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Diamondbacks 3 Reds 2
Brandon Williamson tossed six shutout innings, but his offense abandoned him and the Reds bullpen broke down as the Diamondbacks took Game 1 of a crucial four game showdown 3-2 Thursday night in Phoenix.
Trailing 1-0 in the 8th the Reds appeared poised to record their 41 comeback win of the season. Nick Senzel, recalled earlier in the day, hit a pinch-hit game tying solo homer and Tyler Stephenson's RBI single gave them a 2-1 lead.
But Arizona OF Corbin Carroll jacked a two run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning off Alex Young to put the Diamondback ahead for good. The homer snapped a 27 game homerless streak by the NL Rookie of the Year candidate.
Nada: The Reds managed just three hits while striking out 16 times on the night. Noelvi Marte's 3rd inning double was their only hit through the first seven innings vs AZ SP Merrill Kelly. Kelly allowed 1 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 12 K before exiting with cramping in his hamstring. The Reds starting lineup of batters 1 through 5 in the order were a combined 0 for 16 with 7 K.
Bullpen: 2 IN, 3 R. Buck Farmer and Alex Young, the least used relievers from Wednesday's doubleheader, each allowed runs. Farmer allowed the game's first run in the 7th, before Young walked the leadoff batter in the 8th and surrendered the Carroll two-run shot.
Final chance: Trailing 3-2 in the 9th, Spencer Steer walked with one out as the potential tying run. But Senzel flew out and CES struck out to end the game.
Williamson: 6 IN, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 98 pitches.
Nice game, rook: Marte blistered a double at 111.8 mph off the bat, the second hardest hit by by a Red this season (Elly 1st). He walked and stole a base. He made a nice play on a grounder/throw home to nab a runner.
Thin margins: It was the Reds 52nd one-run game (27-25) in 129 games played.
Heated: Arizona has won five straight and 10 of 12.
NL Central
Brewers --
Cubs 3
Reds 4
Wild Card
Phillies +2.5
Cubs +0.5
Diamondbacks --
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Giants -0.5
Reds -0.5
Marlins -2