It’s a good check to see where we’re at, right?” said Nick Martinez, who starts Friday in Detroit when the Reds open a three-game series against the team with the best record in the majors.

In between three IL stints this season, Cincinnati Reds LF Austin Hays is hitting .303 with 6 homers and a .901 OPS in 31 games.

Ramirez went to the ground after being hit, but rather than indicate he was in pain, he merely pretended to take a quick nap in the dirt. The 32-year-old remained on the ground for a few seconds before Reds catcher Jose Trevino helped him to his feet.

Hunter Greene can’t help the Cincinnati Reds beat the Mets, the Yankees or the Dodgers if he doesn’t pitch against them.

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon's Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Preview the June 11 matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians with recent trends, how to watch, livestream info, and more.

Carlos Santana slugged his sixth career grand slam and the Cleveland Guardians beat Cincinnati 11-2 on Wednesday, snapping the Reds’ five-game win streak and denying manager Terry Francona a season sweep of his former team.

The Reds hadn’t won the Ohio Cup outright since 2014, when Francona was in his second season managing Cleveland. The Reds won five of their six meetings against the Guardians, falling 11-2 in Wednesday’s series finale.

However, Jake Fraley dove and extended full extension for one of the best catches you'll ever see a right fielder make. If the ball gets by Fraley, Ramirez is standing on third and may have even had a chance at an inside the park home run. You can watch and listen to Fraley's catch as heard on Reds television and radio below:

Cincinnati Reds OF Will Benson, a 2016 first-round pick of the Guardians, went 9-for-19 with four homers against his former team to win Ohio Cup MOP.

The Tigers have a multi-game lead atop the Central, while the Reds are fourth in the National League Central, fighting for a Wild Card spot.