Old Rival Matt Carpenter Haunts Reds Again With A Home Run To Win The Series

Matt Carpenter hit a go-ahead home in the third inning, Nolan Gorman also went deep and the St. Louis Cardinals reached .500 for the first time in six weeks with a 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.

Carpenter hit his first home run for the Cardinals since April 30, 2021, as St. Louis (27-27) won for the 12th time in 15 games. The Cardinals had not been at .500 since they were 9-9 before play on April 17 and they had dropped to 15-24 before their turnaround. They have won five straight series.

“We're playing good baseball,” Carpenter said. “Our offense is coming full circle and getting close to what we thought we were at the beginning of the year.”

A 38-year-old three-time All-Star who played for the Cardinals from 2011-21, Carpenter hit a third-inning drive off Frankie Montas (2-4). Carpenter is batting .250 with four RBIs in 36 at-bats.

Gorman hit his 10th home run of the season, an eighth-inning drive off Brent Suter, and also had an RBI double that boosted the lead to 2-0 in the fourth.

Andre Pallante (1-1) allowed three hits in six scoreless innings in his first start since July 31, 2022. He struck out four and walked three.

“Pallante did a really nice job," Cardinal manager Oliver Mormol said. "To have an outing like that it was impressive. He got a lot of weak contact.”

St. Louis had used Matthew Liberatore as its fifth starter after Steven Matz strained his lower back in early May.  Pallante went to the minor leagues to compete for a spot in the rotation.

“It was definitely what I was hoping for when I got sent down at the beginning of this year,” Pallante said. “I always felt of myself as a starter, and the more pitches I throw, the better I get. I hadn't been pitching well enough to be up here. Pouting was not going to where I want to be.”

Ryan Helsley allowed Tyler Stephenson's sacrifice fly in the ninth before Elly De La Cruz hit into a game-ending forceout that gave Helsley his major league-leading 18th save in 19 chances.

Montas (2-4) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings, dropping to 0-4 in his last eight starts.

“To be honest, I’m never going to be focused on wins and losses," Montas said. "I’m trying to go out and do my best to try to give my team a chance to win. I just get shaky for one inning, not executing the pitches, and then I’m good after that. I’m way better than the way I’m pitching, for sure.”

Brendan Donovan and Masyn Winn had three hits each. Winn extended his hitting streak to 18 games.

“He continues to take professional at bats. He’s not trying to do too much. Whatever the game presents he’s willing to give it a good shot. Today was another example of that," Mamol said.

Jonathan India had an RBI single in the seventh and right fielder Dylan Carlson made a run-scoring throwing error in the eighth after replacing Lars Nootbaar, who left the game with an injury.

De La Cruz had two hits and is hitting .216 in May with 37 strikeouts. He has 74 strikeouts in 201 at-bats this season, tying teammate Will Benson for the major league lead through Wednesday afternoon's games.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cardinals; Lars Nootbaar, who missed two games with a tight hamstring, left the game in the seventh with an undisclosed injury.

Reds: TJ Friedl was 0 for 3 with two walks in his return after missing 15 games after he broke his left thumb when hit by a pitch from Kyle Harrison at San Francisco on May 12. Friedl was activated from the 10-day IL and 1B Mike Ford was designated for assignment.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (3-5, 5,64) will start Friday at Philadelphia. RHP Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.04) takes the mound for the Phillies.

Reds: RHP Graham Ashcraft (4-3, 4.67) starts Friday at the Chicago Cubs.

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Nolan Arenado's Home Run And Kyle Gibson Gem Stop Reds' Winning Streak

Nolan Arenado and Nolan Gorman each hit a two-run homer, helping Kyle Gibson and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Tuesday night.

Iván Herrera had three hits for St. Louis, which improved to 11-3 in its last 14 games.

Gibson (4-2) pitched six innings of two-hit ball. The right-hander struck out six and walked two.

Cincinnati had won a season-high four consecutive games. Will Benson led off the sixth with his eighth homer for the Reds' first hit of the night.

Cincinnati left-hander Andrew Abbott (3-5) permitted six runs and seven hits in six-plus innings. He went 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA in his previous four starts.

The Cardinals jumped in front on Masyn Winn's two-out RBI double in the third, stopping Abbott’s 14-inning scoreless streak. Winn extended his hitting streak to 17 games.

Herrera hit a one-out single in the fourth and Arenado followed with a drive to left for his fourth homer this season. It was Arenado's first homer since May 13.

Gorman added his ninth homer in the seventh. Gorman drove in Dylan Carlson, who reached on a leadoff walk.

The Cardinals played errorless baseball for the first time in 13 games.

Alec Burleson went 0 for 5 for St. Louis, ending his 11-game hitting streak ended.

TRAINING ROOM

Cardinals: OF Lars Nootbaar went 1 for 5 in his return to the lineup after missing two games with a tight hamstring.

Reds: LHP Alex Young was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Young, who had been sidelined by a back injury, pitched the eighth inning in his first appearance of the season. RHP Brett Kennedy was designated for assignment.

UP NEXT

Reds RHP Frankie Montas (2-3, 4.61 ERA) pitches on Wednesday. The Cardinals did not announce their starter before the game.

Nick Lodolo Healthy, Bullpen Stout As Reds Streak Trumps Cardinals Streak

Nick Lodolo's return after missing two starts was successful and Reds' relievers clipped the Cardinals' wings with a 3-1 win.

Cincinnati's bullpen was outstanding striking out seven batters to preserve the margin of victory.

Two streaks went in opposite directions. The Reds' winning streak extended to four games. The Cardinals five-game winning streak was snapped.

Paul Goldschmidt took Nick Lodolo deep for his seventh home run in the first inning with two outs.

Jeimer Candelario hit his sixth home run after missing two days with a stiff neck.  Cardinal starter Lance Lynn was the victim.

Lodolo finished with 5 1/3 innings, allowing the one run on five hits and zero walks. He struck out three.

"We knew this particular injury was not going to keep him out long," David Bell said. "Just having him out there was good for our team for sure. The more he's out there the better he is going to be."

Lynn's victimhood continued when the Reds parlayed faulty fielding by the normally slick fielding Cardinals coughed up two unearned runs. 

Nolan Arenado, owns 10 Gold Gloves, but booted Nick Martini's ground ball at third base. Jonathan India and Will Benson singled to score Martini. Benson was caught stealing on a design play in which India appeared to miss the sign. Jacob Hurtubise got a hot ground ball underneath the Gold Glove of first baseman, Paul Goldschmidt, who has four Gold Gloves himself.  India scored.

The Cardinals have made at least one error in 12 straight games.

Fernando Cruz struck out all five batters he faced in relief of Lodolo. Sam Moll struck out two of the three batters he faced. Cruz has entered the game with 19 runners on base and only 16 were stranded.

"I love when people are on base," Cruz said. "I love it because you bring me (in) with people on base. You have confidence in me. You have practically the result of the game in my hands. You put it in my hands. It is fun to have that responsibility."

"The ability (of Cruz) to go out for another inning was probably the key to the game from that side of the ball," Bell said. "I had zero hesitation to sending him out there. I thought there was a little adrenaline for him to go out there."

Lucas Sims faced the meat of the Cardinals order. He struck out Goldschmidt, Ivan Herrera and Arenado popped out for Sims first save.

"It was more about the importance of the game to keep the win streak going added to the adrenaline a little bit," Sims said. "I've faced those guys for  quite a long time now. There is kind of that cat and mouse aspect as far as what you've done in the past. You have respect for those guys. They're great hitters but is either them or us that was coming out on top. I wanted to make sure it was us."

Jonathan India Leads Reds Sweep Of Dodgers

The Reds feared rain and moved the starting time up an hour and a half to 12:10.

Jonathan India and Nick Martini had timely hits to lead the Reds to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It was the first winning series for the Reds since they took two out of three from the Philadelphia Phillies April 23 - April 25. It was their first sweep since they took three from the Los Angeles Angels from April 19 - April 21.

The Dodgers have lost a season-high five straight.

The Reds used a bullpen day to vanquish a talented Dodger lineup.

The Reds broke through with four runs off Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the third inning. Jacob Hurtubise singled to left field. Elly De La Cruz walked. Spencer Steer forced Hurtubise at third base. Jake Fraley's bid for an RBI single was thwarted by a diving stop by Gavin Lux. All hands were safe and loaded the bases. Jonathan India got two home with a ground single to right. India stole second and Nick Martini doubled the score with a bloop hit to left.

"It's a really good team, a talented team," Martini said of the Dodgers. "It is a great feeling any time you Sweep.  We were able to scratch some runs across."

Brent Suter started the game for Cincinnati. He gave up a single to Mookie Betts but retired Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, the two tough left-handed hitters in the Dodgers' lineup.

David Bell brought in Nick Martinez, who finished off the inning. He continued to pitch 4 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.

"My focus was way better today than last game, Martinez said.  With a team like that there is not a lot of room for error."

On May 16, pitched five innings against the Dodgers in a similar role when the Reds needed the relief pitchers to carry the leroad. He has totaled 9 1/3 against the Dodgers in 10 days.

The Dodgers' starter Yamamoto faced Martinez in the Japanese League.

"Yamamoto got a lot of wins against me in Japan," Martinez said.

Martinez has a 0.83 ERA as a reliever and a 7.36 ERA as a starter.

"Nick continues to show when he executes his pitches how good he is. To pitch so well against this team really says a lot," Bell said.

Carson Spiers was called in to start the sixth but the umpires ordered the grounds crew to put the tarp on the field. 

Spiers returned after an hour and nine minute rain delay to hold the Dodgers scoreless until one out in the ninth. 

Ohtani reached on a single off the glove of Steer at first base. He went to second on defensive indifference and scored on a Freddie Freeman's double.  Ohtani was 2-for-12 in the series.

Alexis Diaz replaced Spiers. He struck out Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pages to earn his 10th save in 12 tries.

"It starts with our pitchers.," Bell said "It doesn't matter (where in the game they pitch) They're ready to take the ball. Starting with Brent Suter, who did his job. It can easily throw you out of your routine. They are willing to do what it takes. That's where it starts. Nick Martinez took over." 

Spencer Steer And Will Benson To Support Hunter Greene To Beat The Dodgers Again

Spencer Steer hit a home run in the first inning for the second straight day and Will Benson hit a bomb to left center to back Hunter Greene's quality start to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 3-1.

His sixth home run of the season came off the Dodgers' starter from Lexington, Ky, Walker Buehler.

The Dodgers got the run back after they loaded the bases with no outs. Will Smith singled up the middle. Teoscar Hernandez ground ball was stopped by Elly De La Cruz but Smith beat his toss to second base. Hunter Greene walked Gavin Lux. Jason Heyward hit into a double play that allowed Smith to score and Kike Hernandez grounded out.

Will Benson hit his seventh home run of the season into the upper deck in left field to put the Reds up a run again.

Greene survived a double by Freddie Freeman and a triple by Shohei Ohtani to finish six innings. He turned in his third straight quality start with six innings, allowing one run on five hits and a walk. Greene struck out five batters.

"I was telling myself it was my game and I wanted that finish," Greene said. "I was trying to attack guys. It is a really, really good team. They know how to approach each inning and what pitches they're looking for. 

Greene's pitch count was high but David Bell let him pitch through the sixth with a grand total of 107 pitches.

"Hunter got better as the game went," Bell said. "He is going to get those opportunities. We want him out there."

The Reds needed at least six because they will have a bullpen day Sunday to set up Nick Lodolo for a start on Monday.

Fernando Cruz took over for Greene to start the seventh.

The Reds extended their lead against Buehler when Jacob Hurtubise doubled into the right field corner. De La Cruz followed with a run scoring single.

Sam Moll pitched a perfect eighth, striking out Ohtani for the third time in the game.

Alexis Diaz had to navigate the heart of the Dodgers' lineup, Freeman, Smith and Teoscar Hernandez to turn in his ninth save in 11 tries.

The Dodgers have lost four games in a row and are suffering from the same offensive struggles as the Reds have been for the last 30 games. They aren't scoring runs. Ohtani has been slowed also by a hamstring.

"It came down to not cashing in on some chances, Roberts said. "I thought that one inning Jason (Heyward) bases loaded nobody out. We stressed Greene right there. I thought he took a good at bat but ultimately hit into a double play. Then there was the situation like that (with Ohtani at third). The ball wasn't hit deep enough. We couldn't cash in. That was sort of the story of the game."

And Ohtani?

"Ohtani's had a little governor. He is nursing a little bit of a hamstring. So, our advice to him is just be smart with it. I think he was just going to leg out a double and the ball just didn't get in (to the infield) so he kept running. It is him just managing the hamstring. Today it was better than yesterday. We need him in there. We just didn't want to push it," Roberts said.

"I think it was on the homestand when he got hit by a throw over to first base hit him in the right hamstring. It kind of start it. The good thing, it wasn't a strain. It was kind of a contusion that we're trying to manage."

Jonathan India's Slam Beats Dodgers

Jonathan India hit a grand slam home run to lift the ailing Reds to a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. India had three hits and was a triple short of the cycle. He also walked in his last at bat.

Spencer Steer put the Reds on top in the first inning with a three-run home run. Steer's fifth home run of the season came off Dodgers' starter James Paxson with Stuart Fairchild and Jeimer Candelario on base via the base on balls.

Graham Ashcraft gave up the lead the next inning. He walked Teoscar Hernandez. Gavin Lux singled. They both moved up on a wild pitch. Chris Taylor doubled. Andy Pages singled with Taylor stopping at third. Mookie Betts second hit, a double scored Taylor.  Pages scored on a groundout by Shohei Ohtani.

Will Smith from the University of Louisville hit his sixth home run to extend the Dodgers' lead to 5-3 in the fifth inning.

Fairchild's fifth home run of the season hit the left field foul pole, leading off the fifth inning.

Paxson left the game with two outs and Steer on first Paxson's fourth issued pass. Yohan Ramirez entered the game for the Dodgers.

Ramirez hit Tyler Stephenson with a pitch, walked Santiago Espinal and forced the tying run home by hitting Nick Martini.

Alex Vesia got the emergency call from manager Dave Roberts.

India hit a grand slam off Vesia to put the Reds firmly in front 9-5. It was India's third home run of the season and third career grand slam.

Ashcraft turned the game over to Sam Moll with one out in the sixth inning and the bases empty.

He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, a walk and two hit batters. Ashcraft struck out three.

In a span of four batters, Fairchild took an extra-base hit away from Betts and robbed a home run from Smith.

"The offense was good. Fairchild out there in center field took some extra bases away from Mookie, from Will (Smith), robbed a homer. We had some really good at bats, could've scored some more runs but offensively we played a good ball game," Dodger manager Dave Roberts said.

Teoscar Hernandez led off the ninth with his 12th home run of the season. It came against Brent Suter. 

Fernando Tatis Jr. And Luis Arreaz Burn Reds To Take The Series

 

The San Diego Padres scored two runs in the 10th inning to take the series from the Reds, 6-4

Sam Moll started the 10th for Cincinnati with ghost runner Luis Campusano on second base. Luis Arraez bunted for his fourth hit of the game. Fernando Tatis Jr. doubled just inside the third base line to score Campusano. The Reds walked intentionally Jurickson Profar to load the bases. Jake Cronenworth delivered Arraez with a sacrifice fly.

"There was a lot to unpack, San Diego manager, Mike Schildt said. "We'll start with the 10th. Arraez bringing it with him, the guy has three hits on the day. He was just looking to make a good baseball play and was rewarded by beating it out. Tati (Fernando Tatis) just staying with it. He's had some good swings. He doesn't get discouraged and roped that ball down the left field line. Jake (Cronenworth) did enough. Arraez a nice read on the ball as well. There were a lot of good things."

Arraez had faith in Tatis.

"I laid down the bunt," Arraez said. "I just try to play for the team. I wanted to get Campy (Luis Campusano) to third. I got behind Tatis. I knew he just needed a fly ball and we score the run. I just bunted. I got my single but I just tried to move the runner."

Tatis who has struggle at times didn't allow the past haunt him.

"You have to stay with it," Tatis said. "This game is hard. I got results but it's one at bat. The result of the last at bat, you forget about it and go again. We're playing good baseball and you don't want to be the guy left behind."

The respect is mutual.

"Arraez gets you going," Tatis said of the player the Padres obtained on May 4 for four minor leaguers from Miami. "He's twitchy. He's the best hitters I've ever seen play in the game of baseball. That just motivates you." 

The Padres got a two-out, two-run double to take an early lead against Frankie Montas. 

Arraez opened the game with a single after a 4-for-4 night on Wednesday. Tatis Jr. forced Arraez at second base. Profar singled to send Tatis to third. Montas retired Jake Cronenworth on a fly out to shallow left but Manny Machado doubled into the right field corner to score both runners. 

"It is really hard to capture Arraez," Schildt said. "There are so many positives. This guy's been tremendous with great at bats the whole time. He comes in and sits right down with the I-pad and dissects Moll. He's a genius, man."

The Reds fought back with a run in the bottom of the inning. Jacob Hurtubise was hit by a pitch from Matt Waldron. Hurtubise stole second and scored when Jeimer Candelario tripled into the right field corner. Spencer Steer walked with two outs. The Reds tried a double steal. Candelario was first runed safe at home by umpire Marvin Hudson but the call was overturned to end the inning. 

The Padres added on in the second inning. 

David Peralta singled. Jackson Merrill beat out a bunt for a hit.

Montas hit Ha-Seong Kim with a pitch to load the bases. Kyle Higashioka forced Kim at second as Peralta scored. Arraez singled for second time in the game, scoring Merrill. It was Arraez seventh hit in his last seven at bats. He singled in his last at bat on Tuesday in going 2-for-4 in that game, making him 8-for-10 for the series.

The Reds got one run in the bottom of the inning after loading the bases with no outs. Nick Martini singled. Jonathan India walked. Luke Maile was accused of a four tip by umpire Hudson. The Reds argued that he didn't tip it as it rolled toward the Reds dugout. The runners moved up but David Bell lost his second argument. Maile, however singled to load the bases.  The leader in strikeout percentage in baseball, Will Benson, indeed struck out. Hurtubise singled to strong armed Tatis, who got to the ball quickly preventing India from scoring behind Martini. Elly De La Cruz struck out and Candelario grounded out to end the threat.

Nick Martini tied the game with his fourth home run. Enyl De Los Santos walked Steer to lead off the sixth.  Martini, who hit two home runs on opening day, belted an 0-1 pitch into the right field seats.

Jeremiah Estrada struck out five in two innings to get the win, his first of his career.

"Estrada did a good job getting out of the eighth. He's our most rested guy and we liked the matchups in the ninth," Schildt said.

Montas worked six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and a walk. He struck out three. Fernando Cruz struck out the side in the seventh, including Arraez to break his streak of hits at eight. Arraez finished 10-for-13 for the series.

"We don't quit out there or cry," Montas said. "We're all going 100 percent. It looks like we're getting closer and closer to go out there and put up a lot of runs. I feel like the guys are making good swings. A couple things don't fall in for them but we're on track for sure."

Alexis Diaz pitched a scoreless ninth and picked off Kim from second base after a double.

Arraez finished 10-for-13 for the series. Since he came to the Padres, he is hitting a red-hot .407 after hitting .299 with Miami.

"It's nice that the manager talks about me," Estrada said. "I just work hard. I just come in to play hard every day. I really enjoy this game. This game is hard. We got to enjoy this game. I just try to do my little things and hit the ball hard every time."

 

Reds Call Up Soldier For Reinforcements

 

Bring on the Army 

Jacob Hurtubise is the second West Point graduate to play in the Major Leagues.

After a good spring in Goodyear, Arizona, Hurtubise was optioned to Louisville.

He was recalled on May 13 when TJ Friedl was placed on the Injured List. 

The 26-year old left-handed batting outfielder from Zionsville, Indiana about 15 miles from downtown Indianapolis was lightly recruited by colleges and decided to accept an appointment to the US Army Academy at West Point along the Hudson River.

Graduates from US military academies are obligated to serve five years in the armed forces after graduation. In 2019 they changed the policy to allow athletes with professional contracts to delay the commitment until after their athletic career is over. 

“It allows me to play without any commitment currently to the military. My service time is just delayed until my baseball career is over,” Hurtubise explained. “I still owe five years of service. I’m not sure what capacity I will have to serve. I don’t know if it will be going back and teaching, or helping out with recruiting. Whatever it would be I’m excited to helping. They are a community that gave so much to me.”

Hurtubise attributes his plate discipline to the discipline he learned in the Army instilled in him since the BEAST which is the West Point boot camp for freshmen or plebes.

One of the duties is to set up the mess hall for upper classmen who eat first. Plebes are at the bottom of the list and treated as such until they progress through the system. It can be a humbling experience. Hurtubise is a yes sir, no sir interview. He is the first to do it in baseball.

Cincinnati native Roger Staubauch, a graduate of the Naval Academy, played in the NFL after he served four years in the navy, including a tour in Vietnam. David Robinson, also a Naval Academy graduate was allowed to play in the NBA under an agreement with Secretary of the Navy John Lehman. Robinson served as a civil engineering officer.

Hurtubise trained in air defense artillery. 

“I didn’t end up doing any of the specialty training,” Hurtubise said. “I signed my contract with the Reds so air defense was supposed to be my tool but I never got to it.”

Hurtubise was called up on May 13 when the Reds were on the Reds were in Arizona. It was the day TJ Friedl was placed on the injured list with a fractured thumb when he was hit by a pitch.

The young outfielder was invited to major league spring training for the first time this year. He was the Reds’ Position Player of the Year for 2023. Hurtubise hit .330 for Chattanooga and Louisville last season. He hit seven home runs and drove in 46 runs. He led the Southern League with 10 triples. Hurtubise was on base at a whopping .436 clip in three minor league seasons.

Hurtubise made history appearing against Arizona on May 15. He got his first hit on May 18 in Los Angeles. On May 21st he made his first start at Great American Ball Park in front of family and friends from Zionsville Community High School, where he ranked near the top of his class. 

He worked a walk in the first inning and his fly out allowed Jonathan India score the first run in a 2-0 win.

“It has been an unbelievable experience,” Hurtubise said. “Just a dream come true. I made mention to some of my friends and family. I don’t know how long playing professional baseball in the MLB has been a dream of mine. It is one of those things that has driven me for a long time now. I’m just excited to see how it continues to progress.”

Hurtubise expects to have a long career. He is blessed with above average speed, has an exceptional eye at the plate and superior discipline waiting for his pitch. Still, if baseball doesn’t work out like he expects, he has a military career in his back pocket to rely upon.

“That’s another exciting part, whenever I’m done playing baseball, I’ll be able to serve and give back to the country and the communities around.”

He is the first to compete under the new policy but Chris Rowley pitched in the Major Leagues for the Toronto Blue Jays. After three years as a first lieutenant in the Army, Rowley was granted an exception to pursue a baseball career which was granted in 2016. Walt French, who played outfield for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1923-29, attended West Point but did not graduate.

Padres Treat Former Teammate Rudely To Even The Series

 

Nick Martinez started in place of the injured Nick Lodolo. His former teammates, the San Diego Padres, treated him unkindly in a 7-3 win to even the series at a even the series at on game a piece.

His first order of business was to surrender Luis Arraez first home run of the season.

The Reds countered with a first inning home run off Michael King by Jeimer Candelario. It was Candelario's fifth of the season.

The Padres exploded for four more runs against Martinez, their teammate from last year, in the fourth an fifth.

Martinez pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and a walk.

In five starts, Martinez is 0-3 with a 7.36 ERA. As a reliever he is 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA in six appearances.

Why the discrepancy?

"I've had a lot of bad luck as a starter. I've had a lot of soft contact that fall in for hits. Today was the most different of all my starts.," Martinez said. "I didn't execute my pitches as I normally do. I've done a pretty good job to this point of executing my slider down and away off the plate. Today I had a lineup that feeds off off-speed pitches."

David Bell didn't want to dwell on it.

"I don't want to make a big deal out of that. Nick is a good pitcher," Bell said. "It was maybe not the best. He was just missing with some pitches some really close pitches he wasn't getting. Nick is a good pitcher and wants to be out there in most situation. It is incredible the attitude towards wanting to be on the mound."

 Jackson Profar walked to open the fourth and scored on Manny Machado's second double of the game. Luis Campusano and Tyler Ward singled to start the fifth. Fernando Tatis Jr. brought a run home with a single. Ward was thrown out rounding second to far. Profar doubled to score Tatis from first. Jake Croneworth singled to score Profar and send Martinez to the showers. 

San Diego crossed the plate twice against Brent Suter in the sixth with singles by David Peralta, who was called up before the game to replace the injured Xander Bogaerts, Wade and Arraez.

King walked Mike Ford to open the second but then retired 13 straight before Jacob Hurtubise walked. Candelario singled and Tyler Stephenson drove them both in with a two-out double.

The Reds wasted a leadoff double by Spencer Steer in the seventh.

Carson Spiers saved the bullpen by covering the final 3 1/3 scoreless innings. The Reds turned in four double plays or it would have been worse.

Arraez had four of the Padres 14 hits.

Heavy rains hit the ballpark in the bottom of the ninth but Robert Suarez retired the Reds in a scoreless innings.

 

Andrew Abbott Shuts Down Padres In Reds Home Opener

  

Andrew Abbott shut down the Padres over seven strong innings to lead the light hitting Reds to a 2-0 win to open this nine-game homestand.

The Reds scored a pair of unearned runs off Padres starter, Joe Musgrove in the second inning. 

Jonathan India walked in front of Will Benson's single. Musgrove  threw the ball away, trying to pick India off at second. The runners advanced. Jacob Hurtubise flied to left. Jurickson Profar's throw beat India at home plate but catcher Luis Campusano dropped the ball and India scored. Elly De La Cruz doubled to score Benson.

Andrew Abbott pitched seven scoreless innings before turning the game over to Fernando Cruz.

"Abbott was throwing strikes and getting ahead. He is very mature and very professional, He knows what he needs to do to be successfully. He is quiet but he's confident and he takes that confidence on to the field," David Bell said.

Abbott dropped his season ERA from 3.06 to 2.68. He allowed four singles and a walk with two strikeouts.

"Abbott pitches he does a nice job. He has a good arsenal," San Diego manager Mike Schildt said. "I saw him when he first came up. You could see the ability for sure and now he's continues to hone his craft. He threw the ball really well, changed speeds. He kept us off balance."

Cruz allowed a hit in his scoreless innings.  Alexis Diaz came in to close the game. 

Musgrove, Adrion Morejon, Jhony Brito, Yuki Matsui and Stephen Kolek held the Reds hitless after the second inning.

Diaz walked Profar to open the ninth. He struck out Manny Machado looking. Jake Croneworth hit into a double play to end the game. Diaz earned his eighth save in 10 tries.

Jake Fraley was hit with a pitch and had to leave the game in the second inning. He escaped a broken bone and will be evaluated on Wednesday.

"We've had a lot of guys hit. We've had a lot of guys hit in the hand," David Bell said. "I don't like to see our guys get hit. It messes with their career. It is not so much about the game. It affects our team. My frustration wasn't against any pitcher or any team. It's just that it's happened a lot. At some point enough is enough."

Bell was caught on camera throwing a chair in frustration.

"It hit me right below the knuckle. When I first got hit, I couldn't see anything but my whole hand was on fire. When we took off the mit, It was black and blue. By the time I got in here to the clubhouse, the black and blue had gone away. It was stiffening up," Fraley said.

Diamondbacks Sweep Reds

  

The Arizona Diamondbacks completed the sweep of the Reds with a 5-4 decision, sending the home team to its eighth straight loss and an 0-6 home stand.  

Joc Pederson, who had three hits, belted his fourth home run of the season in the first inning. Pederson was a candidate in the home run hitting contest at the 2015 All-Star game in Cincinnati.  He hit 26 home runs in his rookie season.

Hunter Greene got the first two outs before Pederson connected. It was the first run Greene has allowed in three starts, covering 12 2/3 innings. 

 

Diamondback starter Slade Cecconi didn't allow the Reds' first hit until Elly De La Cruz broke an 0-for-16 slump with a single in the fourth inning.

Jeimer Candelario's fourth home run of the season tied the game in the fifth inning. Will Benson nearly hit one out but it hit off the top of the right center field wall for his 10th double of the year. Cecconi got out of the inning with a tie.

Pederson led off the sixth inning with a single. Christian Walker took a base on balls from Greene. David Bell brought in Nick Martinez. Luis Gurriel Jr. doubled to score Pederson. Walker scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Eugenio Suarez. 

Greene was left with the game tied at 1-1 but pitched five innings, allowing three runs on four hits. He walked five and struck out six.

In five of Greene's eight starts, the Reds have scored two or fewer runs in five of them, two in which they were shut out.

"It was a sluggish day. I was just trying to grind through it and keep the team in the game," Greene said. "I was trying to be as effective as possible. I was trying to wake up. I didn't have to pop smelling salts in a while but I popped a couple of those. I was trying to wake up. Everybody goes through it sometime in our career. We know our bodies so well but sometimes we over think. Fighting off that negativity and not let negative thoughts creep in."

Arizona combined a one-out triple by Marte and an RBI single by Walker to extend the lead to 4-1.

Singles by Candelario, TJ Friedl and De La Cruz cut the lead to two off Logan Allen in the seventh. Arizona brought Ryan Thompson into the game. De La Cruz stole second. Spencer Steer fell behind 0-2 but singled to tie the game. 

With two outs in the eighth, Fernando Cruz walked Tucker Barnhart and pinch hitter Pavin Smith. Reigning Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll delivered the go-ahead run with a single to score Barnhart. 

Paul Sewald returning from a oblique injury earned his first save, striking out two.

The Reds have improved at the plate the last two games but have fallen one-run short.

"We fell short today. We talk about in here (with the press) but we don't talk a lot about in the clubhouse. We don't want it to pile up. I see signs that it is getting better," Bell said.

Diamondbacks Bite Snake Bit Reds Again To Take The Second Game Of The Series

  

The Reds knicked Jordan Montgomery for two runs but Eugenio Suarez homered and singled to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-3. It extended the Reds losing streak to seven games.

The Diamondbacks won three games in a row for the first time.

"I think these are good games for us to win," Torrey Lovullo said. "We have to win one-run games. We have to learn how to execute at critical points in the game and expect to have this type of outcome."

The Reds scored first in the game for the first time since Wednesday. They snapped a four-game, home stand long stretch by scoring off the starting pitcher in the second inning.

Tyler Stephenson doubled off Montgomery and continued to third when Lourdes Gurriel Jr. couldn't pick up the ball in the corner. Santiago Espinal hit the hardest ball of the inning but third baseman Eugenio Suarez dived for the ball and knocked the ball down. Kevin Newman picked it up and threw out Espinal. Stephenson had to freeze on the line drive. Stuart Fairchild singled home Stephenson.

Graham Ashcraft got into trouble in the third. Gabriel Moreno opened the inning with a single. He scored on a double by Pavin Smith. Corbin Carroll walked. Ketel Marte beat out an infield hit as Ashcraft was late covering on a ground ball to Jeimer Candelario at first base. Christian Walker walked to score Smith.

The Reds tied the game in the fourth. Stephenson singled to open the inning against Montgomery. Espinal forced Stephenson at second. He scored from first on a double by Candelario, his second hit.

The Diamondbacks regained the lead in the sixth. Gurriel and Suarez singled to open the inning against Ashcraft.

David Bell brought in Fernando Cruz.  He was coming to his 17th game. Starting the inning, Cruz has inherited 15 runners and stranded 13 of them. One of the two inherited runners scored when Moreno found a hole up the middle to plate Gurriel. Cruz stranded two to end the inning.

Ashcraft (3-2) allowed three earned runs in five plus innings. He gave up six hits, walking three and striking out two. He left with a 3.86 ERA.

 Former Reds' slugger hit his third home run of the season. It came against Lucas Sims with two outs. Suarez has now hit 99 home runs at GABP.

"Baseball is hard," Lovullo said of Suarez, who came into the game hitting just .215 with two home runs. "It is hard to be consistent and hit every night. I know Geno (Suarez) had a good work day today. I had a conversation with the hitting coach (Joe Maither) and he told me to expect some barrel awareness. Geno had a good night two hits and his 249th home run."

Montgomery lasted seven innings, giving up two runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out to improve to 2-2 on the season.

"I'm definitely getting closer," Montgomery said. "After the way it went for the Dodgers I just had to get back out there. It was good to get back out there and have better results. I still have to execute some pitches."

The Red put Kevin Ginkel to the test. Pinch hitter Jake Fraley walked to open the inning. Pinch hitter Mike Ford, who was re-signed by the Reds when they placed Christian Encarnacion-Strand on the injured list. He flied out but Jeimer Candelario singled for his third hit. TJ Friedl lined a single to right to score Fraley and send Candelario to third with one out. Will Benson was announced as the pinch hitter. Lovullo brought in left-hander Joe Mantiply. He struck out Benson. Friedl stole second to put the potential winning run in scoring position. Jonathan India flied out to right to end the game.  

"What Joe Mantiply did today was unbelievable," Lovullo said. "In a very uncommon way, he got himself ready in less than a batter. He made pitch after pitch and picked up his teammates."

"I was committed to Kevin at a certain point. I saw that they were maneuvering and they were going to have some left-handed batters. I thought Joe was the best guy."

Mantiply picked up his first save of the season and the first since 2022 when he had two for the Diamondbacks. Mantiply did not pitch in 2017 and 2018. He spent two springs in the Reds' camp.

"I was trying to stay ready. I got hot earlier," Mantiply said. "It didn't take me long. Obviously, I was hoping Gink would work through that. The call came and I had to be ready."

Corbin Carroll Drives In Five Runs As Diamondbacks Bite Reds

  

Corbin Carroll homered and drove in five runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks poisoned the Reds in the opening game of the series with a 6-2 win.

TJ Friedl returned to the top of the Reds' lineup but the hitting woes continued to produce zeroes for the snakebitten Reds as they dropped their sixth straight game, scoring three runs on the four-game home stand. 

Zac Gallen barely broke a sweat as only Jake Fraley had a hit in six innings for the Reds.

Frankie Montas returned after missing two starts after getting hit on the right forearm on April 21.  He was effective. The Diamondbacks scored a run in the third and one in the fifth.

"They are trying to do what they need to do to get out of slumps. Everyone here has the right mentality," Montas said. "They know its a long season. We've only played like 30 something games. We still have 120 to play. The way they are approaching this right now. They are not putting their heads down and feeling defeated or how bad we're losing."

Montas retired the first six Arizona hitters before walking Jake McCarthy to open the third. Former Red Tucker Barnhart bounced a single over the head of Christian Encarnacion-Strand for a base hit that sent McCarthy to third. Montase got Kevin Newman to popped out. Corbin Carroll hit a high chop back to Montas who could only force Barnhart at second as McCarthy scored.

Barnhart reached on an error by Elly De La Cruz in the fifth. Newman singled. Carroll singled to drive in his second run of the game.

Montas finished six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk. He struck out seven.

"Frankie was really good, David Bell said. "His velocity was back for sure. He had a good split and good cutter. The first time back after a layoff he got us deep into it. A lot of that had to do with how good his stuff was."

Justin Wilson entered the game in the seventh.  

Pinch hitter Randall Grichuk singled to open the inning. Barnhart forced him at second trying to sacrifice him to second. Former Red Newman singled. Carroll followed with his second home run of the season. It gave Carroll five RBI for the game. Ketel Marte lifted his seventh home run. It was the Diamondbacks' second set of back-to-back homers of the season.

Buck Farmer relieved Wilson. 

Gallen allowed one hit and three walks in six scoreless innings. In the four game home stand the Reds have not scored on a starting pitcher.

Jonathan India hi his second home run of the season with the bases empty in the seventh inning. It broke a four game streak with no home runs as a team. 

Tyler Stephenson connected for his fourth home run of the season. He victimized Paul Seward in his first game of the season. The Diamondbacks' closer missed the beginning of the season with a strained oblique. 

"It was about tonight," Bell said. "We weren't able to get anything done tonight. Zac Gallen had a lot to do with that. It is one pitch at a time. We'll come back tomorrow and do it all over again. That's how we'll get through this."

The Diamondbacks broke a four-game losing streak. 

 Frankie Montas

David Bell