MIAMI – A year after Cincinnati Reds starter Andrew Abbott began running out of gas as a rookie, the left-hander struggled for the fourth time in five starts Wednesday in a 6-4 loss to the very bad Miami Marlins.

Abbott (9-9) gave up two walks and two home runs, including a grand slam to Derek Hill, in a miserable first inning before settling down.

He got through five innings but not before giving up a second solo home run of the game to Jake Burger, and he needed 104 pitches to notch the five.

The three home runs allowed were a season high, and the six earned runs matched a season high for Abbott, whose five-game rough spell also includes three starters of 4 1/3 innings or less.

Since going 9-6 with a 3.06 ERA in his first 18 starts this season and flirting with All-Star consideration, Abbott has a 6.56 ERA in his last five starts. The Reds have won only one of those.

“I felt fine,” Abbott said. Everything’s firing. It’s the dog days of August. You’ve got to keep going and be better for the team next time.”

If anything, he said, a “missed execution mixed with bad umpiring” caused his undoing in the first. “And then good swings. They hit mistakes.”

By the time Reds center fielder TJ Friedl’s first career grand slam cleared the wall in right field with two out in the top of the seventh, it was too little, too late for the Reds.

The Reds loaded the bases again in the ninth with two outs for Jeimer Candelario, who grounded a 2-0 pitch to second for the final out.

Marlins rookie right-hander Valente Bellazo pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the Reds in his longest of four career starts. He escaped a two-out, bases-loaded jam in the second by striking out leadoff man Jonathan India after falling behind 2-0.

Miami Heat teammates Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jovic are facing off for a chance at the gold medal.

Team USA will play Serbia in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday at 3 PM EST.

It begs the question of which Heat starter will emerge victorious: the heavy favorite in Adebayo, or could an inspiring performance from Jovic lift Serbia to victory?

Through four games in the Olympics, the 27-year-old Adebayo is performing exceptionally well. His three-point shooting is practical and improved, knocking down numerous throughout the tournament.

Adebayo is growing closer to his second gold medal. The USA recently defeated Brazil 122-87, and they’re starting to smell blood. Serbia fell short to the USA multiple times earlier in the summer, with coach Steve Kerr and Co. winning by a margin of more than 20 points in each.

The 21-year-old Jovic is dealing with a variety of issues keeping him off the floor. He did not suit up against Australia due to illness while slowly working back due to his ankle injury, which he suffered during the offseason. However, there’s a chance to hit the ground running in this matchup against Adebayo and the rest of the loaded USA roster.

If Serbia hopes to walk away victorious to earn a spot in the title game, they can’t just rely on the three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Going up against the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry requires a full-power unit, along with some luck.

Whoever comes out on top marches to Saturday’s championship while the loser heads to battle for the bronze medal.

Miguel Mike Medina is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com

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October just doesn’t feel like October unless the Florida State Seminoles face the Miami (FL) Hurricanes. The rivalry has been streaky of late, with FSU winning seven in a row between 2010 and 2016, Miami taking the next four, and FSU now currently on a three-game win streak. Mario Cristobal is still searching for his first victory over FSU as a head coach, and Mike Norvell looks to make another strong statement in South Florida.

Florida State vs. Miami

Date: 10/26/24

Location: Hard Rock Stadium

Previous matchup: 27-20 FSU

All-time series: 33-35

Miami: Team Preview

2023 record: 7-6 (3-5 conf)

Two things to know:

• A: Despite its 2023 record, Miami still had a productive offense when it wasn’t turning the ball over. The Canes finished second in the ACC in total offense last season and brought in some highly-rated transfers this offseason at quarterback, running back, and offensive line.
• 2: Speaking of the transfer portal, Cristobal brought in 15 transfers this offseason, six of whom are rated four-stars by 247Sports. Miami brought in 17 transfers the offseason prior. Kinda pokes a hole in Cristobal’s argument about Miami’s homegrown talent versus FSU not developing its own high school signees.

Three key players:

• A: QB Cam Ward. Miami won the Ward sweepstakes when the former Washington State quarterback spurned the NFL Draft and decided on one more year in college. Including two seasons at Incarnate Word, Ward has thrown for nearly 14,000 yards and 119 touchdowns. He’s a trendy dark horse Heisman pick and should put up high numbers with targets like Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George.
• 2: RB Damian Martinez. The Oregon State transfer is a bruiser who has a knack for breaking tackles. He ran for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns on 194 carries last season (sharing a backfield with FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei) and behind Miami’s offensive line, Martinez should be among the top yardage-producing backs in the ACC.
• D: DL Reuben Bain. Particularly painful due to his history as a FSU recruit, Bain is simply a stud. Last season as a true freshman he racked up 44 tackles and 7.5 sacks and forced three fumbles, all while playing through various injuries. If Bain is healthy, he’s a problem for any offensive lineman facing him.

Florida State vs. Miami: Game preview, predictions

Best Case

FSU comes out strong, punching the Canes in the mouth on the first defensive series and scoring a touchdown on the resultant offensive drive. FSU keeps the Miami defense on its heels with strong and balanced playcalling, limits penalties, and stays ahead of schedule. The defense smothers Martinez and forces Ward into several poor decisions, capitalizing on turnovers. The 17 Cane fans in attendance witness a beatdown as the Canes quit in the third quarter and South Florida recruits from the 2025 cycle through the 2029 cycle personally witness the widening gap between the two programs. After all, you can’t spell quit without the U.

Realistic Case

Miami has Louisville on the road the prior weekend, while FSU will come into South Florida on the heels of a Friday night tilt at Duke. Each team should be reasonably healthy, with both utilizing bye weeks on October 12. The rivals trade punches and mistakes before settling in. FSU has the advantage as far as in-game coaching is concerned, while both squads have a lot of talent. The trenches and turnover margin will likely decide this one, with a close game more likely than a blowout.

Worst Case

A combination of injuries, bad luck, and bad weather combine for a Saturday from hell, and FSU’s winning streak is broken in brutal fashion. A Miami win would have ramifications in the standings and on the recruiting trail.