Field Level Media
Apr 10, 2021
The Arizona Diamondbacks' five-run fifth inning, highlighted by a bases-clearing single by Stephen Vogt, proved to be the difference in their 8-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night in Phoenix.
Arizona leadoff hitter Tim Locastro batted 4-for-5 with two runs. Christian Walker went 2-for-4 with one run and an RBI, and Eduardo Escobar hit his third home run of the season. He finished 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs.
Riley Smith (1-0) won his first career start, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out two with one walk in six innings. Smith replaced Caleb Smith after he was moved from the rotation to the bullpen this week.
Cincinnati starter Jeff Hoffman (1-1) took the loss, allowing six hits with three runs in 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.
Arizona chased Hoffman in the fifth inning after Locastro led off with a single. With one out, Walker reached on an infield single, moving Locastro to second base, and Hoffman was relieved by Cionel Perez. David Peralta reached on a fielder's choice and Asdrubal Cabrera drew a bases-loaded walk to score Locastro. Escobar followed with an infield single to score Walker.
After a popout, Vogt hit a two-out single to center field that plated Cabrera and Peralta. Center fielder Nick Senzel misplayed the ball, allowing Escobar to score from first base to increase the lead to 6-2.
After an impressive 12-pitch first inning for Smith, he faltered in the second inning.
The right-hander walked Eugenio Suarez, followed by a double and two singles that gave the Reds the lead. Smith eventually got out of the inning totaling 21 pitches after facing two more batters. He settled down the next four innings to keep Cincinnati from threatening.
Senzel went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Suarez was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI for Cincinnati, which had its six-game winning streak snapped.
--Field Level Media