Diamondbacks swept by Reds as Zac Gallen slips late, offense goes quietly

The third home run Zac Gallen surrendered on Sunday was the difference in a 4-2 loss that saw the Cincinnati Reds complete the sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Gallen was steady for much of his outing (6.2 IP), as three walks and two solo home runs represented the only base traffic Cincinnati had through the first six innings.

The righty stayed on the mound after a 31-minute rain delay, and after two flyouts across seven pitches, the Reds dealt their biggest damage yet with a single and two-run homer.

Arizona’s offense struggled throughout the series and again on Sunday, with batters going down in order the final four innings. The Diamondbacks were outscored 21-6 over the series sweep.

Diamondbacks without an answer for Christian Encarnacion-Strand

One of the solo shots Gallen allowed came off the bat of former Yavapai College standout Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

He returned from the IL this series to homer in all three games after hitting just two home runs over the first 15 games of the season.

Encarnacion-Strand also knocked the walk-off single in Friday’s game that resumed Saturday. He was then 2-for-3, including the homer, with a walk on Sunday.

Kyle Backhus makes major league debut

After he was selected from Triple-A Reno before Sunday’s game, 6-foot-4 lefty Kyle Backhus made his major league debut in the eighth inning, where he sat down the top Reds in order.

Gavin Lux popped up on the first pitch he saw before Backhus struck out Elly De La Cruz with a slider. He then earned the only out of the day for Encarnacion-Strand, who grounded out on a 92 mph changeup.

Both lefty relievers went for Arizona on Sunday, including a six-pitch, one-out outing by Jalen Beeks to finish off Gallen’s seventh inning.

Diamondbacks’ next game

Arizona split its road trip, sweeping the Atlanta Braves before getting swept by the Reds.

The Diamondbacks (31-34) are back at home Monday to begin a series against the Seattle Mariners (32-31 entering Sunday’s game at Los Angeles Angels) at 6:40 p.m. MST.

Catch Diamondbacks-Mariners on 98.7, the Arizona Sports app or online.

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