Merrill Kelly Tames Reds Hot Bats For Diamondback Win

 

Merrill Kelly with the help of centerfielder Alek Thomas kept the Reds off the scoreboard for six innings in a 7-0 win for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  

Kelly, who spent four season pitching in Korea, allowed just single by Alejo Lopez in the first inning.

Thomas went above the bullpen fence to snag a drive by Joey Votto with a man on in the first inning.  It was a line drive that Thomas needed time to set up and leap, making the catch with his entire glove above the fence. 

The leaping catch and Kelly's offerings kept the game scoreless until Christian Walker unloaed his 15th home run of the season with a man on against Mike Minor, making his second start of the year. 

"Their pitcher did a nice job.  He kept us off balance," Bell said.  "We weren't able to square too many balls after Joey's. That was such a great swing.  If you've seen Joey play enough you know it is going to be over the fence or close.  It was a great catch."

Votto thought it was part of the game.

"I don't care for myself," Votto said.  "If you're a home run hitter you're going to have some taken away.  I cared for my team but personally, I don't care."

The Reds scored 21 runs in the first two games of the series until Kelly put a muzzle on the home team's offense.

Walker was with the Reds for three weeks in Goodyear, Arizona.  He broke in with the Baltimore Orioles in 2015 but was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves in late February of 2017.  The Reds claimed him from Atlanta on March 6 but Arizona on March 28.  He found a home in the desert, hitting 29 home runs for the Diamondbacks in 2019.  He hit 14 last season.  

Walker's home run with a man on put the Diamondbacks in the lead for the first time in the series.

Thomas robbed Votto again in the fourth with a sliding catch of a line drive

"It was a good step for Mike," David Bell said.  "He had a good fastball, slider.  He kept them off balance and got up to 80 pitches which will help him in his next start."

Minor gave up Josh Rojas fourth home run in the fifth.  It was his last batter.  Luis Cessa took over on the mound.  Minor pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks.

"it was a step in the right direction," Minor said. "I left a couple of change ups over the plate but it was better."

The Diamondbacks added two run off Cessa, including Jordan Luplow's seventh home run.  They added another against Art Warren on a triple by Rojas and a single by Ketel Marte. 

Sean Poppen took over for Kelly in the seventh.  Votto finally slipped a line drive past Thomas for a double to lead off the inning but the next three Reds went out in order. 

Hunter Strickland walked in the Arizona's seventh run.