Adam Duvall’s grand slam helps Reds avoid sweep to Diamondbacks.

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

The Reds’ outfield has not been performing up to expectations this season. Adam Duvall has been no exception, as he has been mired in a season-long slump. He took a step towards breaking out of that slump today, as he brought the Reds back from down 4-0 with a single swing of the bat. While he only went 1 for 5 on the day, hits like that are great for getting one’s self out of a slump. Have a trophy, Adam, and keep mashing those dingers.

Honorable mentions are due to: Eugenio Suarez, for going 2 for 3 with a walk, an RBI, and 2 runs scored; Joey Votto for going 3 for 5; Scott Schebler, for going 2 for 4 with a walk and the go-ahead 2-run homer; and the entire bullpen for shutting down the Diamondbacks with 4 shutout innings.

Key Plays

• As he has done all season, Sal Romano began the game having to work from behind. Jarrod Dyson led off the bottom of the first with a single to left. Paul Goldschmidt immediately made Romano pay as he smacked a 2-run dinger to right. The D’Backs weren’t done there. John Ryan Murphy lined a 1-out double to center and came around to score on a single by David Peralta. Arizona led, 3-0.
• The Diamondbacks added to their lead in the bottom of the third, as Murphy hit a solo home run to left to increase the lead to 4-0.
• The Reds finally answered in the top of the 4th in a big way. Tucker Barnhart and Joey Votto each hit singles to lead off the inning. After a walk by Eugenio Suarez loaded the bases, Adam Duvall came up and deeeestroyed a pitch over the left-center field wall to tie the game at 4-4.
• The Reds were able to take the lead in the top of the 6th. Eugenio Suarez led off with a single. After a strikeout by Adam Duvall, fellow struggling outfielder Scott Schebler smoked a ball to right for a 2-run dinger. Reds led, 6-4.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Sal Romano wasn’t particularly great today. He gutted out 5 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits while striking out 3. His first inning struggles also continued, as he gave up three in the first today. He has a first inning ERA of 9.75 in 2018.
• Reds’ manager Jim Riggleman announced today that he was moving away from the 4-man outfield and going with Scott Schebler, Adam Duvall, and Billy Hamilton for the time being. While Jesse Winker has been going through a slump (as have the rest of the outfield), we’re not exactly sure if that is the right decision.
• The Reds are off tomorrow before heading to San Diego to finish this road trip with a 3-game set against the Padres.
• Anthony DeSclafani will be making his last rehab start for Louisville tonight at 7:00 PM ET.
• Tunes.