Cincinnati — Cincinnati, (AP) — Ellie Delacruz hit a leadoff homer for the first time in his career and Nick Senzel connected it with a two-run shot as the Cincinnati Reds swept the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-3 on Sunday.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand had two hits and two RBIs to give Cincinnati five straight wins overall. It was the Reds’ first win over the Diamondbacks since July 6-8, 2007 at the Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati (55-46) is within half a game of NL Central leader Milwaukee. The Reds start a three-game set against the Brewers on Monday night.
“The Diamondbacks just won a big series in Atlanta,” Senzel said. “They’re a young, talented team like us. We knew we had to play our best baseball, and we did it. To get three big wins against them was huge.”
Derek Law (4-4) won without conceding a goal. Lucas Sims got two outs and made his second save.
Arizona (54-46) loaded the bases in the ninth, but Lourdes Gurriel Jr. bounced back for a game-ending double play.
“We’re not playing the type of baseball we’ve been playing all year,” Diamondbacks manager Tory Rovuro said. “We are all frustrated by it.”
Corbyn Carroll hit his 21st home run for the Diamondbacks, and Ketel Marte went 2-for-2 with 3 walks.
Right-hander Jose Luis made his 38th appearance and second career start for Arizona in a bullpen game. It was Lewis’ first start since September 26, 2019.
Lewis committed a pitching clock violation before his first pitch of the game. After that, Dela Cruz hit his fifth home run of the season with a count of 3-1.
Dela Cruz, who had been tussling at bat, was dropped from the starting lineup on Saturday. It seemed as if the rest helped the newcomers.
“Exactly what we pictured,” said Reds manager David Bell. “Ellie was great. She looked a little refreshed.”
In the second inning, Senzel hit eight homers to make it 3-0. Lewis allowed five hits in one 2/3 inning.
“Ellie got the start and set the tone,” Sensel said. “I was just trying to get a good at-bat and build on what Ellie did to get us started.”
Reds right-hander Luke Weaver allowed eight hits and three runs over the fourth inning. He dropped out of his last start in the third inning after being hit in the left arm with a line drive.
The Diamondbacks scored first when Reds first baseman Spencer Steer floated the ball over Weaver’s head and into the right field line. Gerardo Perdomo scored the first goal in the fifth inning from a throwing mistake.
Carroll followed with a two-run tie to the center. The rookie also hit a home run in Saturday’s 4-2 loss.
“I knew it was a home run from the beginning,” Carroll said. “I’m glad we were able to score a goal and tie the game.”
Cincinnati regained the lead in the sixth inning with an RBI double off of Tyler Gilbert off Jake Fraley (0–1) before scoring a breakthrough in the eighth inning with a three-run RBI double. Stair hit a RBI and Encarnacion-Strand added two more with a bases-loaded single.
The Diamondbacks won 9-1 with runners in scoring position. They wrapped up a 2v7 road trip.
“It’s a tough situation for us,” Carroll said. “Everyone trusts each other so much. It can be a little sample. We have to keep playing. Don’t change our game. Keep trying to get better.”
a familiar enemy
Cincinnati is 2-8 against Milwaukee this year. The next series will be the final matchup of the season between rivals in the National League Central.
“We know what we’re up against,” Bell said. “They have a good team. No doubt our players want that opportunity. They have worked hard to put us in situations where these games matter. We have a lot of confidence in our play.”
trainer room
Diamondbacks: C Gabriel Moreno (left shoulder inflammation) is placed on the 10-day disabled list and C Jose Herrera recalled from Triple-A Reno.
Reds: RHP’s Teejay Antone (Tommy John surgery) begins rehab duties in the Arizona Complex League on Tuesday. If all goes well, he should be back by August 19th.
next
Reds: RHP Graham Ashcraft (5-7, 5.77 ERA) faces Brewers’ RHP Colin Ray (5-4, 4.64 ERA) on Monday.
Diamondbacks: RHP’s Rein Nelson (6-5, 4.82) will start Monday’s series opener against the Cardinals. Adam Wainwright (3-4, 7.66 ERA) heads to St. Louis.
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