The Arizona Diamondbacks secured a crucial victory in their game against the Cincinnati Reds, maintaining their spot in the National League’s wild-card race. The Diamondbacks emerged victorious with a score of 5-2 thanks to Christian Walker’s eighth-inning sacrifice fly.
In a tightly contested match, Arizona took three out of four games against the Reds, giving them a comfortable 1 1/2 game lead over Cincinnati in the wild-card standings. The victory not only solidified their position but also showcased their determination to secure a playoff spot.
The pivotal moment of the game came in the eighth inning when Corbin Carroll walked and stole second base, marking his 40th steal of the season. Ketel Marte also drew a walk, leading to the Reds replacing Ian Gibaut on the mound with Lucas Sims. Sims struggled to find control and issued a walk to Tommy Pham, loading the bases for the Diamondbacks. It was at this juncture that Walker delivered a deep fly to center, allowing Carroll to score and advancing Marte to third. Pham then stole second, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drew a walk, once again loading the bases. Evan Longoria followed with a sacrifice fly to left, bringing home Marte. Finally, Alek Thomas added an RBI single, accounting for the only hit in the inning and extending the Diamondbacks’ lead to 5-2.
Records were broken during the game as Carroll joined an exclusive club of rookies with at least 20 home runs and 40 steals. This accomplishment puts him in the company of Tommie Agee, Mitchell Page, and Mike Trout. With 22 home runs this season, Carroll proved to be a key player for the Diamondbacks.
In terms of pitching, Arizona’s Scott McGough excelled, delivering 1 2/3 dominant innings and striking out three batters. Ryan Thompson, who was recently called up from Triple-A, secured his first save of the season.
Slade Cecconi started the game on the mound for the Diamondbacks, impressing with 5 2/3 innings pitched, allowing only three hits and one run. He showcased his skills by striking out five batters and issuing no walks. Cecconi retired a staggering 15 consecutive batters after surrendering a leadoff hit to TJ Friedl.
On the other side, Graham Ashcraft put on a solid performance for the Reds, lasting 6 2/3 innings and only walking one batter. Although he gave up seven hits and two runs, Ashcraft also managed to strike out five opponents.
Notably, Corbin Carroll made a valiant effort to turn a triple into an inside-the-park home run during the fifth inning. He hit the ball off the center-field wall, but the relay throw from Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz reached an impressive speed of 99.7 mph, denying Carroll the opportunity for an exciting play.
In other news, the Reds recalled Daniel Duarte from Louisville, marking his fifth call-up this season. Duarte boasts a 3.86 ERA in 18 2/3 innings pitched. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks made room for Ryan Thompson by designating Nabil Crismatt for assignment. Crismatt had shown promise in his first game for Arizona, pitching two scoreless innings.
Looking ahead, the Reds will kick off a series against the San Francisco Giants, with Andrew Abbott getting the start for Cincinnati. The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, will travel to Los Angeles to face off against the Dodgers, with Zac Gallen taking the mound for Arizona.
Overall, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ victory against the Cincinnati Reds not only solidified their wild-card spot but also showcased their determination and strong performance on both sides of the field. As the playoff race intensifies, the Diamondbacks will look to maintain their form and secure a spot in the postseason.
