Tucker Barnharts Pinch Double Downs D Backs

Late innings heroics by Tucker Barnhart turned a one-run deficit into a 6-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Barnhart's two out double scored two runs in what turned out to be a four-run eighth inning.

It was another pitcher's duel in the old ball yard on Saturday in the rain-delayed first act for the Josh Owens concert.

"Tucker's hit was huge," Jim Riggleman said.  "Tuck's a good hitter.  His numbers don't indicate how good a hitter he is.  We felt pretty good with him up there."

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Robbie Ray of the Diamondbacks and Matt Harvey, the dark knight, battled through three scoreless innings.

The spell was broken by Eduardo Escobar, a trade deadline acquisition from the Minnesota Twins, hit his first National League home run after A.J. Pollock punched a single for the second hit off Harvey, leading off the fourth frame.  It was Escobar's first National League home run.

The Reds immediately tied the game in the bottom of the inning.

Eugenio Suarez was hit by a pitch, leading off the inning.  Phillip Ervin doubled down the line with Suarez scoring from first without a slide.  Brandon Dixon hit a fly to left center and Ervin advanced to third base.  Curt Casali struck out but Harvey lined a single that Steven Souza couldn't catch in a diving attempt.

The Reds mounted a threat in the seventh inning.  Billy Hamilton singled with one out off Andrew Chafin.  Archie Bradley came out of the bullpen to face Jose Peraza, who flied to center.  Joey Votto batted for Dilson Herrera as Hamilton stole second.  The Diamondbacks walked Votto intentionally and retired Scooter Gennett on a line out to center.

David Hernandez replaced Harvey, who pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk.  Harvey struck out seven.

"Harvey got better as the game went on.  He's done that quite a bit.  He gave up some hard hit balls early and around the fourth or fifth inning he settled in. He got in a little trouble but managed his way out of trouble.  His best inning was the seventh," Jim Riggleman said.

The Diamondbacks got the lead back on the 20th home run of the season by David Peralta into the right field stands.  Paul Goldschmidt doubled but Hernandez got Pollock out on a comeback ball.  Amir Garrett was summoned to pitch to the switch hitting Escobar. Garrett retired Escobar on a fly to left.

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Bradley hit Suarez with a pitch to lead off the eighth inning.  Suarez was working on 10-game hitting streak and was plunked twice.  Ervin hit a slow roller to third that sent Suarez to second. Dixon struck out.  Casali walked.  Tucker Barnhart hit for Garrett.  Barnhart hit a 3-2 pitch into the left center field gap that easily scored Suarez and Casali. 

"I've always had trouble with Archie Bradley, since the lower minors," Barnhart said. "I faced him at every stop.  He's a good pitcher and I respect the hell out of him.  He's gotten me more times than I've gotten him. I was looking for something out over the plate that I could get to the outfield for Geno to score."

"Pinch hitting is the hardest thing to do in baseball," Barnhart said.  "When you're in the game you get into a flow.  When it got that late and Mason and Joey were in the game, it was between me and Tucker.  The coaches do a great job of keeping us in the loop."



T.J. McFarland took over for Bradley.  Hamilton singled off McFarland's hand.  The ball leaked into center field allowing Barnhart to score. Peraza was walked intentionally to set up a lefty-lefty matchup with Votto.  The Reds' first baseman ruined the strategy with a single that scored Hamilton.

Raisel Iglesias pitched the ninth, earning his 23rd save in 26 attempts.