Arizona
Christian Encarnacion-Strand homers in Cincinnati Reds win vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
GOODYEAR, Arizona − The Cincinnati Reds (7-6-1) outlasted the Arizona Diamondbacks (6-8-1) on Saturday in a high-scoring, 9-8 win played before a Goodyear Ballpark sellout crowd of 10,311.
Cincinnati Reds use nine pitchers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Nick Lodolo, the Reds’ originally-scheduled starter on Saturday, ended up getting his day’s work in on a backfield at the Reds’ Player Development Complex. Reds manager Terry Francona said after the game Lodolo threw 63 pitches.
About a mile away at Goodyear Ballpark, Cincinnati opted to go with a bullpen game, and by “bullpen game,” that meant a new pitcher each inning.
Bryan Shaw threw the Reds’ only scoreless and hitless frame on the day. Lyon Richardson, Taylor Rogers, Joe LaSorsa and Lenny Torres allowed at least one hit apiece but kept the Diamondbacks off the scoreboard.
Francona also deployed Ian Gibaut (one run allowed), Alex Young (four runs via a grand slam), Sam Moll (one run) and Luis Mey (a two-run homer) for an inning apiece.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Austin Hays key Reds’ big fourth inning
The Reds batted around in the fourth inning and plated five runs to take a 6-1 lead.
The Reds’ onslaught started when Christian Encarnacion-Strand pumped a two-run homer into the grass berm in left field. That followed Jake Fraley’s leadoff hit-by-pitch.
Hitting from the right side of the plate, Elly De La Cruz singled to drive in a run. Then, Austin Hays singled up the middle to drive in two more runs.
Hays went 2-for-3 at the plate after Reds’ manager Terry Francona heaped praise on him during his morning meeting with reporters. So far, it looks like the offseason move to bring Hays in is working out.
Cincinnati would later go ahead for good in the sixth inning. The Reds sent eight batters to the plate and, aided by three walks and a hit-by-pitch, tacked on three runs to go back in front, 9-6.
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suarez still has plenty of power
Eugenio Suarez, the former Reds slugger, made life difficult for his former club on Saturday. He struck out in both of his first two at-bats but in the top of the fifth inning lined a grand slam to left field in front of a packed, bipartisan Goodyear Ballpark. That cut the Reds’ lead to 6-5.
Stat of the day, courtesy of Terry Francona
According to the Reds’ skipper, Cincinnati batters ran 15 full counts and reached base in 10 of those plate appearances. Needless to say, Francona was very happy with that.
“That was really good to say,” Francona said.
Next up for the Reds: A trip to Tempe to face the Los Angeles Angels
Cincinnati will head east from Goodyear on Sunday to face the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe-Diablo Stadium (4:10 p.m. ET; Radio: 700WLW). The Reds’ Graham Ashcraft is scheduled to face Jack Kochanowicz. Presumptive Reds closer Alexis Diaz is scheduled to pitch, which would mark his debut appearance this spring. RH Graham Ashcraft vs. RH Jack Kochanowicz.