The Reds and Braves played the expected first game of a split double-header Wednesday in Atlanta, Cincinnati setting the tone from the start. Outfielder Spencer Steer drove in 3 runs with 3 extra-base hits, and Elly De La Cruz had a huge day including belting another home run, as the Reds led early, on the way to dominating the slumping Braves, 9-4. Cincy took the lead early in the first inning, and didn’t look back, Steer knocking one score in with a triple, Jake Fraley helping build the early 3-nothing lead with a 2-run homer. Steer also nailed a 2-run double in the 4th, later adding another double, and scoring 2 runs himself. Big day for Fraley as well, with 2 more hits. And there was more– De La Cruz stealing his 50th and 51st bases of the season, now on track to total Cincy’s most since 1988. The Reds sprayed 12 hits all over the field, on the way to the victory. More rain rolled in after, so the second game was reset, for the 9th of September. Today’s an off day for the Reds, as they head for Florida to open a new series in Tampa tomorrow. The Rays and the Reds come to you Friday evening, beginning at 6:20 on the Sports Voice, 103.9 WRBI.
Athleticism from Indiana’s going to be on global display for the Paris Olympics that begin tomorrow. Of course, the man you’ve recently heard on WRBI’s “Overtime,” University of Michigan wrestler Mason Parris from Lawrenceburg, will be a major part of it. Also, IU junior Mariah Denigan competes in the difficult open-water swimming after being named an All-America last year. Purdue grad Devynne Charlton runs the hundred-meter hurdles for the Bahamas. While holding the world record at 60 meters. And of course it’ll be hard to miss Purdue’s 7-foot-4 Zach Edey, in 5-on-5 men’s basketball.
Also, Indiana State swim team member Chloe Farro, from Aruba, will represent her home nation, carrying its flag in the opening ceremony. She’s the first Sycamore chosen to carry their national flag since Bruce Baumgartner did it for the USA, way back in 1988.
Big pro hoops news, with ESPN reporting that the Pacers have re-signed forward James Johnson to a new 1-year deal, for $3.3 million. Johnson’s 37, bringing a veteran presence to an otherwise-young Pacers squad. 2024-25 will be his 16th year in the NBA, a 3rd with Indiana.