CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

The Reds started the week in San Francisco with the last three games of their West Coast tour. The Giants had just been clobbered by St. Louis and they were smarting from the beating. Their hitters knocked the heck out of the Reds' pitchers and took two out of three buy big margins. The final game was a classic that may have defined the season for Cincinnati. Behind by a 10-1 score, the Giants fought back to go ahead 11-10 in the bottom of the 8th. The Reds pushed across a run in the 9th on a Paul Janish double to tie the game and won it, 12-11, in the 13th inning on a Joey Votto single.

The Cubs came to town without 'Sweet Lou' who retired last weekend. The Reds took care of business on Friday with Johnny Cueto snapping back to hurl a beauty. On Saturday, the two teams hooked up in a close one that the Reds lost 3-2.

The Bengals shuffled off to Buffalo for preseason game three on Saturday night. The first offense looks ready to start the season. There's not much else to say.

On Sunday, the Reds, took the rubber game in their series with the Cubs and moved to a season high 5-game lead over the Cardinals in the division. It's too early to smell the playoffs but keep your nose up in the air...it's not too far off.

This was the first week for high school football in Ohio. Here are a few of the scores.

Colerain (rated #1 in Cincinnati) 35-6 over Northmont

LaSalle (7) 28-6 over Lakota West (T5)

Middletown (T5) 34-0 over Simon Kenton

Hamilton (12) 14-6 over Springfield

Centerville 42-6 over Lakota East (13)

Fenwick 33-0 over Oakwood

Elder (3) 38-21 over Winton Woods

Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md)21-6 over St. Xavier (2)

Moeller (4) 35-28 over Wayne

:o)