Reds move Cingrani to depleted bullpen

Southpaw Tony Cingrani is here to stay.

On Monday, the Reds announced plans to move the rookie to the bullpen to serve as another left-handed option in relief. Cingrani has made seven starts this season over the span of two different stints while filling in for an injured Johnny Cueto. He served as an emergency reserve on Sunday in case Cueto experienced any difficulty in his first start since coming off the disabled list. Fortunately, Cincinnati did not need him as Cueto and the Reds cruised to a 5-1 victory over Milwaukee.

Cingrani said he is happy the club opted to keep him around instead of sending him back down the road to Triple-A Louisville. Even if it means pitching in a different role.

Votto, Phillips continue to sit well in updated fan voting

The third batch of updated National League All-Star voting was released Sunday evening and two Reds continue to lead the way at their respective positions.

Joey Votto continues to sit atop at first base while teammate Brandon Phillips holds down the top spot for second base.

Shin-Soo Choo is the only other Red to appear in the voting leaderboard after ranking ninth among outfielders.

FIRST BASE
1. Joey Votto, Reds: 2,047,945
2. Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks: 1,524,517
3. Allen Craig, Cardinals: 1,191,229
4. Brandon Belt, Giants: 997,066
5. Freddie Freeman, Braves: 924,937

Reds to hold second annual racing night

For the second consecutive year, the Reds will hold a racing night at Great American Ball Park to get folks geared up for the upcoming NASCAR race at Kentucky Speedway. 

Here is the press release highlighting the details...

CINCINNATI (June 14, 2013) - Reds fans and racing enthusiasts should come to the ballpark on Monday, June 17 for an evening of excitement at the second annual Reds Racing Night presented by Kroger. 

NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick will throw a ceremonial first pitch and the Kroger Fan Zone will be packed with a collection of racing showcars, simulators and interactives.

Harvick is currently 5th in Sprint Cup Series with two wins this season, drives the #29 Budweiser NASCAR racecar for Richard Childress Racing and is scheduled to race in the Quaker State 400 at the Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, June 29.

Reds Racing Night schedule of events:

Video: Watch Jay Bruce launch walk-off home run

Jay Bruce entered Friday with four walk-off home runs in his career. The Reds All-Star right fielder had five by the night's end.

Bruce's solo blast in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted Cincinnati past the visiting Brewers, 4-3, and sparked a celebration at home plate. It marked the 11th homer of the season for Bruce and it sent over 35,000 fans at Great American Ball Park home happy.

"I told somebody earlier it never gets old," said Bruce. "I hit homers, but walk-offs are completely different. They're a little sweeter, especially this one because of yesterday."

The Reds are now 4-7 in extra-inning games in 2013.

Reds to hold mass wedding at Great American Ball Park

If you and your special someone have been thinking about tying the knot lately than I have just the time and place for you two to do so.

On Friday, August 2, the Reds are offering couples the chance to say "I do" in the first ever mass wedding at Great American Ball Park.

The couples will have the opportunity to exchange vows on the field before the Reds play host to the arch-rival Cardinals beginning at 7:10 p.m.

Those who choose to take part in the ceremony will get the chance to enjoy an exclusive reception in the luxurious Riverfront Club. The celebratory bash will include an upscale dinner and an open bar. Couples can also be accompanied to the reception by up to 10 of their closest family and friends.

Reds sign Zack Duke to minor league contract

The Reds have signed veteran left-handed pitcher Zach Duke to a minor league contract, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Duke, 30, was recently released by the Washington Nationals after tallying an 8.71 ERA in 12 appearances spanning 20.2 innings.

Duke was assigned to Triple-A Louisville and catcher Konrad Schmidt was released to make room on the roster.

Although Duke struggled in his stint with the Nationals this season, he boasted a respectable 15-5 record and 3.51 ERA in Triple-A last year.

The former highly-touted Pirates prospect was once considered one of the most promising southpaw starting pitchers in the game when he broke into the majors in 2005. He finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in '05 after recording a 1.81 ERA and an 8-2 record as a 22-year-old.

Weekly batch of Reds news and notes

by: Dan Howard

Staff Writer

Welcome to the readers of The Mountain Citizen, a weekly paper located in Inez, Ky. They are scheduled to print my posts beginning in late June. I want to thank The Mountain Citizen Editor Gary Ball and their Sports Editor Ron Hickman for this opportunity.

I guess the St. Louis Cardinals really are that good.

I can’t understand how the Reds can let St. Louis just come into Great American Ballpark and literally bully them into submission. I haven’t been this frustrated with the Reds since last year’s playoff meltdown. Friday’s 9 to 2 loss was hard to swallow, especially with the pitchers giving up 16 hits. Sunday’s bullpen meltdown allowing the Cards to score seven runs in the 10th inning was an embarrassment. What were the Reds trying to do on Sunday night? First, Joey Votto ran the bases like there were land mines laid in the base paths, getting thrown out with ease at third base to end the third inning. Second, shouldn’t someone have told Bronson Arroyo there were two outs in the inning when he popped out on a bunt attempt in the fourth? Third, of the final nine outs the Cardinals recorded in the game, six came via the strikeout. Talk about going down without a fight.

Video: Brandon Phillips flashes some serious leather against Cubs

In case you missed it, Brandon Phillips put his spectacular defensive skills on full display Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field. He didn't waste any time at all to do so, either.

Seen here is the three-time Gold Glove second basemen flashing some serious leather at the expense of Cubs leadoff hitter David DeJesus. Phillips essentially robbed DeJesus of a base hit when he ranged to his left and made a great diving snag on a ball that appeared to be heading into the outfield.

Phillips then bounced to his feet and threw out the runner just in the nick of time to record the out.

I don't care what anyone else says. Phillips is far and away the best defensive second basemen in Major League Baseball right now. Anyone who honestly thinks otherwise has obviously not seen Phillips play defense on a regular basis. The guy can simply pick it.

Video: Brandon Phillips playfully imitates Todd Frazier's batting stance

Brandon Phillips was in a playful mood Wednesday afternoon after Todd Frazier belted a go-ahead home run during the seventh inning.

Frazier's blast put the Reds in front, 2-1, at the time and proved to be the decisive blow as Cincinnati recorded its 12th straight victory at Wrigley Field.

Frazier was immediately greeted in the dugout by all of his teammates after ripping the solo blast and even received an imitation of his batting stance from Phillips during the celebration.

As you can see, Phillips was quite animated in his impersonation. But he was also pretty spot on, don't you think? Below is a look at Frazier's aforementioned solo homer.

Bowden calls Tony Cingrani 'best southpaw starter' in rookie class

Tony Cingrani has been nothing short of impressive in Johnny Cueto's absence this season.

The 23-year-old has compiled a 3-0 record and a 3.15 ERA in seven starts to go along with an immaculate 0.975 WHIP and a 4.60 K/BB in 2013. The former third rounder has been even more impressive in his six Triple-A starts, though, racking up a ridiculous 14.1 SO/9, in addition to a tidy 1.15 ERA and a spotless 3-0 mark.

Needless to say, the organization is very excited about the future of Cingrani. The Reds aren't the only ones, either.

Former general manager and current ESPN analyst Jim Bowden recently called Cingrani the "best left-handed starter" in his rookie class in a piece ranking the top 15 rookies in baseball.

Here is a snippet of what Bowden had to say about Cingrani: