Reds Down D-backs 4-2

Offense can't get going, Pfaadt falters in the 6th allowing three solo homers

The Diamondbacks dropped their second straight game to the Cincinnati Red 4-2. They are 2-6 on this road trip and their record drops to 54-45. It's the first time they've been less than 10 games over .500 since they ended the day 32-23 on May 30th. 

Brandon Pfaadt pitched a great game until he didn't. His day began with a bases loaded nobody out jam in the first inning thanks to a base hit, an error by Ketel Marte and a hit by pitch. But he got out of the inning with  two strikeouts and a groundout. 

Including those three outs Pfaadt retired 15 straight batters and had six strikeouts.  In an unexpected pitcher's duel Reds starter Brandon Williamson matched Pfaadt by not giving up his first hit until the 5th inning, a leadoff double by Evan Longoria. He was stranded however, never advancing beyond second base.  In the sixth inning Jake McCarthy led off with a double  too and this time Marte singled him home scoring the first run of the game, giving Pfaadt a 1-0 lead. 

The bottom of the sixth inning started off with a pop out but then Pfaadt's gopher ball problem returned. He allowed three straight solo homers to TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, and Jake Fraley and just like that the Reds had a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish.  Pfaadt got the last two outs of the inning but the damage was done.  

While there was much to be pleased about in this outing, Pfaadt has now allowed 12 homers in 31.2 innings pitched. On top of his 61 homers allowed in 359 minor league innings it's clear that Pfaadt simply cannot get away with leaving pitches up in the zone, even on the edges. 

Corbin Carroll hit a solo homer in the top of the 9th, his 20th of the year.  A bloop double by Christian Walker with outs brought the tying run to the plate, but Alek Thomas struck out to end the game against Reds all star closer Alexis Diaz who recorded his 29th save.  Williamson got the win and is 2-2 while Pfaadt falls to 0-4

The D-backs managed just five hits in the game and outside of a 16 run outburst in Atlanta the offense malaise for the team continues. Going back to July 2nd they've lost 11 of their last 14 games and will playing to avoid the sweep tomorrow and stay in a wild card position in the standing. 

The series finale is tomorrow at 10:40 A.M. MST.  The D-backs will be going with a bullpen game while the Reds will start former Diamondback Luke Weaver. 

Health Update:

Gabriel Moreno was scratched before the game due to left shoulder soreness and the team is still evaluating him.