IN A BARNBUNER, THE D-BACKS PREVAIL OVER THE BIG RED MACHINE AT DOMINICO FIELD
Diamondbacks closer Michael (12) extinguished the Reds comeback in the fourth inning by striking out the final two batters to seal the deal on a 14-9 victory at Dominico Field at Christie Pits.
Game Summary edited with file from Patrick Zeppieri
Beneath a layer of tranquil summer skies, the Diamondbacks defeated the Reds 14-9 in four innings of Bantam Division action this evening at Dominico Field at Christie Pits.
Here is a Diamondbacks account of the proceedings:
-
The Bantam Division showdown between the Diamondbacks and Reds was a high scoring game with great pitching performances.
-
In the top of the first inning, the D-backs were able to work the counts against the Reds to produce four walks. With some timely steals, the Diamondbacks staked themselves to a 4-0 lead.
-
Diamondbacks starter Kit (4) came in to pitch the bottom of the first and slammed the door on the Reds by striking out the side and keeping them off the scoring ledger.
-
The D-backs bats came to life in the top of the second with back to back singles from Jordan (2) and Thomas (9) to start things off. After newcomer Lia was able to deliver a sacrifice hit that moved the baserunners up to second and third, both Jordan and Thomas were in position to steal home on a pair of wild pitches by the Reds to widen the lead to 6-0.
-
Diamondbacks reliever Jordan, who’s still learning the intricacies of the pitching trade, eventually found the groove and struck out the side in the bottom of the second. But not before some great batting from the Reds batting order produced two runs to trim the deficit to four.
-
The third inning was all about the offense for both sides. Keeping his team leading on base percentage alive, Michael led off the top of the frame with his second walk of the game. This was followed by a single by the heavy hitting Daniel (3). Kit, who did it on the mound, now did the same with his bat as he stroked a 2 RBI double. Subsequently, this was followed by respective walks from duke and Jordan, who both came home to roost with some great baserunning to widen the lead to 10-2.
-
Not to be outdone, the pesky Reds were able to get to flame throwing Diamondbacks reliever Daniel for four runs in the bottom of the third to trim the margin to 10-6.
-
The final frame saw more of the same offensive fireworks. With Michael (12) leading off the top of the fourth with his third walk of the game, followed by a double from Daniel. Then newcomer Isamu (11) came to the plate and spanked his first double of the season down the first baseline. After walks to Lia and Hayden, the D-backs were able to score four more insurance runs to extend their lead to 14-6.
-
However, the Big Red Machine refused to surrender in the bottom of the fourth as they scored three to slice the shortfall to five.
-
Nevertheless, Diamondbacks closer Michael was able to take control of the inning by striking out the final two Reds batters to seal the deal.