D-backs explode for 6-run 10th inning to complete series sweep over Reds

The Arizona Diamondbacks came out on top 14-11 in 10 innings over the Reds at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon.

After a back-and-forth affair, the D-backs exploded for six runs in the top of the 10th to bring Arizona (9-10) to only one game under .500.

The victory also marked the first series sweep for the Diamondbacks this season.

“Any win is a good win,” manager Torey Lovullo said via Zoom postgame. “I don’t think it was the way we drew it up from a pitching standpoint, but I felt like our guys did enough to execute and win a ballgame. This is a very unpredictable ballpark, the ball seemed to be flying out of here and (the Reds) just seemed to take advantage of some mistakes.

“We had scored our own set of runs. We had built a really good cushion in that 10th inning and it was just a really solid offensive day for us.”

In the top of the 10th, leadoff hitter Josh Rojas got things started with an RBI single that scored Asdrubal Cabrera to give the D-backs a 9-8 lead.

Sent it right back where it came from! pic.twitter.com/uPfdEFkV2J

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BallySportSAZ) April 22, 2021

With the bases loaded, David Peralta would clear the bases with a three-RBI triple to score Arizona’s fourth run of the inning.

Peralta finished the day with seven RBIs after going 5-for-6 at the plate — only a double shy of the cycle — and scoring two runs.

“To have a day like that is a big victory for me,” Peralta said via Zoom postgame.

“I’ve been putting in a lot of hard work at the plate trying to be better and today was the day. I’m just going to keep doing it, keep working consistently on that and that was a great sweep for us.”

UPDATE: THE BASES ARE NO LONGER JUICED@Dbacks | #RattleOn pic.twitter.com/GruYo0HaJl

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BallySportSAZ) April 22, 2021

“What can you say about David’s day?” Lovullo added.

“He led the way for us. … He was in the middle of everything. He was squaring up the baseball and was the right guy in the right spot and we count on him to do that. He enjoys being in the middle of all that traffic.”

Carson Kelly would follow that up with a two-run homer to give the D-backs a six-run lead heading into the bottom half of the 10th.

CARSONNNNNNNNNNN!!! pic.twitter.com/pzrsitdwQW

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BallySportSAZ) April 22, 2021

Despite giving up three runs, Stefan Crichton and Alex Young would combine to get the final three outs and secure the 14-11 victory.

“It was guys making plays defensively. … Just quality plays when those type of plays were needed to be made and I’m really happy with what we did,” Lovullo said.

“We won three baseball games here in Cincinnati in a tough environment. We won three baseball games in probably 40 hours. I’m really proud of these guys. Onward to Atlanta.”

EXTRA BASES

Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener allowed four runs on five hits — 3 HRs — to go along with one walk and seven strikeouts over 5.1 innings of work (89 pitches, 61 strikes).

Crichton left the game in the 10th after getting hit in the throwing hand on a come-backer. Lovullo said he didn’t have an update postgame but the manager did note that he made the decision to take the pitcher out.

UP NEXT

The Diamondbacks travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves in the first game of a three-game set on Friday, with a pitching matchup of Luke Weaver vs. Huascar Ynoa.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:20 p.m. Arizona time. Catch all the action on ESPN 620 AM.

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