The Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds played to a 3-3 tie at Goodyear Ballpark. Brandon Pfaadt was stellar in his first start of the spring, firing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Pfaadt was operating in the 92-95 MPH range for both of his fastballs and had solid command of his sweeper. The lone hit came from Jeimer Candelario, who barreled up a changeup in the middle of the zone for a double. He bounced back to freeze Spencer Steer on a sweeper that clipped the low-outside corner on this 30th and final pitch for a strikeout.
Brandon Pfaadt works 2 scoreless innings on 30 pitches. Allowed just one hit and struck out 2.
— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcDMLB) February 27, 2025
Last pitch to Steer was a chef's kiss pitch. pic.twitter.com/oB0OBXU7ov
It was a good sign for Pfaadt, who had pretty good command of his fastball and sweeper combination. The sweeper in particular was devastating, generating two whiffs and two called strikes on six pitches. As was the case in the Steer at-bat, the last sweeper was in the ideal location for the pitch.
While Pfaadt could be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, this start keeps him in the mix. As he continues to compile good starts, he could force the organization into a touch decisions.
It was another strong day for Ildemaro Vargas, who has taken the lead for the backup shortstop battle. He doubled home a run and drew a walk, helping the Diamondbacks to score in the third and sixth innings. He is 5-for-11 at the plate with a home run and two doubles. While Garrett Hampson and Grae Kessinger not putting up a strong performance at the plate this spring, this further helps Vargas' case.
Ryan Thompson and Yilber Diaz both made their spring debuts and look solid. Thompson set the side in order in the third inning, with his sinker in the 88-91 MPH range. Yilber Diaz showed better command of his pitches, including his upper 90s fastball, which generated two whiffs. In addition to the fastball, he was spotting his slider very well at the bottom of the zone.
The Diamondbacks built a 3-0 lead in six innings, but it quickly evaporated in the eighth. After giving up a triple and a walk to start the frame, Kyle Backhus induced a groundout for the first out. But then a streak of poor luck seemed to hit the left-handed reliever. On four hits that didn't leave the infield, the Reds had cut the lead to one. By the time Zane Russell was able to complete the inning, the game was tied.
Both teams got the go-ahead run in scoring position in the ninth, but couldn't get the run home. As a result, the game finished in a 3-3 tie after nine innings.
The Diamondbacks will conclude February by hosting Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals at Salt River Fields. Merrill "The Mainstay" Kelly will be making his first appearance of the spring, while left-hander Kris Bubic will oppose him. First pitch will be at 1:10 P.M. The game will be broadcast on radio only, but both teams will have an audio feed.