D-backs Blow Lead, Lose 7-6
By Nicholas Valenzuela
The Arizona Diamondbacks (44-48) got of to a quick start on Thursday night in Cincinnati, but were unable to keep the lead in a 7-6 loss to the Reds (52-40).
Paul Goldschmidt got the scoring started in the top of the first inning when he singled to center field, plating Willie Bloomquist and putting the snakes up 1-0.
Aaron Hill continued his impressive offensive campaign this season by singling to right center field, scoring Bloomquist and tacking on to Arizona’s lead, 2-0. Hill would add another RBI with a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, extending Arizona’s lead to 3-0.
The snakes would benefit from a big sixth inning when Chris Young doubled to deep left-center field, scoring Justin Upton. Henry Blanco would score Young on a two run blast to left field, putting the D-backs up 6-0, and in a good position for the victory.
The Reds would not go quietly however. In the bottom half of the inning, Brandon Phillips pounded a three run home run to left field, scoring Drew Stubbs and Wilson Valdez, and cutting Arizona’s lead to 6-3.
Cincinnati would come up big in the bottom of the seventh inning to complete an unlikely comeback. The home team would add another run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Valdez safely reached second on an error by Arizona first baseman Goldschmidt, allowing Xavier Paul to score. Stubbs and Valdez would then score on an RBI double by Phillips to tie the score up at 6-6. With Phillips on second base, Todd Frazier would come up to the plate and put the Reds on top 7-6 on an RBI single to center field.
Phillips had a huge night for Cincinnati, going 2-4 with two runs scored and collecting five RBIs on the evening.
Joe Saunders provided a strong start for Arizona, allowing three runs on four hits through six strong innings. Unfortunately for Saunders, Arizona’s bullpen provided their first poor outing since the All-Star break. The bullpen allowed two hits, two earned runs and two walks in three innings of relief.
The D-backs head home for a three game series against the visiting Houston Astros, where Trevor Cahill will get the ball on Friday night to open the series.