Reds' Sweep Denied By Determined Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks used their most productive inning to upend the sweep-minded Reds in a 9-2 win, using five home runs.  Paul Goldschmidt hit two.

The Diamondbacks got the jump on the Reds in the first inning with two former St. Louis Cardinals as the instigators.  Arizona has now scored 95 runs in the first inning which is the most of any Major League team.

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Jon Jay singled to open the game against Luis Castillo.  One out later David Peralta walked.  Daniel Descalso unloaded his 10th home run on the grassy knoll in center field out of Billy Hamilton's reach.  It was the 21st home run allowed by Castillo.  He joined teammates, Tyler Mahle and Sal Romano as National League leaders in home runs allowed.

Castillo had actually been making progress in deterring the long ball.  Castillo was touched for six home runs in each of the first three months of the season but allowed just two in his last six starts coming into the game.

After the home run, Castillo retired 13 in a row as the Reds offense ramped up.

"Everything in between the home runs was a pretty good performance," Jim Riggleman said.."The 0-2 to Descalso was supposed to be inside but it was out over the plate,  Goldschmidt has been swinging it well.  He had a big day."

Eugenio Suarez, who had a 10-game hitting streak snapped on Saturday, singled off Zack Godley to open the second inning.  Mason Williams followed with a single.  Tucker Barnhart struck out on a 3-2 pitch but Preston Tucker hit a one hopper to Paul Goldschmidt at first.  He wheeled and threw to Nick Ahmed for the force on Williams but Godley, covering first could not handle the relay.  The ball went out of play as Suarez scored.

Jose Peraza tripled into the right field corner with one out in the third.  Joey Votto hit a line fly to center that scored Peraza.

Godley retired seven batters in a row, starting with Votto, until Hamilton dumped a single to center in the fifth.

Jay opened the sixth with a single to break Castillo's streak.  Goldschmidt hit a towering fly that reached the second row of seats in right field for his 25th home run to give Arizona a 5-2 lead.

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"I was supposed to throw inside on the 0-2 pitch but it was over the plate and he took advantage of it.  The pitch to Goldschmidt, I got it where I wanted but he's a big strong man and put a good swing on it.  I thought it was a fly ball but it kept going and going," Castillo said.."I thought overall, I pitched well.  The only mistake I made was to Descalso."

Descalso's two-out double finished Castillo.  Michael Lorenzen entered after Castillo allowed five hits in 5 2/3 innings.  He walked one and struck out seven.  Castillo was charged with five earned runs.

Dilson Herrera's two-out pinch hit single in the seventh spelled the end for Godley.  Brad Ziegler took over, facing Hamilton.  Hamilton missed on a two-strike swing.

Arizona turned double plays in the sixth and eighth innings to thwart Reds' rallies.

Eduardo Escobar hit a two-run home run off Keury Mella and Goldschmidt added his 26th.  Peralta followed with his 21st long ball as Mella gave up three in the frame.

Godley won his fifth road decision in six starts while improving to 4-1 over the Reds.

The Reds have been playing up to the schedule and still took two out of three from the leaders of the National League West Division.

"I'm not into winning the series like most people are. I'm just into winning the game, if that means you win the series, that's better yet.  That's a very good club.  To win two we feel good about being competitive with them.  Today the score 9-2 doesn't look competitive but the game was closer than the score indicates."