Harang And Reds Look Sharp, Beat Astros

By: Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were hosting the Houston Astros in the 2nd game of the 3 game series, Cincinnati was trying to go 10 over .500, while the Astros were just trying to get a win, even though they need about 15 more wins to be close to the Reds.  Aaron Harang was on the hill for the Reds, he pitched well, and for the 2nd night in a row, the Reds had the bats going, as the Reds win 12-2, here's how.

To start things off, in the 2nd inning, Manzella hit an RBI ground out, it was 1-0 with Houston on top.  The Reds would score in their half of the 2nd inning as well, in fact they got not 1, but 2 runs in that inning.  The first run was off of a solo home run for Jay Bruce, the other run was off of an RBI single for Ramon Hernandez, and it was 2-1, Cincinnati on top.  The Reds would score again in the 3rd when Cairo hit an RBI double that plated Cabrera, it was 3-1, but the Reds would score 5 more runs in that inning.  Scott Rolen hit a single that plated two runners, then Jay Bruce would hit a 2-run jack, and Hernandez would hit his first homer of 2010, it was a solo home run, and it was 8-1.  The Reds scored again in the 4th when Cairo hit a solo home run, his 2nd as a Red, it was 9-1.  In the 5th inning, Drew Stubbs and Ramon Hernandez were fighting over who was taller, so they went back-to-back to found out, it was 11-1.  Then, in the 7th inning, Paul Janish hit an RBI single to plate Stubbs, it was 12-1.

The Astros would get a run in the 9th off of a sac fly by Manzella, it was 12-2, and that is how it finished.  The Reds are now 2 games ahead in the NL Central, and are 10 over .500 with a record of 30-20.  As for Harang, he picks up the win and goes 7 innings, gave up 4 hits, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 4 K's.  A nice preformance from the Reds in front of a crowd of 32,000 plus.

The Reds will try and complete the sweep tomorrow, as it is Mike Leake (4-0, 2.70 ERA) against Felipe Paulino (0-7, 5.08 ERA).  The game will be at 1:10 PM ET and televised on FS Ohio.

SWO SPORTS MLB Rankings

TOP 10
1.) Rays (BEST IN MLB)
2.) Yankees (2nd in AL EAST)
3.) Reds (BEST IN NL)
4.) Cardinals (2nd in NL CENTRAL)
5.) Padres (1st in NL WEST)
6.) Blue Jays (3rd in AL EAST)
7.) Phillies (1st in NL EAST)
8.) Dodgers (2nd in NL WEST)
9.) Red Sox (4th in AL EAST)
10.) Braves (2nd in NL EAST)

Sam LeCure Pitches Well, Reds Hit Great

By:  Cooper Ledford

The 1st Place Cincinnati Reds were hosting the Houston Astros, Friday, to start a three game series.  Sam LeCure was making his MLB debut, and the Reds were trying to stay in 1st place, for if they lost, they would be tied with St. Louis, but they won 15-6.  Be prepared for a LONG recap, because I am going to talk about all the scoring plays and Sam LeCure's pitching preformance.  Start time: 10:55 PM ET (Just so you know how long it takes me to make this).

To start things off, in the 1st inning, the Astros scored first when Hunter Pence hit a solo home run, his 8th homer of the season, it was 1-0.  

The Reds would get a run in their half of the 1st inning, when Brandon Phillips tied it up with a solo home run.  Same inning, Jonny Gomes would hit a triple, it plated Rolen, it was 2-1.

The 'Stros would tied it up in the 3rd, when Pence hit an RBI single, it was 2-2.  So, the game would be close for the rest of the game?   Not a bit.

The Reds would score three runs in the bottom of the 3rd, the first one was off of Scott Rolen's bat, as he hit an RBI double, then the other two runs were off of the bat of Jonny Gomes, as he hit a 2-run home run, it was 5-2.  Later on, in the 4th inning, Brandon Phillips hit a single, which plated two runners, it was 7-2.  Then, same inning, Jay Bruce would get an RBI, as he walked which brought a runner home, it was 8-2.   In the bottom of the 6th inning, Jonny Gomes would get ANOTHER hit, as he hit an RBI single, it was 9-2.  Same inning, Drew Stubbs hit an RBI single, it was 10-2, the Reds were still not done though, not even in that inning.  Drew Sutton came on to pinch hit whith the bases loaded, and then it happened, you know what I am talking about, a GRAND SALAMI, it was 14-2!

Houston would end Cincinnati's HUGE rallies in the 7th inning, when Carlos Lee hit an RBI double to plate Pence, it was 14-3.  Then, in the 8th inning, Blum hit an RBI ground out, it plated Manzella, it was 14-4.  Same inning, Bourn hit an RBI single, and then the former Red, Jeff Keppinger hit an RBI double, it was 14-6.  So Houston was alomst somewhat close to being back in it...right?  Maybe not.

In the bottom of the 8th, Hernandez hit an RBI single, it was 15-6, and that is how she finished.  Jonny Gomes, just so you know, was a double shy of the cycle, in his last at bat, he hit an easy single, but there was a runner in front of him, Cairo.  If Cairo was not on, Gomes probably would have been aggressive and tried for 2nd, but he couldn't, but a good night indeed for Gomes.

As for Sam LeCure, he went 6.0 innings, gave up 6 hits, 2 ER, 4 BB, and fanned 5.  Congratulations to Sam LeCure on a great MLB debut as he gets the win.  The Reds are now 9 games over .500.

End Time: 11:15 PM ET (Told ya' it would take me a while)

Reds Take 3-out-of-4 From Pittsburgh

By: Cooper Ledford


The Cincinnati Reds were leading the series against the Pirates 2 games to 1, and were trying to win game number 3 of the 4 game series, and that they did, as they expload early on, and win 8-2, here's how.

In the 1st inning, to start things off, Scott Rolen hit a 3-run home run, followed by a solo home run by Jay Bruce, early on it was 4-0.  Then, in the 2nd inning, Brandon Phillips reached on a throwing error, which allowed Orlando Cabrera to score, it was 5-0.  Same inning, Drew Stubbs hit a single which plated Phillips and Gomes, it was then 7-0.  Then, in the 7th inning, Jonny Gomes hit a sac fly to bring around Rolen, it was 8-0.

Pittsburgh would get on the board in the 8th inning, when Iwamura hit an RBI single, then they would cash in a run in the 9th when Cedeno hit an RBI double, it was 8-2, and that's how it finished.

Johnny Cueto picks up the win after going 6.0 innings, only giving up 3 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, and 9 K's.  Another great start for Johnny Cueto.

Next, the Reds host the Astros, Sam LeCure will make his MLB debut Friday, first pitch is at 7:10 PM ET on FS Ohio.

Reds Stand Alone Atop the NL Central

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, a game in which I attended, the Reds won 4-0, here is how.

In the 2nd inning, Orlando Cabrera hit a sac fly to bring Stubbs in, it was 1-0.  Later on, in the 5th inning, Miguel Cairo hit his first homer as a Red, it was a solo shot, and it was 2-0.  The Reds would get the other two runs when Carbrera hit an RBI single in the 6th, and when Chris Heisey hit a solo home run in the 8th, and the Reds win 4-0. 

Leake Shines, But Rest of Team, Not so Much

By: Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were hosting the Pirates in game two of the series, the Reds were trying to extend their 4 game winning streak against Pittsburgh, to 5 games.  Unfortunatly for the Reds, the winning streak became a losing streak, and the Buccos beat the Reds, 2-1.  Here is how.

It was a scorless game, until the top of the 8th, when Neil Walker hit an RBI double, after Iwamura hit a triple, which should have been an out to Drew Stubbs, but Stubbs lost the ball, and it landed 30 ft. behind him, and it was 1-0.

Brandon Phillips would tie the game up in the bottom half of the 8th, when he hit his 100th home run of his career, it was 1-1, but not for long.

Pittsburgh would take the lead off of Nick Masset in the 9th, when Ryan Doumit hit a solo home run, it was 2-1 and that is how the "Good Old, Good One" ended. 

So, take away Nick Masset and Drew Stubbs, perhaps Dusty Baker (for replacing Rhodes in the 9th for Masset), and the Reds would be a whole game ahead of St. Louis, but instead they are tied for first.

Mike Leake pitched great, as usual, should have been a shut-out (thanks Drew Stubbs), but instead, he leaves after 7.1 innings, gave up 10 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 3 K's.

Reds Tied For 1st Place, Beat Pirates

The Cincinnati Reds were hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates, after Cincinnati took 2 out of 3 from the Indians, the Reds were now trying to go into a tie with St. Louis for first place in the NL Central, and that they did as they beat the Pirates, 7-5. 

I do not have enough times to say any plays, as I am busy....exams are coming up :(

I will have a recap for tomorrow's game.

Thanks.

Reds Back In 1st Place!

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds are back in 1st place after beating the Cleveland Indians, while they got help from the Angels, as they beat the Cardinals.  The Reds are now .5 games ahead of the Red Birds, and they beat the Tribe, 6-4, here is how.

To start off the scoring, in the 1st inning, Joey Votto hit an RBi single to plate Brandon Phillips, and the Reds had a 1-0 lead.  Still in the 1st, Jay Bruce hit an RBI single to bring Votto home, it was 2-0.  The Reds would make it a four run lead in the 4th when the red-hot Laynce Nix hit a two run home run, his 4th of the year.  Cincinnati would make it 5-0 in the 5th inning, when Scott Rolen hit a sac fly to bring Phillips home. 

The Indians would get on the board in the bottom of the 6th when Travis Hafner hit a two run johnson, it was 5-2.  The Reds would answer back in the 7th, when Jay Bruce hit another RBI single, it plated BP, it was 6-2. 

So, the Reds had it in control right, a four run lead going into the 9th right...WRONG!  The Indians scared the Reds, and made Francisco Cordero look bad, as they scored two runs in the 9th inning.  They were both scored off of a single by Crowe, but Cordero was able to get out of a jam or two, and the Reds capture win number 25, as they are 7 games over .500. 

Johnny Cueto got the win, as he had a solid start, he went 6 innings, gave up 4 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, and 5 K's.  Tomorrow will be the final game of the series, as the Reds will try to remain in 1st place in the NL Central.  The game is at 1:05 PM ET and will be televised on FS Ohio, be sure to watch and see if Homer Bailey can keep the Redlegs atop the Central.

Reds Rumor: Cincy Interested in Oswalt?

By:  Cooper Ledford

You may have heard the rumors that the Reds are interested in Houston's pitcher, Roy Oswalt, well I am here to tell you, that is true.  As Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo are entering their final year of their contracts, the Reds would need to find another pitcher, preferably better ones.  So the Ultimate Reds killer, Roy Oswalt looks the part.  The reason why the Reds even consider him to join is because, 1.) He demands to be traded from Houston, he wants to win.  2.) He can't beat the Reds anymore.  I don't think that Oswalt will come to Cincinnati because if the Reds want to get rib of Bronson and Harang, why not bring up Travis Wood or Aroldis Chapman?

Cincinnati Cyclones Win Kelly Cup!

By:  Cooper Ledford

SWO Sports does not cover the Cincinnati Cyclones (Due to lack of popularity), but I am still a fan of the 'Clones.  The Cincinnati Cyclones win the ECHL Title, there 2nd in 3 years.  The Cyclones beat Idaho in 5 games, 4-1. 

The Cyclones were thrilled after time expired, and it gave the city of Cincinnati their only championship victory since 2008 (when the Cyclones won the Kelly Cup), and if the Cyclones were not in existance, it would be the city's first since 1990 (when the Reds won the World Series).

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CINCINNATI CYCLONES.

If you like the Cyclones, please leave a comment, and maybe we can try and cover the Kelly Cup Champions, the Cincinnati Cyclones, next year.

Reds Put Bad Loss Behind Them

By: Cooper Ledford

The 2nd place Cincinnati Reds were starting Interleague play, as they were talking on their in-state rivals, the Cleveland Indians.  The Reds were trying to put a terrible loss to Atlanta behind them, and that they did, as they beat the Tribe 7-4, here's how.

To start things off, in the 1st inning, Bronson Arroyo gave up a solo home run to Shin-Soo Choo, it was 1-0 Indians.  The Reds would tie it up in the 3rd, when Laynce Nix hit a solo shot to right field, it was 1-1.  Cincinnati would then get 3 runs in the top-of-the-4th, the first two runs came off the bat of Jonny Gomes, as he hit a 2 run jack, it was 3-1.  The other run that came across in that inning was off of Ryan Hanigan's bat, as he hit an RBI single to plate Nix, it was 4-1.

However, that 3 run lead would not last too long, in the 5th inning, Trevor Crowe hit an RBI double, it was 4-2, in that same inning, Choo would hit another homer, it was a two-run-home run, it was 4-4, the game was tied.  There would be no more scoring until the 6th inning, in which the Reds got 2 runs.  The first run was scored when Nix hit an RBI double to plate Gomes, it was 5-4, the Reds regained their lead.  The other run was plated when Orlando Cabrera hit an RBI single to plate Nix, it was a two-run-lead for Cincinnati.  Then, the Reds would get another run in the 9th inning, that was when Brandon Phillips hit a high homer to right fieldm it was 7-4.  The best part about that home run was that Phillips actually hustled around the bases, which could have only been because he did not think the ball made it out of the park, and just thought that it was off the wall, but whatever. 

Arroyo is the winner, as he goes 6.2 innings, 7 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, and 2 K's, Bronson is now 4-2.  Tomorrows game is not televised because Fox Sports is stupid, and there is some crazy blackout law, it's a dumb thing, so we have to listen to it on radio only, be sure to tune in at 7:10 PM ET on 700 WLW, either JB or I will try and make a recap for tomorrow's game, but it could be delayed.

Reds Sweep Brew Crew...Walkoff Style

By:  Cooper Ledford

The 1st place Cincinnati Reds were hosting the Milwaukee Brewers, today.  The Reds were trying to remain in 1st place, and the Brewers were trying to end their 7 game losing streak, which they did not do, and the Reds win, 4-3, as they score 3 in the 9th inning.

To start off the scoring, in the top of the 1st, Ryan Bruan hit a solo home run, it was 1-0 with the Brewers on top.  Same inning, McGeehe hit an RBI single to plate the Prince, it was 2-0.  Then, in the bottom of the 1st, Jonny Gomes hit an RBI double to bring in Heisey, it was a one run game.  In the Brewers' 8th inning, they got two runs One was when McGeehe hit an RBI double, and when Carlos Fisher threw a wild pitch, which allowed Braun to score, it was 4-1.  The Reds would get a run in their part of the 8th too, via solo homer by Joey Votto, it was 4-2 with Milwaukee still on top.

The Reds were down by 2 in the bottom of the 9th, and batting was Scott Rolen, he hit his 8th homer of the season, it was a two-run jack, then when Joey Votto was at the plate, and Heisey and Phillips on base, he hit an RBI single to score Heisey, and the Reds win 5-4.

The winner is Homer Bailey, as he goes 7 innings, gave up 4 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, and 4 K's.  The Reds have now won 10 games in their final at-bat.

Next, the Reds travel to Atlanta for a 2 game series.

Reds Stay in 1st as they Beat Brewers in Game 1

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Reds win 6-3, no recap is any longer avalible, I appologize, blame the Reds.  Reds blew it open late in the game.  Cueto gets the win.

Reds...1st Place!

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds can finally include "First Place" in their title, while not talking about the 70's, 1990, or 2006, but 2010.  The Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals, who had a 1 1/2 game lead over the Reds, 7-2 on Sunday to send the Reds atop the NL Central.  I attended this game, and it was a great game, and a good sized crowd.  Here is how the scoring took place.

In the 1st inning, with Carbera on base, Scott Rolen hit a two-run jack to right field, and the Reds had an early 2-0 lead.  The Reds would add on to their lead in the 3rd inning, when Rolen hit an RBI single to plate Votto, it was 3-0.  In the same inning, Jonny Gomes hit a sac fly to bring Votto home, and the Reds were up by four.

The Red Birds got on the board in the 5th, when Tyler Greene hit an RBI groundout, it was 4-1.  Cincinnati would get some more runs in the 5th when Bronson Arroyo hit a single that scored Bruce and Gomes, and it was 6-1.  Cincinnati would get another run in that inning, when Orlando Cabrera hit an RBI single to plate Hanigan, it was 7-1.  St. Louis would then get the final run of the game in the 7th, when LaRue hit a solo home run, it was 7-2, and that's how the game ended.

Bronson Arroyo went all 9 innings, gave up 7 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, and 4 K's off of 103 pitches.  As Arroyo goes to 3-2 on the season, the Cardinal's pitcher, Brad Penny falls to 3-4.

Next, the 1st place Reds will host the Brewers for a two game series.

Reds Win Civil Rights Game

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were trying to even up the series against the St. Louis Cardinals, and that they did as they won 4-3 in front of a sell-out crowd for the 2nd Civil Rights Game.  Here is how the runs were scored.

To start things off, Schumaker hit a sac fly to score Fresse, it was 1-0 with the Cards on top in the 2nd inning.  The Reds would tie the game up in their half of the 2nd inning, when Ramon Hernandez hit an RBI single to cash in a run, then the Red Birds would take the lead back in the 3rd when Colby Rasmus hit a solo homer, it was 2-1.  The Redlegs would tie it up once again, this time in the bottom of the 4th, when Jonny Gomes hit a solo home run, a monster home run to left, it was 2-2, and Gomes is still Red hot.

Cincinnati would take the lead for the first time in the game in the 6th inning when Drew Stubbs hit a two-run RBI triple, and Stubbs is suddenly looking like an actual good baseball player, and the score was 4-2.  In the 9th inning, the Cards got a run, as Schumaker hit an RBI single, it was 4-3.  With a runner on 1st, and two outs, Joe Mather was batting, and he hit it to left field, the runner was being waved home, and Heisey picked the ball up, went to the cut-off man, Cabrera, and Cabrera fired it to Hernandez, and Hernandez got the tag on the runner, Schumaker, to end the game.

"That's a defensive version of a walkoff" said Chris Welsh.

So, the Reds win in front of 41,000 and some odd numer fans, which included people such as Hank Aaron and The Say Hay Kid, Willy Mays.

Next, the Reds will play in the rubber game, as Bronson Arroyo will face-off against Brad Penny, game time is set for 1:10 PM ET and will be on FS Ohio.

SWO Sports New Member...JB

Lives in Cincinnati, OH.

Same school as Cooper Ledford.

Plays Catcher.

First time on internet (deal with his...stuff).

Reds fan, Bengals fan, Ohio State fan, Bearcats fan.

Reds Fall Short to Cards

By:  JB

The Cincinnati Reds were trying to continue their five game winning streak, while the Cards were trying to take their anger from being swept by Houston, out on the Reds.  The Cards ended up winning 4-3, here is how.

To start things off, Albert Pujols hits a 2 bomb in the top of the 3rd inning, its was 2 to 0 St. Louis. Then, the Cardinals hit a 2 run home run in the 5th inning ,by Ryan Ludwick 4 to 0.

The Reds get on the board in the bottom of the 7th inning 4 to 2.Then, the Reds will get their lastg run in the bottom of the 9th inning and that is how the game ended.

Tomorrow is the Civil Rights Game  first pitch 7:10 on FSN OHIO

SWO Sports is Back!

By: Cooper Ledford

I have decided to re-open SWO Sports.  I have decided to do this because I have found someone to help me write articles, he goes to my school.  SWO Sports may close again, but not anytime in the very near future.

If you want to join SWO Sports...

If you want to join SWO Sports, here is how you can join:

You can leave a comment on here, or if you have a Youtube, go to www.youtube.com/Redsfancoop. 

To make recaps on the Reds games, here is what you do:

Go to http://www.reds.com/, find the article on the game you wish to make a recap of, then go to scoring plays, and type all of them onto a New Post on this blog.  Then tell how the starting pitchers did, and when the next game is.  Also, to start off an article, please tell a bit about the game, and just not do the scoring plays.

NO MONEY IS INVOLVED!

Why SWO Sports is temporarily Closed

Hello, I am Cooper Ledford.  SWO Sports is temporarily closed due to a few reasons.  One reason is that I am very busy with school and other things that are probably more important than this website.  Another reason is that I am the only one (as of now) that is writing articles for this website, and it is getting to be a lot to do, even if it is just one Reds game each day.  There was another person who wrote articles with me, but I am unsure what happened to him.  I have not talked to him in nearly a month. 

The site will be closed until I find more people to write articles.  If I do not have at least 2 more people by the end of the year, I will delete swosports.blogspot.com forever.

Thank you,
Cooper.

If you are interested in helping out with SWO Sports, comment on this article, OR, if you have a YouTube account, comment on my YouTube Profile.

Jeremy...Where Are You?

JEREMY....WHERE ARE YOU?

PLEASE EMAIL ME ON YOUTUBE.

ARE YOU OKAY?

Reds Splash To Winning Record

By:  Cooper Ledford

The Cincinnati Reds were visiting the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday.  The Reds were coming off of a sweep over Houston, and were looking to go over .500.  The Reds were able to win and go over .500, they are 12-11, they win 3-2, here is how.

To start things off, in the 3rd inning, Matt Holliday hit a two-RBI single to score John Jay and Schumaker, it was 2-0 Cards on top.  Cincinnati would get on the board in the 4th, when Jay Bruce hit an RBI single to score Phillips, it was 2-1.  Then, the rain started coming down in St. Louis, the Reds knew they needed to get some runs, so if they decided to call the game, they would get the win.  In the top of the 6th, the Reds tied it up when Bruce hit an RBI single to score Votto.  The Reds would then take the lead, in the same inning, when Jonny Gomes hit an RBI single to score Bruce, it was 3-2.  There was then a 2 hour and 30 minute rain-delay, but the game either had to be played on later, or be a suspended game, they could not call it a game, since the Reds hit in the 6th, meaning that the Cards had to hit in the 6th as well.  The game was picked back up at about 12:30 AM ET, and no runs were scored, that gave the Reds a win.

Johnny Cueto gets his first win of the season, he is now 1-1, he went 5.0 innings, gave up 2 ER, 5 hits, fanned 3, and walked 1.

The loser is Brad Penny, he is now 3-1, he went 6.0 innings, gave up 3 ER, 8 hits, fanned 3, and walked 5.

Cordero gets his 9th save of the season.