Arizona @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2018 ) Arizona 3, Cincinnati 6

The Arizona Diamondbacks have opened their nine-game road trip against a trio of last-place teams in disappointing fashion with back-to-back losses to the Cincinnati Reds. Arizona looks to avoid a sweep of their three-game series against the Reds on Sunday after allowing four runs in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 6-3 loss.

Matt Harvey tossed seven strong innings and Tucker Barnhart delivered a pinch-hit two-run double in the victory for the Reds, who improved to 49-50 under interim manager Jim Riggleman. Billy Hamilton added two hits and two stolen bases while Joey Votto was held out of the starting lineup for the second time in the last four games due to soreness in his right knee but delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth inning. David Peralta belted his career-high 20th home run for Arizona, which remained tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the National League West. A.J. Pollock added two hits and is 20-for-42 in his career at Great American Ball Park, while Eduardo Escobar homered for the first time since being acquired from Minnesota on July 27.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (12-6, 4.35 ERA) vs. Reds RH Luis Castillo (6-9, 4.91)

After struggling early in the season, Godley has settled in over the past few weeks with a 2.61 ERA over his past seven outings. The 28-year-old native of South Carolina allowed two runs while striking out seven over 7 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Philadelphia last Monday. Votto is 6-for-9 with a home run against Godley, who 3-1 with an 8.83 ERA in four career games (three starts) versus Cincinnati, including six strong innings on May 29.

Castillo turned in another encouraging outing last Sunday, giving up two runs over 5 1/3 innings against Washington. The 25-year-old has allowed three runs or fewer in six straight starts and owns a 4.00 ERA in his last 17 starts since the beginning of May. Castillo allowed five runs (four earned) over five frames in a 5-2 loss at Arizona on May 29 and is 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona leads the majors with 92 runs scored in the first inning.

2. Cincinnati RHP Jared Hughes has a 1.06 ERA in his last 36 appearances since May 4.

3. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt has reached base safely in 18 straight games, matching his longest stretch of the season.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Reds 4