CINCINNATI — Rookie Matt McLain hit his first profession grand slam and the Cincinnati Reds prolonged their profitable streak to a few video games with a 9-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday evening in a matchup of unusual MLB groups.
The Diamondbacks started the day two video games behind the first-place Dodgers within the NL West, and the second-place Reds path the Brewers by 1 1/2 video games within the NL Central.
McLain‘s slam got here on an 0-2 fastball from right-hander Justin Martinez.
“It was a huge hit in the game,” Reds supervisor David Bell mentioned. “The most impressive thing (is) to be able to hit a fastball like that, when you’re down in the count. To hit a special fastball like that and have that kind of power to be able to drive the ball to the opposite field says a lot right there.”
Ketel Marte had his sixth profession multi-hit recreation, homering twice with a triple, and Alek Thomas added a homer for Arizona.
“We were inefficient in a lot of different areas,” Diamondbacks supervisor Torey Luvollo mentioned. “Ton of things happened today. Straight fastballs to fastball hitters, one ends up getting clipped for a grand slam.”
PHOTOS: Rookie Matt McLain launches first profession grand slam as Reds beat Diamondbacks 9-6
Alex Young (4-0) labored a 3rd of an inning and picked up the victory. Alex Diaz recorded his twenty eighth save.
Marte opened the scoring within the first inning with a 351-foot shot to proper subject. The Reds countered within the backside of the inning as Nick Sensel scored on a Spencer Steer’s groundout to 3rd.
The Diamondbacks thought that they had turned an inning-ending double play within the second. But, replay overturned the ruling that Senzel was out at first and Tyler Stephenson scored to provide the Reds a 2-1 lead.
Thomas doubled and scored on Geraldo Perdomo’s single to tie the rating at 2 within the third.
After a pair of walks within the backside of the fourth, Steer, who leads NL rookies in RBIs and drove in three runs Friday, smacked a two-run double to provide the Reds a 4-2 lead.
Tommy Henry (5-3) took the loss. The 25-year-old left-hander allowed 4 walks – three of which scored – 4 hits and caught out two in 4 1/3 innings.
“I just shot myself in the foot with those walks,” Henry mentioned. “I thought I was a little bit too fine at times. That bit us. I need to attack the middle.”
In the fifth inning, Marte tripled off Will Benson’s glove in proper, scoring Perdomo with the Diamondbacks‘ third run.
Benson atoned for his misplay with an RBI double within the backside of the inning.
Three batters later, McLain launched Martinez’s pitch 366 ft to the alternative subject for a grand slam and a 9-3 lead. The 23-year-old shortstop has 9 homers in 56 video games.
“He blew two past me,” McLain mentioned. “I made a little adjustment after the first one to start earlier. Power comes with knowing the pitches that I can hit best and looking for that pitch.”
RUNNIN’ REDS
Luvollo mentioned controlling the Reds‘ running game will be key in the series. The Diamondbacks didn’t get off to a superb begin on Friday when the Reds‘ pulled off a double steal within the first, resulting in a run.
“That was a frustrating run in the first inning, because that’s my fault,” Henry mentioned. “I was trying to focus on the hitter with no looks, and they took advantage of that.”
The Reds lead the main leagues with 117 stolen bases.
TRAINERS ROOM
Diamondbacks: LHP Andrew Chafin was reinstated from the paternity record and LHP Joe Mantiply was optioned to Triple-A Reno. Chafin and his spouse Shelbi welcomed their third baby, Bobby, on July 19.
Reds: RHP Tejay Antone (Tommy John surgical procedure) will start a minor league rehab task on July 25. … RHP Luke Weaver is anticipated to make his subsequent begin after being struck on the left arm with a line drive.
UP NEXT
LHP Brandon Williamson (1-2, 4.96), who twice has picked runners off second base, will look to gradual the D-backs, one in every of three groups with 100 or extra stolen bases. RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-3, 9.82) shall be recalled from Triple-A Reno to begin for Arizona.
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