Diamondbacks grind out much-needed, gritty win over Reds

The Arizona Diamondbacks were in dire need of a win and perhaps a little bit of luck, both of which materialized in a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.

The D-backs plated three runs with two outs in the ninth inning at Great American Ballpark, the first on a sinking line drive from Geraldo Perdomo that kicked off the glove of Reds left fielder Blake Dunn.

Jordan Lawlar took advantage, as he plopped a two-run single into right field for a pair of insurance RBIs on an otherwise futile night for the Diamondbacks with runners in scoring position. Friday was Lawlar’s first game since April 2 due to a broken wrist.

Arizona won this game because of its bullpen and defense, which kept the game tight all night despite a short outing from starter Eduardo Rodriguez and more offensive shortcomings until the ninth.

The Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 35-34.

The Reds dropped to 32-36.

The Diamondbacks had to deal with adversity pretty quickly, as Rodriguez, the ace of the staff this season, failed to escape the third inning. He only allowed two runs (one earned), but with five walks and 85 pitches, the D-backs had to move to the bullpen. Rodriguez threw 40 pitches and walked three hitters in the first frame alone, although he somehow managed to keep the Reds off the board for the moment.

Rodriguez is now the only pitcher in franchise history to threw 85 pitches without getting through three innings, as he exited with 2.2 frames pitched.

But the bullpen picked him up.

Ryan Thompson, Jonathan Loaisiga, Taylor Clarke and Kevin Ginkel shut down the Reds through the eighth inning. Paul Sewald followed with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save. The bullpen ended with 6.1 innings, two hits and four walks.

The defense behind them was stellar, as Lawlar crashed into the wall for a highlight catch in center field and third baseman Nolan Arenado made a potential game-saving back-handed play and throw to end the eighth inning, stranding two runners. It looked like vintage Arenado, the 10-time Gold Glover who used to make those difficult throws from foul ground look routine.

NOLAN ARENADO IS INSANE!!! pic.twitter.com/1uijigalPl

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 13, 2026

The bullpen heroics and web gems made up for the fact that the offense continued to come up short in leverage moments with runners aboard.

The Diamondbacks failed to score with the bases loaded and one out in the third inning, and Ketel Marte struck out on three pitches with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth.

They entered the ninth inning 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position (RISP). They entered the game 9-for-their-last-93 with RISP.

The Diamondbacks worked five walks, were hit by three pitches and stole five bases. They did what they could to set up hitters to drive in runs but just could not get there outside an Arenado sacrifice fly in the third inning and a LuJames Groover RBI single in the sixth.

The Reds, meanwhile, were 0-for-7 with RISP, as this was a game of chicken. Who would break through with the one big hit first? Or, as it turns out, who would make the critical mistake?

How did Jordan Lawlar perform in his return?

The D-backs reinstated Lawlar from the 60-day injured list before the game, batting him seventh. He made a shaky throw in the third inning that bounced off Arenado and led to a run. The rest of his game was excellent.

Lawlar reached base three times with two singles and a hit-by-pitch to pair with his highlight catch. He also stole two bases, one of which led to a run on Groover’s knock up the middle against Reds starter Nick Lodolo.

Layin' down the Law 😳 pic.twitter.com/m71I3ulaaH

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 13, 2026

Saturday probables

The Diamondbacks will start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.28) on Saturday, while the Reds will go with right-hander Rhett Lowder (3-3, 5.01).

The game will start at 1:10 p.m. MST on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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