CINCINNATI -- Bryan Price is looking forward to better days with the Cincinnati Reds.The last-place Reds announced Friday that Price would return next year for a fourth season as manager, and then lost 7-3 to Ben Zobrist and the Chicago Cubs.Price agreed to a one-year contract with a team option. The entire coaching staff also has been offered contracts for 2017.There is a mutual desire to stay connected, said Price, who has a 207-277 record as Cincinnatis manager. For me, its an unbelievable opportunity. It is a storied franchise. I have really enjoyed my coaches and my team.Joey Votto hit a two-run homer in the ninth for Cincinnati, which has dropped three of four. Josh Smith (3-3) was charged with two runs and three hits in five-plus innings.It was Smiths second start of the season after 30 relief appearances.I dont care what role Im in as long as Im wearing a Reds uniform, he said. I prefer to start. Ive done that all my life, but Ive kind of enjoyed my time in the bullpen, talking to guys like Tony Cingrani, who has been a starter. I have developed a routine out there.Zobrist homered twice and drove in three runs as Chicago improved to 14-3 against Cincinnati this season with two games to play. Jake Buchanan (1-0) pitched five shutout innings in his first start since 2014 with Houston.The NL Central champion Cubs, headed for the playoffs for the second straight year, announced contract extensions for general manager Jed Hoyer and player development director Jason McLeod. Their new deals run through the 2021 season, mirroring president of baseball operations Theo Epsteins contract announced on Wednesday.Smith retired his first 12 batters before Zobrist led off the fifth with a drive to right for his first homer since Sept. 12. The All-Star also connected for a two-run shot in Chicagos four-run eighth, No. 17 on the year.It was good, Smith said. I challenged hitters early and got a lot of early contact to pitch pretty deep in the game. The ball to Zobrist, I missed my spot.Chicagos first three batters reached in the sixth, chasing Smith, and Addison Russells RBI double made it 3-1.Josh kept us in the game, Price said. That four-run inning gave them the separation they needed.HISTORIC HOMERSZobrists homers were Chicagos 38th and 39th against the Reds this season, the most by one team against Cincinnati pitching in one season. The 1954 Brooklyn Dodgers and 1957 Milwaukee Braves previously shared the record with 38.EARLY WARNINGVotto, who left Thursdays game at St. Louis in the eighth inning with a cut on his chin that required seven stitches, texted Price at 3 a.m. Friday saying that he would be ready to play.TRAINERS ROOMCubs: OF Jorge Soler (discomfort on his right side) will be re-evaluated on Saturday, manager Joe Maddon said.Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips, sidelined by soreness in his left wrist and hand, was being examined Friday by members of the Reds medical staff, Price said.UP NEXTCubs: LHP Jon Lester (19-4) seeks his first career 20-win season in his last start. He is 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA in four starts against Cincinnati this season.Reds: RHP Tim Adleman (3-4), who set a career high with seven innings in his last start on Monday, will try to close out his season with back-to-back wins. Red Grange Jersey . 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Sydney AFL coach John Longmire says Michael Talia must win back the respect of his teammates after pleading guilty to drug possession, but theres a more immediate challenge for his other defenders.Talia, who last month was stood down indefinitely from club activities and given a solo training program, was handed a 12-month good behaviour bond a week ago at Sydneys Waverley Local Court.Longmire revealed on Thursday the four-week stand-down period down would end on Friday August 19.Then he just needs to make sure that hes working really hard to be able to win the respect back of the players, Longmire said of Talia, who hadnt played since round one due to a serious foot injury.Hes spoken to the players, hes stood down until August 19 and then its about working to make sure that he gets himself in the best possible physical shape as he can be.Longmire suggested the Swans fit and available defenders would have their hands full against St Kilda on Saturday at Etihad Stadium.He was impressed by the marking prowess of the Saints in their 71-point thrashing of Carlton last week, which maintained their slim finals hopes.Our defenders have been in reasonable form, but their forwards - certainly to be able to take 27 marks inside the forward 50 - is a huge number, Longmire said.Among the Saints moost-potent attacking threats will be former Swan Tim Membrey, their leading goalkicker this season with 39.ddddddddddddMembrey 22, after playing just one senior game for Sydney, has flourished in his second season with the Saints.Its a real credit to him to be able to go down there and do what hes done, Longmire said.Hes kicked a lot of goals; hes been an important part of their forward set-up.Longmire suggested key forward Sam Reid was running out of time to break back into the senior side after not playing a senior game this season due to calf and achilles injuries.Its becoming really close now to make a call on him, Longmire said.Veteran key defender Ted Richards, who last week announced he would retire at the end of the season, would not be earning a 262nd and final AFL game on sentiment.You play if you deserve to play, Longmire said.However, he didnt rule out Richards getting another opportunity, after serving a one-game suspension on a rough conduct charge arising out of a NEAFL fixture.Hes still got an important role to play and its just the one week, Longmire said.Hes still training and doing all he needs to do to try and be available for selection. 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