CINCINNATI — In a commanding performance, the Cincinnati Reds crushed the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 13-1 victory after finalizing a suspended game earlier with a 4-3 win in extra innings. The Reds’ outbreak was bolstered by Gavin Lux, who delivered a grand slam, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who homered for the second game in a row.
The action began with TJ Friedl and Elly De La Cruz drawing walks off Arizona’s starting pitcher, Ryne Nelson. Encarnacion-Strand capitalized on this opportunity by launching his fourth home run, putting the Reds ahead 3-0. Will Benson’s walk followed by Tyler Stephenson’s double set up Spencer Steer’s single, driving in another run. Jake Fraley’s forceout allowed the Reds to finish the first inning with a strong 5-0 lead.
Eugenio Suárez contributed to the Diamondbacks’ lone effort with a commendable 2-for-4 performance, including his 17th home run, opening the third inning against Nick Martinez and delivering Arizona’s only run of the match.
Lux’s grand slam was a pivotal moment in the fourth inning against reliever Kendall Graveman, who struggled through 33 pitches. With two players already on base and no outs, Graveman gave up a single to Matt McLain, loading the bases. He then hit Friedl with a pitch, forcing in a run. Lux followed by blasting the next pitch out to right field, extending the Reds’ advantage to 10-1. De La Cruz’s double set the stage for Stephenson’s single, capping a remarkable eight-run inning. Stephenson concluded the game with an impressive 3-for-5 performance, scoring twice.
Nick Martinez managed a respectable pitching stint, allowing just one run on six hits over six innings while striking out six. Joe La Sorsa, Brent Suter, and Lyon Richardson each contributed a scoreless inning to cap off the win.
Arizona’s pitcher, Ryne Nelson, struggled with seven runs allowed over three innings, while Graveman faced a tough outing, conceding six runs within a single inning.
Encarnacion-Strand’s decisive homer in the opening inning granted the Reds all they needed to secure this crucial victory, pulling them to a near-even standing at 32-33.
A noteworthy stat is that two of Lux’s three grand slams have been slammed against the Diamondbacks. His other grand slams were hit in 2021 during his tenure with the Dodgers.
Looking ahead, the series finale will feature Arizona’s right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen, who boasts a 4-7 record and a 5.13 ERA, set to face off against Cincinnati’s RHP Brady Singer, sporting a 6-4 record and a 4.66 ERA.