Reds outlast Diamondbacks 6-5 in 10 innings

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The Reds won their sixth straight game on Friday, which got more dramatic than expected after blowing a 5-0 lead against the Diamondbacks. It was a true team effort with appearances from seven pitchers and five different hitters driving in runs in the extra-inning win.

Offense

The Reds stayed hot at the plate in the 6-5 win, even as they were well under their season average of 9.5 runs. It appeared Jesse Winker hit a home run on the first pitch of the game; however, the folks in Secaucus, NJ had other ideas as replay ruled it a 408-foot double. The Reds welcomed Winker back to the lineup after he missed 4 games to a bout with the flu (not COVID), but you would never know it as he went 3-for-3 with two doubles on the evening (he later left the game with calf cramps after scoring on an Eugenio Suarez sac fly).

There would be no replay for Tyler Naquin’s monster home run (111.3 mph, 454 feet) in the top of the fourth inning, which made made him the league leader in home runs along with teammate Nick Castellanos.

Question: Who currently leads the league in home runs?

Answer: Tyler Naquin pic.twitter.com/bMX1htC8RV

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 10, 2021

The Reds tacked on two more runs in the fifth on a fielder’s choice where the 2nd baseman misplayed a Joey Votto ground ball with the bases loaded, and a sacrifice fly by Eugenio Suarez on the next at-bat. Tucker Barnhart hit two doubles on the night, including one that scored Naquin to make it 5-0 Reds in the top of the sixth inning.

By the time they came to the plate in the top of the ninth, it was now 5-5, and Castellanos started off the inning with a leadoff single up the middle. But a Votto popout and Suarez GIDP meant they would have to go to extra innings to get the win.

In the top of the 10th, Suarez began the inning on second base due to the carryover rule implemented in the 2020 season. Mike Moustakas advanced him to third on groundout to the right side. Aristides Aquino was set to pinch hit but was intentionally walked. Tyler Stephenson struck out looking, but Barnhart came up with the game-winning hit to score Suarez and give the Reds a 6-5 lead, which Amir Garrett would make sure they held onto.

Tuck in the clutch! pic.twitter.com/aomqoQmecw

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 10, 2021

Pitching

Tyler Mahle came out firing with his 4-seam fastball in the top of the first, consistently throwing it over 97 mph and well above his 2020 average of 93.9 mph. He ran into a bit of trouble walking Christian Walker and David Peralta back to back, in what ended up being a 32-pitch first inning. Jesse Winker made a key sliding catch on a short fly to right to keep a run from crossing the plate. Mahle was able to settle in the rest of his outing which ended after four innings and 92 pitches. He didn’t give up a hit, walked four total batters, and struck out six. He was able to get swing and misses on 40% of pitches and didn’t allow a single hard-hit ball (95+ mph exit velocity), with the Diamondbacks’ max exit velocity at 93.8 mph.

Tejay Antone came in to pitch the fifth and sixth innings and afforded the Diamondbacks their first hit, a single to left to Carson Kelly. After that hit though, Antone displayed some of his best pitching during the young season. In his two innings, he allowed no runs and struck out 3 batters, including his fastest career pitch clocked at 99.5 mph. He was consistently throwing his curveball with 50+ inch vertical break and 3100+ RPM.

Cam Bedrosian came in during the bottom of the seventh and allowed two singles and a sac fly to bring the score to 5-1 Reds. He recorded two outs and left with two runners on base, as Sean Doolittle came in relieve him. He immediately gave up a double to Kole Calhoun, scoring both runners and bringing the score to 5-3. Mike Moustakas made an excellent catch at third base on a scorching line drive (105.6 mph, .620 xBA) to end the inning.

Lucas Sims, who had looked unhittable in his two outings against the Pirates, struggled when he entered in the bottom of the eighth inning. He allowed a walk to Asdrubal Cabrera and a two-run home run to Eduardo Escobar to tie the game at 5 before getting out of the inning.

Cionel Perez pitched the bottom of the ninth relatively drama free, allowing a walk but swiftly recording three outs with 10 pitches.

Amir Garrett got the tough assignment of coming in with a runner already on second base. He allowed a grand slam in the ninth inning in his last outing in a low-leverage situation, so it was encouraging to see him slam the door in the manner he did in the highest possible leverage outing. AG began the inning with an easy infield pop up for out one, which loomed large as the next hitter flied out to center. He walked Josh Rojas, and then intentionally walked Carson Kelly which loaded the bases after a signs cross-up with Barnhart allowed both runners to advance. Amir induced a groundout to second, getting a huge save that should give him confidence moving forward.

Stats

Hardest-Hit Balls

• Tyler Naquin: 111.3 mph | Home run in 4th inning
• Joey Votto: 106.0 mph | Groundout in 1st inning
• Jesse Winker: 105.3 mph | Single in 5th inning

Unluckiest Out of the Day

• Joey Votto: .760 xBA | Flyout in 7th inning

Highest Velocities By Pitcher

• Tyler Mahle: 97.7 mph
• Tejay Antone: 99.5 mph
• Sean Doolittle: 95.0 mph
• Lucas Sims: 95.1 mph
• Cionel Perez: 97.5 mph
• Amir Garrett: 97.4 mph

Highest Pitch Spins

• Tejay Antone: 3,321 rpm | Curveball

Most Pitch Movement

• Tejay Antone: 55 inches vertical movement | Curveball

Team Expected Batting Averages (xBA)

• Diamondbacks: .203
• Reds: .277

What’s Next?

The Reds look to continue their win streak in game two against the Diamondbacks. First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. EST as Jeff Hoffman takes the mound against Riley Smith.

Featured Image: Rich von Biberstein (Icon Sportswire)

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