red-hot start

Break up the Reds? The surprise team of the early season in MLB, Cincinnati – fueled by Mississippi connections – is 7-2 going into a 10-game homestand that starts with today’s game against Milwaukee. This is the Reds’ best start since 1990, when they opened 9-0 and made their last World Series trip. Former Taylorsville High standout Billy Hamilton is hitting (.306), stealing bags (four) and scoring runs (five). Ole Miss product Zack Cozart is batting .417 with four RBIs in seven games. Northwest Mississippi Community College alum Cody Reed has worked five scoreless innings out of the bullpen – and is a candidate to take injured Rookie Davis’ rotation spot. Ex-UM star Stuart Turner, who made the club as a Rule 5 draftee, has a hit and an RBI in three games. The Reds have lost 90-plus games each of the last two seasons and certainly weren’t expected to contend in 2017. “There’s a much stronger sense of community on our team and some young guys that are seizing the opportunity,” Reds manager Bryan Price told mlb.com in explaining the hot start. One of those young guys is former Mississippi Braves star Jose Peraza, batting .297 with four steals and five runs.