show begins at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.

CINCINNATI, Oh. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds dropped their third straight game Saturday night, falling to the Atlanta Braves 5-2 at Great American Ball Park.

Atlanta got on the board first in the second inning when Mike Yastrzemski delivered an RBI single to score Ozzie Albies. The Reds answered in the bottom half of the inning as JJ Bleday launched a two-run homer, his ninth of the season, to give Cincinnati a 2-1 lead.

The advantage was short-lived. Ronald Acuña Jr. tied the game with a solo home run in the third inning, then Jorge Mateo put Atlanta ahead for good with a solo shot in the fifth. Matt Olson added another solo homer in the seventh, and Acuña capped the scoring with his second home run of the night in the ninth.

The Braves managed seven hits, with four of them leaving the yard. Acuña finished 2-for-4 with two home runs and two RBIs. Mateo and Olson also homered for Atlanta.

For Cincinnati, Bleday accounted for both runs with his two-run blast and finished with two hits. Elly De La Cruz recorded a triple, while Blake Dunn added a double.

Braves starter Martín Pérez earned the win after allowing two runs on four hits over five innings. Brady Singer took the loss for the Reds after surrendering three runs in five innings.

The Reds have now lost three straight and will try to avoid a series sweep Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m., with the Inside Pitch pregame show beginning at 1:10 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.