According to Reds beat reporter Charlie Goldsmith<\/a>, Napoli engineered key moves as Cincinnati earned a walk-off win over the White Sox. P.J. Higgins\u2019 grand slam finished the 11-7 victory.<\/p>\n Terry Francona had associate bench coach Mike Napoli manage the final few innings today. <\/p>\n It was a good experience\u2026 and then Napoli pulled some really good levers in a ninth inning that ended with a walk off grand slam from PJ Higgins and a Reds win. <\/p>\n Napoli used two pinch\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cGood old baseball. Get the first two guys over and put it into the hitter\u2019s hands to score the runs,\u201d Napoli said, per Goldsmith<\/a>. \u201cIt was fun. I want to manage one day. It\u2019s nice to be at the head and making the calls, watching the game, trying to stay ahead of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Goldsmith asked Napoli what Francona was doing during the rally.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was behind me with (catching coach Bill Hassleman) telling stories the whole time,\u201d Napoli said.<\/p>\n Texas Rangers first baseman Mike Napoli (5) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Atlanta Braves in 2017. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n Napoli enjoyed a 12-year playing career with the Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland. He batted .248 with an .811 OPS while hitting 267 career home runs and driving in 744 runs.<\/p>\n The Reds have tasked Napoli with helping top prospect Sal Stewart make the switch from third base to first. A former catcher, Napoli played 659 career games at first base.<\/p>\n Cincinnati plays its final Cactus League game at 3:05 p.m. ET March 22 before heading to Milwaukee for a pair of exhibition games. Opening Day is set for 4:10 p.m. ET March 26 against one of Napoli\u2019s former teams, the Red Sox.<\/p>\n \u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n MARCH MADNESS: March Madness TV schedule, NCAA Tournament games on today<\/a><\/p>\n NFL: Giants\u2019 Cam Skattebo apologizes amid CTE comment backlash<\/a><\/p>\n NFL DRAFT: New Mel Kiper NFL mock draft shows major impact of free agency<\/a><\/p>\n MLB: Dodgers announce Shohei Ohtani\u2019s spring training pitching debut<\/a><\/p>\n ENTERTAINMENT: Fans react to Chappel Roan, Jorginho daughter controversy<\/a><\/p>\n VIRAL: Pat McAfee mocks NFL stars after awful Fanatics Flag Football Classic display<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/default-1583.jpg\")
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