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Matt McLain hit the decisive home run, one of three by the Reds, to lift the Reds to a 4-2 win to sweep the Arizona Diamondbacks.
McLain hit one of three home runs that powered the Reds to the win.
"We set out to win the game today and that's a hard game to win," Terry Francona said. "We had a couple relievers that weren't available and a couple of guys we wanted to avoid."
McLain has been struggling but signs are pointing to his emergence as the hitter the Reds expect him to be. He had a huge bunt single in the eight run inning that put the game away on Saturday and added a single in this game.
"I was actually thinking that bunt he had yesterday. I think things like that really help. When you have guys, teammates beating you on the back and telling you good job, goes a long way."
Eugenio Saurez hit his 18th home run and second in as many days to put the Diamondbacks ahead in the second innings.
Alek Thomas started the third inning against Brady Singer with a single. Catcher Jose Herrera bunted Thomas to second. He scored on a single by Corbin Carroll.
Zac Gallen held the Reds to a single by Matt McLain until Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit his third home run of the series, one in each game, one out into the fourth inning. It is the fifth of the season for CES after recovering from a lower back strain that cost him 45 games.
"He's given us a huge lift. We've tested him a little bit at third and first," Francona said. "He's holding his own just fine and he's swinging at strikes. He's so strong that he gets really dangerous."
Jose Trevino led off the fourth home run to leadoff the bottom of the fifth to tie the game.
Singer pitched five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks. He was aided by two 4-6-3 double plays, both by Geraldo Perdomo and three strikeouts. He was hit on the right arm by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. but finished the fourth and survived two walks in the fifth inning.
"He actually politicked to stay in and give the kid credit. In my younger days he might have talked me into it. I just thought we can't lose a starting pitcher," Francona said. "It wasn't the easy thing to do because guys are competing but it was the right thing to do."
Singer admitted the arm was sore but wanted to continue.
"It's a little sore but I'll be fine," Singer said. "I definitely wanted to stay in there but it didn't change my decisions but it was weird and a little different."
Scott Barlow started the sixth against Josh Naylor and had Naylor in a 1-2 hole when rain stopped the game. After a 31 minute delay Naylor grounded out. Barlow pitched a 1-2-3 inning.
Taylor Rogers took over in the seventh and turned in a perfect inning. Rogers picked up the win with two 1-2-3 innings.
"Taylor Rogers did a great job," Francona said. "If he stumbles, nothing comes together."
Gallen started the seventh and got the first batters but Jake Fraley singled and McLain hit his seventh home run of the season and first since May 15 against the Chicago White Sox.
"I was trying to stay up the middle and got a little out front," McLain said of the drive that cleared the left field barrier. "Through it all I've been trying to play the game the right way, play hard, control what I can, knowing it is going to show up."
Tony Santillan pitched a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the season.
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