Jim’s Journal, July 6th, 2024

It was a tough Friday night for the Reds at home, as they followed that sweep of the Yankees in New York by dropping Game 1 of a new series, 5-4 to the Detroit Tigers.

The Reds scored twice in the bottom of the 9th inning, but it wasn’t enough, as they came up just a run short.  There were some spectacular plays earlier, though, like Stuart Fairchild extending at least half his arm above the center field wall to take a clear home run away from Detroit, but Colt Keefe parked 2 other homers for the Tigers.

Late in the contest, Nick Martini hit a run-scoring triple to get Cincinnati within 1 score, but his pinch runner was thrown out at the plate moments later, and that was it, again Detroit wins it 5-4.

The series resumes this afternoon, with the 2nd of the 3 games.  The broadcast arrives on your radio at 3:40, so be sure to be here for all the action of the Reds and the Tigers, on the Sports Voice, 103.9 WRBI.

 

Also of local interest in the major leagues– former Batesville Bulldog Bryan Hoeing was brought back to the Miami Marlins’ major-league roster Friday, off the injured list and rehab of his left hamstring, to start for the Marlins against Chicago’s White Sox.

Hoeing’s slider was particularly effective, helping him strike out 4 Chicago batters in the game, including the first 2 in a row he faced. Bryan’s sinker and split-fingered fastball were also tough for the Sox to handle, but Chicago went on to win the game 3-2.  Hoeing only went 3 innings, but again he looked pretty sharp striking out 4 batters, concluding with a 1.99 ERA.

No firm word yet, but Bryan could be heading back toward more of a starting role, after being mostly a reliever this year.

 

And in IndyCar, championship leader Alex Palou paced the opening practice at Mid-Ohio Friday.  Mixed weather conditions prevented most of the field from enough track time to give the new INDYCAR hybrid system a full workout.  Qualifying’s this afternoon, with the race tomorrow.

 

Be sure to join us Monday evening for another “Overtime” with Terrance Arney and Leon Smith, just after our 6:00 news block.  This time the guys will be talking with college and Olympic wrestler Mason Parris, a member of Team USA from Lawrenceburg.  Overtime, shortly after 6 Monday night and before Reds baseball, on the Sports Voice, 103.9 WRBI.