Tucker Barnhart reached base four times and drove in two runs as the Reds edged the Colorado Rockies 3-2 to take the series. Barnhart returned from the injured list on Friday and is 5-for-6 since his return.
"Getting away helped me watch the game and learn," Barnhart said. "I want to keep this going. It feels really good to contribute after being away for a long time. I don't ever want to get injured but I learned a lot by watching different hitters."
David Bell had to go through five different catchers when Barnhart went down with a strained right oblique in June. He had been struggling at the plate early in the year. Barnhart was hitting .191 when he went down.
"We know what Tucker brings in every way," Bell said. "It shows what he's capable of offensively. I think the time away gave him a chance to regroup."
Alex Wood's first start for the Reds was a gut check. The left-hander had runners on in each of the five innings he pitched in. Twice he worked out of situations with runners on first and second. He did it with one out in the second and nobody out in the fourth.
"I pride myself on being able to wiggle out of those situations," Wood said. "I would have liked to finish the fifth but I'll get chances."
Bell's plan was to let him face Alonso as the last hitter in Wood's first start back.
"It was great to see him out there healthy," Bell said. "He had reached his last batter anyway. Alonso was going to be his last hitter. He wanted to stay in. I decided to stick with the decision because it was his first time back. The home run doesn't take away from what he did."
The Reds put up a two-run four hit inning against 22-year old Peter Lambert of the Rockies. Josh VanMeter, Scooter Gennett, José Iglesias and Tucker Barnhart singled in succession for two runs.
Wood's first four official innings were scoreless but Yonder Alonso, the Reds' first round draft pick in 2008, homered with David Dahl on second base. Dahl doubled with one out to set up the two-run, game tying home run.
The Reds regained the lead when VanMeter walked to reach bat for the third time. Iglesias was hit by a pitch from Jake McGee. Barnhart's third hit of the game brought VanMeter home.
Lucas Simms, Amir Garrett and Michael Lorenzen held the lead through the top of the eighth.
Sam Howard pitched the Rockies out of a two-out, two on jam in the bottom of the eighth.
Nick Senzel was ejected by home plate umpire, Bill Miller, for arguing balls and strikes after he struck out in the fourth inning.
Raisel Iglesias got the first two batters out in the ninth but Nolan Arenado and Alonso singled to add drama. Ian Desmond grounded out to Eugenio Suarez to give Iglesias 19 saves in 22 chances.
The Reds first look at Wood illustrated how the season could have been much different in the first 102 games.
"He definitely gives our rotation a different look," Bell said. "It changes the way the bullpen lines up. You don't have to have a lefty but it does give you a different look."
For Wood it was a chance to belong.
"I've been around these guys a lot and they all welcomed me but there is a big difference being able to contribute," Wood said.
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