Latest news with #GrahamAshcraft
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Elly De La Cruz comes up clutch as Reds down Rays, take series win
Elly De La Cruz certainly looks well-equipped for a playoff race. In fact, the Cincinnati Reds all do when they're rolling like they are right now. But it was De La Cruz, as fans chanted his name, who came up big and brought a crowd of 39,848 to its feet with the game-winning hit against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 26. De La Cruz drove in two runs on a bloop, bases-loaded, two-out single that lifted the Reds over the Rays, 6-2, on a night at Great American Ball Park when hits were in short supply for both clubs for much of the contest. "Everybody likes the big moments," De La Cruz said. "Big crowd, tight game. It was a tight situation." Reds Blue Hats Tampa Bay Rays Here's why the Reds wore blue hats against the Tampa Bay Rays Reds injuries Carson Spiers Hunter Green Reds lose another pitcher: Carson Spiers to have season-ending elbow surgery The victory lifted the Reds to 55-50, equaling the five-games-over-.500 high-water mark they'd already achieved once in 2025. Cincinnati will enter the July 27 series finale against Tampa Bay with the series win in-hand and one game back in the race for the No. 3 Wild Card spot in the National League, trailing the San Diego Padres, who beat St. Louis. Graham Ashcraft was the winning pitcher for the Reds. Andrew Abbott started the game and allowed one run and two hits in six innings as his ERA dropped to from 2.13 to 2.09. "We're playing really good baseball right now," Abbott said. "I think we kind of sat down and had a discussion as a team where we're just kind of like, let's keep stacking series wins. Let's control the things that we can control. Obviously, trying to put ourselves in a situation to be buyers, to be in the playoffs and we're right on the door knocking. We're really just trying to focus on the things that we can do. "So, really just trying to focus on the things we can do and try to get in there, and keep playing well all the way through the end and hopefully at the end, we're in the postseason." A pitchers' duel through five innings, both clubs started to gain traction offensively in the sixth. Yandy Diaz opened the scoring with a solo home run to left-center field to lead off the sixth. The Reds, who sported blue throwback-style caps with a National Baseball Hall of Fame patch in honor of this weekend's induction festivities, came back to take the lead in the bottom of the inning when a hard-hit Austin Hays grounder slid under the glove of Rays' shortstop Taylor Walls. Tampa Bay knotted the game in controversial fashion in its next at-bat. Graham Ashcraft looked to have hit the strike zone for a would-be called third strike against the Rays' Josh Lowe, but home plate umpire Willie Traynor called the offering a ball. The next pitch from Ashcraft was lined into left field for a game-tying single. Reds manager Terry Francona then appeared to argue with Traynor from the dugout and was ejected. Francona came out to the field to continue the dispute and crew chief Todd Tichenor diffused the exchange. Then, De La Cruz delivered his game-winning hit on a full count after initially falling behind, 0-2, versus Rays lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger. "The patience that he has, he's seeing the ball real well over the last couple weeks, or the last couple months, actually," said Reds bench coach Freddie Benavides. "For him to put it in play, especially against one of their top left-handed relievers, so, it was a great at-bat and great things happen when you put it in play." Benavides was the acting manager for Cincinnati after Francona's ejection. T.J. Friedl and Matt McLain tacked on more insurance runs in the eighth inning. Friedl hit a dribbler of a single that extended past Lowe, who entered the game at shortstop. A McLain single made it 6-2. The Reds will go for a sweep of the Rays on July 27, (1:40 p.m.) as Cincinnati's Brady Singer (7-8, 4.84 ERA) is scheduled to start against Tampa's Shane Baz (8-6, 4.66 ERA). This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elly De La Cruz comes up clutch as Reds down Rays, take series win
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Reds lose Graham Ashcraft to injury. Here's what we know
The Cincinnati Reds are down a key arm in the bullpen. Prior to the June 17 series-opener against the Minnesota Twins, the Reds announced righty Graham Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right groin strain. Advertisement Luis Mey was called up from Triple-A Louisville to plug the hole vacated by Ashcraft. 'Whole new level': Reds teammates 'can't explain' Elly De La Cruz performance through grief Johnny Bench: Why greatest catcher in MLB history 'didn't reach the level I could have' Prior to Tuesday's series-opener against the Minnesota Twins, the Reds announced righty Graham Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right groin strain. Ashcraft last pitched in the June 15 series-clinching win against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Ashcraft allowed three hits and two earned runs in the eventual 8-4 victory over what remains baseball's best team. Ashcraft's spot in the Reds bullpen will be a difficult position to plug. Ashcraft (5-4, 4.19 ERA) serves in a high-leverage relief role, and was thought to be in the conversation to close games consistently for Cincinnati, although Emilio Págan has held down that role effectively so far this year. Further information about Ashcraft's injury wasn't immediately available. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Graham Ashcraft placed on injured list due to right groin strain
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Amazing.' The Reds' Tyler Callihan is progressing from his broken arm. Here's the latest
The most notable sight for anyone entering the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse on Wednesday was surely Tyler Callihan. Callihan on May 5 was forced out of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Five days after his MLB debut, Callihan suffered multiple fractures in his left forearm on a play Reds pitcher Brady Singer called 'gruesome to watch,' crashing into the wall in foul territory, glove first, at full speed after what looked like a catch. Advertisement Reds Twins series TJ Friedl Cincinnati Reds fight back to take series opener from Minnesota Twins Reds injuries pitching Graham Ashcraft Cincinnati Reds lose Graham Ashcraft to injury. Here's what we know Forty-four days later, Callihan was situated at a locker room stall at Great American Ball Park. Glove in-hand, he later jogged toward the tunnel that leads toward the Reds' dugout. Reds manager Terry Francona called Callihan's return to the field "amazing." Francona also cautioned the recovery process is ongoing. Tyler Callihan was back in the Reds clubhouse June 18 after suffering multiple fractures in his left forearm when he crashed into the wall in left field attempting to make a catch on May 5. "There's some other things that he's gonna work through," Francona said. "We'll get to that, I think, here in the near future but he's got some decisions to make on how to go with this, so when the time's right, we'll talk about it." Graham Ashcraft 'says he's already feeling a little better' Francona elaborated on Graham Ashcraft's right groin strain situation during his Wednesday meeting with reporters. Ashcraft on Tuesday was put on the 15-day injured list due to the ailment. Advertisement Francona said Wednesday Ashcraft was unsure of how the injury happened, and that it may have been a persistent, nagging one. The first-year Reds manager also added that Ashcraft, who transitioned to a high-leverage relief role this season, is feeling better. Reliever Graham Ashcraft was placed on the injured list Tuesday, June 17 with a strained groin. Manager Terry Francona did say Wednesday Ashcraft was already feeling better. "He said he'd been feeling it for a little while but then he'd pitch, next day he'd be fine," Francona said. "This time in Detroit (Sunday), he felt it a little more but still felt like he (was OK). And then when he got through the day off (Monday) and still felt it, that's when he came in here, so we went and got it looked at. "He says he's already feeling a little better today. I think sometimes, the hope is when guys are trying to compete, when you pull the plug on that part of it and their brain relaxes a little bit, maybe it helps everything." Austin Hays' outlook looking up? Austin Hays might be on the mend and finally tracking toward a return from his third IL stint in 2025. Advertisement Hays' anticipated return last week was scuttled and pushed back due to persistent pain. The pain led to a second MRI on his injured left foot Wednesday, June 11. Hays expected to rejoin the lineup during last week's series win in Cleveland, but after continuing to experience pain during a series of pregame running drills Tuesday, the decision was made to get more testing Wednesday. Newcomer Austin Hays has been productive when in the Reds' lineup, hitting .303 with six home runs, 25 RBIs and a .901 OPS in 31 games, but is on trying to get back from his third stint on the injured list. Hays reported back to the Reds Tuesday, June 17 after an off day, and felt really good, Francona said. "We're gonna have him run in the water and hopefully do some baseball activities, but not necessarily go straight into sprinting yet," Francona said. "Gonna give him a day just because he went from the weekend where he wasn't doing anything. So far, the returns are good." Advertisement Hays is on the IL for the third time this season, all for things related to the left leg. In between IL stints, he's hitting .303 with six home runs, 25 RBIs and a .901 OPS in 31 games. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Amazing.' The latest on Cincinnati Reds' Tyler Callihan's recovery
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wade Miley's future as uncertain as Cincinnati Reds' rotation depth after flexor injury
ST. LOUIS – Whether veteran pitcher Wade Miley is done for the season – or his career – the left-hander's latest setback with his surgically repaired elbow has left the Cincinnati Reds staring at their biggest pitching-depth deficit of the year at a critical time on the schedule. Miley landed on the 15-day injured list Friday just three appearances back from Tommy John surgery after an MRI Thursday revealed a 'little tear' in the flexor tendon near the surgically repaired ligament. Wade Miley during his last start, in Detroit, where he gave up two earned runs in five innings of a Reds victory. He's the second Reds pitcher in four days to go on the IL, joining reliever Graham Ashcraft (groin). Opening Day starter Hunter Greene also is on the 15-day IL with a groin injury that's expected to keep him out until next month, and the Reds have three more starters on the 60-day IL (Carson Spiers, Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar). Advertisement Reds Tony Perez Big Red Machine 'I cried.' How Tony Perez defined rise and fall of Big Red Machine Reds Cardinals series Brady Singer Cincinnati Reds look to continue upswing against St. Louis Cardinals. In the short term, the Reds pulled right-hander Chase Petty from a scheduled start Thursday for Triple-A Louisville, and he joined the club in St. Louis (on the taxi squad) Friday ahead of a likely start in Miley's place Saturday – pending how the bullpen looks after Friday night's game. Manager Terry Francona said no decisions have been made how to fill the Miley void after Saturday. Chase Petty has joined the Reds on the taxi squad and would appear to be one of the options to start in place of Wade Miley on Saturday. And, yes, top prospect Chase Burns, who has been lights out at three minor-league levels this season, has been part of the wide-ranging discussions. Advertisement 'There's a lot to think about when that decision's being made, not just winning one game,' Francona said. 'He's done a great job. There's no denying that at all.' The Miley news came as a surprise to Miley, who felt more soreness than usual in the days after Sunday's start in Detroit but planned to power through on Saturday until the MRI revealed what the club is calling a 'strain.' 'I decided to get it looked at just for a little peace of mind, thinking I was going to be fine,' said Miley, who was just three appearances back from Tommy John surgery, including a pair of five-inning starts. 'And there's a little tear in there. 'This one sucks, no doubt. I felt like I was getting really close to where I wanted to be.' Advertisement Miley, 38, said he was told the ligament remains sound, and it's possible he might be able to return to the mound this season. But it's not a short-term process, and he talked about the heavy mental lift of another lengthy rehab process after more than a year working back from the elbow surgery. He said he planned to take some downtime before 'jumping to any decisions right away' but didn't rule out retirement depending on follow-up consultations with the medical staff. 'There's always that thought,' he said. 'I've been able to play this game as long as I have. 'I do love the game. I still love to compete,' he added. 'I love that moment. … Either way it's a win-win. If I come back it's a win. And if this is it, I can't ask for anything more than what I was able to be a part of in this game.' Advertisement For now he'll spend time with his 8-year-old and 16-month-old sons and listen to doctors during the shut-down period required regardless, he said. 'I think he's got a lot of emotions going right now,' Francona said. 'We told him we will support whatever he wants to do, or doesn't want to do.' For bullpen insurance Friday, the Reds recalled hard-throwing Connor Phillips, who has pitched well lately at Triple-A Louisville after struggling in the minors since a five-start big-league debut in 2023. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Wade Miley mulls future, Cincinnati Reds weigh options after injury
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Reds place RHP Graham Ashcraft on 15-day IL, recall RHP Luis Mey
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds placed right-handed reliever Graham Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain on Tuesday. Ashcraft, whose move was retroactive to June 16, is one of the Reds' most dependable relievers, going 5-4 with a 4.19 ERA in 19 appearances with 38 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings over 29 appearances. Advertisement In his most recent outing in Sunday's 8-4 win at Detroit, Ashcraft allowed three hits and two earned runs in one inning. To fill Ashcraft's spot in the bullpen, the Reds recalled hard-throwing rookie Luis Mey from Triple-A Louisville. Mey has made 14 appearances, going 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 13 innings. Cincinnati has won seven of its last 10 games to climb within 2 1/2 games of the third NL wild card spot. ___ AP MLB: Jeff Wallner, The Associated Press
