Grit Index: Goldschmidt’s multi-homer night sparks D-backs’ victory over Reds

Paul Goldschmidt once. Paul Goldschmidt twice.

The Diamondbacks (should be All-Star) first baseman went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in
an 11-5 series-opening victory against the Cincinnati Reds in front of 27,819 at Chase Field Friday.

The first home run, No. 18, broke a 3-3 tie and highlighted a four-run fifth inning. The second home run, No. 19, opened the scoring on another four-run frame, this time in the sixth.

For Goldschmidt, who hit 20 home runs all of last season, it marked his third career multi-homer game.

He leads the National League with 65 RBI.

All of the offense — the 11 runs were season-high at home, enabled starter Wade Miley to escape with a no decision despite not finishing the fifth. He allowed three runs on five hits, including a solo home run to Jay Bruce, in 4 2/3 innings, his shortest outing since going 3 2/3 innings against San Diego on May 25.

The win was the third straight for the D-backs, who lead the NL West by 2.5 games.

The Good:

Jason Kubel went 4-for-5, tying his career-high for hits in a game for the seventh time.

Willie Bloomquist snapped an 11 at-bat hitless drought with a two-out, two-run single in the second.

The Bad:

Miley issued four free passes, marking the fifth time in 15 starts he’s walked three or more batters in a game. Command has been an issue for the left-hander, who has now walked 31 in 88 innings pitched compared to 37 in 194.2 innings pitched last season.

Cody Ross struck out three times, all looking as he went 0-for-4 with a walk and run scored.

Diamondbacks starting pitchers are winless in the last 14 games.

Stat(s) of the Game:

12: Number of go-ahead home runs for Goldschmidt this season

5: Number of career lead-off home runs for Gerardo Parra, and they have all come this season

Noted:

• Zeke Spruill made his Major League debut, pitching a scoreless sixth inning.

• J.J. Putz, making his second appearance on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno, allowed a lead-off walk before striking out the side in his one inning of work.

He Said It:

“I don’t think we’ve ever beat him,” manager Kirk Gibson said of Reds starter Johnny Cueto who entered the game 5-0 in six career starts against Arizona. “We had a good approach on him. He didn’t have probably the command that he would like. We got some guys on, got some pressure. We were 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position throughout the whole game, so we got some key hits.”

Up Next:

Patrick Corbin will make his fourth attempt at win No. 10, trying to become the fifth 10-game winner in the Majors and the first D-backs pitcher to start 10-0 in club history. This will be Corbin’s (9-0, 2.28 ERA) second career start against the Reds, who counter with former ASU Sun Devil Mike Leake in the second game of the three-game weekend series. Leake (7-3, 2.64 ERA) is 5-1 with a 1.15 ERA (6 ER, 47 IP) in his last seven starts.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:15 with pregame coverage beginning at 3:45 on Arizona Sports 620.

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