The Cincinnati Reds issued this release:

             CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced the acquisition of RHP Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres in exchange for IF/OF Yonder Alonso, RHP Brad Boxberger, C Yasmani Grandal and RHP Edinson Volquez.

             Latos, 23, last season for the Padres went 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA in 31 starts and a career-high 194.1 innings. He ranked among the National League leaders in ERA (18th), strikeouts (14th, 185 in 194.1ip), opponents’ batting average (9th, .233) and strikeouts per 9 innings ratio (9th, 8.57). In his last 17 starts of the season, Latos posted a 2.94 ERA and held opposing righthanded batters to a .156 average, the best mark in the Major Leagues over that span.

             “Mat is a big, strong young pitcher with electric stuff,” Jocketty said of the 6-6, 224-pound righthander. “We consider him to be a potential number one starter who, contractually, we have under control for four more years. To acquire a pitcher who is ready to fit into the top of a rotation, you have to give up talent.”

            In 2011, Latos ranked sixth in the National League and T12th in the majors by holding righthanded batters to a .204 average. In his 31 appearances he made 20 quality starts, tied for the lead on the Padres’ staff and just 1 shy of his career high. Three times Latos was the starting pitcher when the Padres snapped what at the time were season-long losing streaks.

            In 72 Major League appearances, all starts, Latos has produced a 3.37 career ERA. In 2010, he tied a Major League record by allowing 2 runs or fewer in 15 consecutive starts.

             Volquez (20gs, 5-7, 5.71) and Alonso (47g, .330, 5hr, 13rbi) played for the Reds last season. Boxberger (55g, 2-4-11, 2.03) pitched at Class AAA Louisville and Class AA Carolina, while Grandal (105g, .305, 14hr, 68rbi) played at Class A Bakersfield, Carolina and Louisville. Volquez is eligible for arbitration for the second time.

December 5, 2011 – Southern League (SL) Pensacola Blue Wahoos
(Pensacola, Florida) – Ending a blogospheric whirlwind of speculation and anonymously sourced reports, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos today confirmed that Jim Riggleman will be managing the Double-A franchise of the Cincinnati Reds in Pensacola.

Riggleman, a well-seasoned Major League operative, has worked with several Major League clubs including the Padres, Cubs, Mariners, Giants, and Cardinals. Most recently, Riggleman was manager of the Washington Nationals.

Riggleman stated that he was looking forward to working with the Blue Wahoos and being a part of the Reds organization in Pensacola.

“I’m exited about this opportunity to work with the Cincinnati Reds organization and be a part of Pensacola’s venture into a Major League Baseball franchise,” said Riggleman. “Working and playing at the Double-A level has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my baseball career so far. It’s a tremendous environment to work and play in, because these players have tremendous talent. having already worked their way into a Major League Franchise. But each organization has two or even three Single-A teams, and that talent is funneled up to the Double-A level. These guys can see the big leagues from here. They are hungry to win, hungry to prove themselves. I think it’s going to be a fantastic experience for the Blue Wahoos fans, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Blue Wahoos team owner Quint Studer said he was excited about RIggleman coming to Pensacola. “Jim is going to be a tremendous asset to the Blue Wahoo club, and I’m excited about the wealth of leadership he brings to the team,” said Studer. “This is another milestone in this long journey to bringing a Major League franchise to Pensacola, and I’m thrilled to have Jim’s talent and experience, as well as the entire Reds organization, be a part of that.”

Bruce Baldwin, president of the Blue Wahoos, echoed Studer’s sentiments. “I’ve known Jim Riggleman for a long time, and I can tell you he’s one of the good guys,” said Baldwin. “He’s a professional, he sets high expectations, and he knows how to get the most out of the guys on the field. It’s a real testament to the Blue Wahoos and the Reds organization as a whole for us to get a talent like Jim.”

Baldwin said that details were still being worked out with Riggleman, but that he was anticipating his arrival after the first of the year. Baldwin also noted that Riggleman and other executives from the Cincinnati Reds would be visiting later this week as part of a farm team tour of the Blue Wahoos organization.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -

Three-time All-Star Sean Casey, Big Red Machine infielder Dan Driessen and 19th century first baseman John Reilly will be the next three players inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Casey was selected by the fans through the Modern Player Ballot presented by Cincyfavorites.com. The Veterans Committee selected Driessen and Reilly to make up the Reds Hall of Fame Class of 2012.

The trio will be honored June 22-24 during Reds Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, which will include on-field ceremonies at Great American Ball Park, the star-studded Hall of Fame Induction Gala and a variety of festivities at the Hall, including meet and greets with Reds Hall of Famers and alumni.

One of the most popular players to ever wear a Reds uniform, Casey came to be known as “The Mayor” during his eight-year Reds career.

A versatile infielder of the Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s, Dreissen played 12 seasons for the Reds from 1973 to 1984.

A Cincinnati-native and dominant first baseman in the 1880′s, Reilly wore a Reds uniform for his nine-season Major League career and held Reds records for most singles, double, triples, home runs, runs scored, RBI and games played.

Casey was the top vote-getter of the thousands of ballots cast online at RedsMuseum.org, at Great American Ball Park and at participating Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn locations.

Driessen and Reilly were selected by the Reds Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee, comprised of members of the media, Hall of Famers, historians and Hall of Fame executives.

“Since 1958, the fans have played an integral part in the Hall of Fame election process, and this year was no exception as record participation resulted,” said Reds Hall of Fame Executive Director Rick Walls. “I’d like to thank Cincyfavorites.com, the thousands of fans that voted, and the Veterans Committee for recognizing the contributions of these players.”

The addition of Casey, Driessen and Reilly will bring the Hall’s membership ranks to 75 players, three managers, and three executives.

• Sean Casey (First Baseman, 1998-2005): One of the most popular players to ever wear a Reds uniform, first baseman Sean Casey came to be known as “The Mayor” during his eight-year Reds career. Acquired by the Reds on the eve of Opening Day in 1998, Casey overcame a serious eye injury and established himself as the club’s starting first baseman and would remain in that position for the next seven seasons. A lifetime .305 hitter as a Red, Casey eclipsed the .300 mark five times during his Reds career, posting a career-best .332 average in 1999. Casey was one of the offensive forces of the 1999 Reds, a club that won 96 games and fell just one win short of securing a playoff berth. For the 1999 season, Casey led the Reds in batting average, hits, doubles, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. During his Reds career, Casey ranked in the league’s top ten in batting average three times and was the Reds batting average leader in six of his seven seasons as a starter. Only twelve players in Reds history posted higher career batting averages than Casey’s .305 mark. A three-time National League All-Star, Casey was also the 1999 winner of Major League Baseball’s Hutch Award, was twice the recipient of the Reds’ Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award and was the 2004 winner of the Reds’ Most Valuable Player Award.

 

• Dan Driessen (First Baseman/Third Baseman, 1973-1984): A versatile member of Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s, Dan Driessen was signed by the Reds as an 18-year-old, undrafted free agent in 1969. In his Major League debut season of 1973, Driessen’s .301 average helped propel the Reds to the Western Division title and earned him a third place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Over the next three seasons, Driessen excelled at multiple positions for Reds teams that averaged over 100 victories a season and won back-to-back World Championships in 1975 and 1976. In the 1976 World Series, Driessen became the first designated hitter in National League history and hit .357 in the Reds sweep of the Yankees. In 1977, Driessen became the Reds everyday first baseman and enjoyed his finest offensive season, batting .300 with 17 home runs, 91 RBI and 31 stolen bases. One of the finest defensive first basemen of his era, Driessen led the National League in fielding percentage three times and shares the Reds all-time single season record for fielding percentage at the position. A member of the Reds from 1973 to 1984, only eight players in history have appeared in more games as a Red than Driessen.

 

• John Reilly (First Baseman, 1883-1891): The Reds starting first baseman from 1883 to 1891, John Reilly was the club’s leading hitter for most of the 1880′s and paced the club in home runs, RBI and batting average with a .301 mark. At 6’3″, Reilly was tall for his era, earning him the moniker “Long John” years before he played his first professional game. A Cincinnati native, Reilly wore a Reds uniform for his nine-season Major League career. Reilly held single-season Reds records in numerous offensive categories including most doubles, triples, home runs, RBI and slugging percentage at multiple points in his career. When he retired after the 1891 season, Reilly held Reds records for most singles, double, triples, home runs, runs scored, RBI and games played. While all of these records have since been broken, Reilly remains one of only four players in Reds history to lead the league in home runs twice. Reilly died in Cincinnati on May 31, 1937 at the age of 78. 

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CLEVELAND – Before the game, Asdrubal Cabrera tossed tennis balls to his 3-year-old son, Meyer, who belted them around the field while wearing dad’s No. 13.

Dad did the same thing to the Cincinnati Reds.

Cabrera went 5 for 5 with two homers and a career-high five RBI as Cleveland completed a three-game sweep of Cincinnati, beating the reeling Reds 12-4 on Sunday to – at least for the moment – grab bragging rights as Ohio’s best team.

Former University High School star Josh Judy pitched a scoreless ninth in his Major League debut for the Indians.

Cabrera hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Edinson Volquez (3-2) for the Indians, who did early damage after winning the series’ first two games with late-inning comebacks. Cabrera added a solo homer in the sixth to give Cleveland an 8-4 lead.

“He was a one-man show at the plate,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “He was unbelievable. He was on every pitch, and he has played like an All-Star for us since Day One.”

Michael Brantley, Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo – the top three hitters in Cleveland’s lineup – went a combined 10 for 12 with six runs and nine RBIs as the Indians, now seen more as a contender than early season surprise, moved 14 games over .500 for time since 2007.

With its first sweep of the Reds in seven years, Cleveland improved baseball’s best record to 29-15 – 18-4 at Progressive Field, tying the best home start in franchise history.

“They are tough at home,” Reds Manager Dusty Baker said. “They are playing good baseball.

“Whatever they needed, they got this series.”

Carlos Carrasco (3-2) gave up four runs in six-plus innings, handing the Reds their fifth straight loss. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce hit solo homers off the right-hander, who was lucky that several line drives were hit directly at Cleveland fielders.

“We hit four, five, six balls well that on other days would have been doubles,” Cincinnati outfielder Chris Heisey said. “That’s baseball. You get days where you nub three or four and they go for hits. But Cleveland made some good plays.”

After horsing around on the field with Meyer, who insisted that his dad pitch to him outside and not in the indoor cages, Cabrera’s day against the Reds didn’t start well. The steady shortstop made a throwing error on Drew Stubbs’ grounder leading off, but he more than made up for it with his first five-hit, multihomer game. Cabrera also had an error in the sixth, but it didn’t cause any harm.

The Indians missed Cabrera last season, when they lost 93 games. He was out two months after breaking his left forearm in a collision with former Indians third baseman Jhonny Peralta. Other than that, the 25-year-old Cabrera has been everything the Indians could have hoped for since they called him up in the 2007 playoff stretch.

Now healthy, there isn’t a shortstop in the AL playing better.

“We think he’s one of the best at his position,” Acta said. “We’re glad we have him.”

Cabrera’s name rarely, if ever, gets mentioned in discussions about the league’s top shortstops. It might be time he’s included in those conversations. He’s batting .302 and leads the team with nine homers and 32 RBIs. This month, he’s batting .360 with four homers and 15 RBIs in 18 games.

“I’m just trying to do good things for the team,” said Cabrera, who doesn’t worry about outside attention. “I’m just thinking about trying to win the game and do what I can do. And have fun.”

The weekend series began ominously for Cleveland. On Friday, the club placed DH Travis Hafner on the disabled list with a strained side muscle, a move that came a few days after Grady Sizemore went on the DL with a bruised right kneecap.

*  *  *

FORMER UNIVERSITY High School star Josh Judy pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Indians, surrendering two hits with one strikeout.

Judy led the Hawks to the 2004 State Tournament, but lost a game on the mercy rule in the semifinals to Fairmont Senior.

Since that game at Watt Powell Park, Judy earned second-team All-America honors at Indiana Institute of Technology (2006, ’07) and was drafted by the Indians in the 34th round of the 2007 Major League First-Year Player Draft.

Judy is the first Indiana Tech player to pitch in the Major Leagues. At the conclusion of the 2010 season, he was added to the Indians’ 40-player roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

He was called up on Saturday from the Class AAA Columbus Clippers to replace Alex White, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right middle finger soreness.

 

CLEVELAND – Ezequiel Carrera said he was only “a little bit” nervous when he stepped to the
plate in his major league debut last night.

Yes, he was in a pressure-packed situation. The Cleveland Indians were tied with the Cincinnati
Reds with two outs in the eighth inning and a runner on third. But what manager Manny Acta asked
him to do was something he has done plenty in his seven-year minor league career. Tell him to bunt,
and Carrera is plenty confident.

Sure enough, Carrera bunted the first pitch he saw down the first-base line. He avoided the tag
of Cincinnati’s Joey Votto to reach safely, allowing Shin-Soo Choo to score the go-ahead run in
Cleveland’s 5-4 victory.

“It’s unbelievable,” Carrera said. “First at-bat in the major leagues, and to get a bunt and an
RBI and the win “

Carrera, 23, was called up from the Clippers yesterday after Travis Hafner went on the disabled
list because of an oblique muscle injury. He is expected to be a spare part with the Indians, but
Acta found the perfect spot to use him after Choo tripled off the left-center wall.

The Reds intentionally walked Carlos Santana and brought in right-hander Nick Masset with
Shelley Duncan up next. Acta didn’t like that matchup and figured Carrera might be able to beat out
a bunt with Votto forced to hold the runner on.

“It was the perfect spot for it,” Acta said. “To bunt a ball, it doesn’t take experience or
(familiarity) with a different stadium. He’s done that his whole life.”

Carrera’s bunt capped a remarkable comeback for the Indians, whose past six home victories have
come in their final at-bat.

Reds starter Travis Wood carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning with Cincinnati leading 4-0
thanks to some uncharacteristically porous Cleveland defense.

Austin Kearns lined a single to center with one out for the Indians’ first hit. Wood didn’t
retire another batter. Two more singles, a walk and a hit batter ended his night.

“I have no idea how I lost it,” Wood said.

Reliever Logan Ondrusek allowed the Indians to tie the score with a walk and sacrifice fly.

The Reds had taken their early lead thanks to wildness by Indians starter Alex White, but there
was a reason for that. He felt pain in the middle finger of his throwing hand in the third inning.
Afraid to throw a breaking ball, White walked three straight batters as the Reds repeatedly fought
off his fastball.

Even then, he could have escaped major damage. But first baseman Matt LaPorta threw a potential
double-play grounder by Votto into left field, allowing two runs to score.

White, who was making his third major league start, left the game after the inning and will have
an MRI today. He said he had “strong discomfort” in the finger.

The Reds added two more runs in the sixth, again added by a Cleveland error. Brandon Phillips
singled, moved to third on a hit by Jay Bruce and scored when second baseman Orlando Cabrera booted
Scott Rolen’s grounder. Bruce scored on a Chris Heisey single.

That comfortable cushion was short-lived, setting up Choo’s deep triple and Carrera’s impeccable
bunt.

“That was special,” Indians closer Chris Perez said. “I’m sure he’ll never forget it.”

brabinowitz@dispatch.com

CLEVELAND – Ezequiel Carrera said he was only “a little bit” nervous when he stepped to the
plate in his major league debut last night.

Yes, he was in a pressure-packed situation. The Cleveland Indians were tied with the Cincinnati
Reds with two outs in the eighth inning and a runner on third. But what manager Manny Acta asked
him to do was something he has done plenty in his seven-year minor league career. Tell him to bunt,
and Carrera is plenty confident.

Sure enough, Carrera bunted the first pitch he saw down the first-base line. He avoided the tag
of Cincinnati’s Joey Votto to reach safely, allowing Shin-Soo Choo to score the go-ahead run in
Cleveland’s 5-4 victory.

“It’s unbelievable,” Carrera said. “First at-bat in the major leagues, and to get a bunt and an
RBI and the win “

Carrera, 23, was called up from the Clippers yesterday after Travis Hafner went on the disabled
list because of an oblique muscle injury. He is expected to be a spare part with the Indians, but
Acta found the perfect spot to use him after Choo tripled off the left-center wall.

The Reds intentionally walked Carlos Santana and brought in right-hander Nick Masset with
Shelley Duncan up next. Acta didn’t like that matchup and figured Carrera might be able to beat out
a bunt with Votto forced to hold the runner on.

“It was the perfect spot for it,” Acta said. “To bunt a ball, it doesn’t take experience or
(familiarity) with a different stadium. He’s done that his whole life.”

Carrera’s bunt capped a remarkable comeback for the Indians, whose past six home victories have
come in their final at-bat.

Reds starter Travis Wood carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning with Cincinnati leading 4-0
thanks to some uncharacteristically porous Cleveland defense.

Austin Kearns lined a single to center with one out for the Indians’ first hit. Wood didn’t
retire another batter. Two more singles, a walk and a hit batter ended his night.

“I have no idea how I lost it,” Wood said.

Reliever Logan Ondrusek allowed the Indians to tie the score with a walk and sacrifice fly.

The Reds had taken their early lead thanks to wildness by Indians starter Alex White, but there
was a reason for that. He felt pain in the middle finger of his throwing hand in the third inning.
Afraid to throw a breaking ball, White walked three straight batters as the Reds repeatedly fought
off his fastball.

Even then, he could have escaped major damage. But first baseman Matt LaPorta threw a potential
double-play grounder by Votto into left field, allowing two runs to score.

White, who was making his third major league start, left the game after the inning and will have
an MRI today. He said he had “strong discomfort” in the finger.

The Reds added two more runs in the sixth, again added by a Cleveland error. Brandon Phillips
singled, moved to third on a hit by Jay Bruce and scored when second baseman Orlando Cabrera booted
Scott Rolen’s grounder. Bruce scored on a Chris Heisey single.

That comfortable cushion was short-lived, setting up Choo’s deep triple and Carrera’s impeccable
bunt.

“That was special,” Indians closer Chris Perez said. “I’m sure he’ll never forget it.”

brabinowitz@dispatch.com

CLEVELAND – Ezequiel Carrera said he was only “a little bit” nervous when he stepped to the
plate in his major league debut last night.

Yes, he was in a pressure-packed situation. The Cleveland Indians were tied with the Cincinnati
Reds with two outs in the eighth inning and a runner on third. But what manager Manny Acta asked
him to do was something he has done plenty in his seven-year minor league career. Tell him to bunt,
and Carrera is plenty confident.

Sure enough, Carrera bunted the first pitch he saw down the first-base line. He avoided the tag
of Cincinnati’s Joey Votto to reach safely, allowing Shin-Soo Choo to score the go-ahead run in
Cleveland’s 5-4 victory.

“It’s unbelievable,” Carrera said. “First at-bat in the major leagues, and to get a bunt and an
RBI and the win “

Carrera, 23, was called up from the Clippers yesterday after Travis Hafner went on the disabled
list because of an oblique muscle injury. He is expected to be a spare part with the Indians, but
Acta found the perfect spot to use him after Choo tripled off the left-center wall.

The Reds intentionally walked Carlos Santana and brought in right-hander Nick Masset with
Shelley Duncan up next. Acta didn’t like that matchup and figured Carrera might be able to beat out
a bunt with Votto forced to hold the runner on.

“It was the perfect spot for it,” Acta said. “To bunt a ball, it doesn’t take experience or
(familiarity) with a different stadium. He’s done that his whole life.”

Carrera’s bunt capped a remarkable comeback for the Indians, whose past six home victories have
come in their final at-bat.

Reds starter Travis Wood carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning with Cincinnati leading 4-0
thanks to some uncharacteristically porous Cleveland defense.

Austin Kearns lined a single to center with one out for the Indians’ first hit. Wood didn’t
retire another batter. Two more singles, a walk and a hit batter ended his night.

“I have no idea how I lost it,” Wood said.

Reliever Logan Ondrusek allowed the Indians to tie the score with a walk and sacrifice fly.

The Reds had taken their early lead thanks to wildness by Indians starter Alex White, but there
was a reason for that. He felt pain in the middle finger of his throwing hand in the third inning.
Afraid to throw a breaking ball, White walked three straight batters as the Reds repeatedly fought
off his fastball.

Even then, he could have escaped major damage. But first baseman Matt LaPorta threw a potential
double-play grounder by Votto into left field, allowing two runs to score.

White, who was making his third major league start, left the game after the inning and will have
an MRI today. He said he had “strong discomfort” in the finger.

The Reds added two more runs in the sixth, again added by a Cleveland error. Brandon Phillips
singled, moved to third on a hit by Jay Bruce and scored when second baseman Orlando Cabrera booted
Scott Rolen’s grounder. Bruce scored on a Chris Heisey single.

That comfortable cushion was short-lived, setting up Choo’s deep triple and Carrera’s impeccable
bunt.

“That was special,” Indians closer Chris Perez said. “I’m sure he’ll never forget it.”

brabinowitz@dispatch.com