CINCINNATI — Zac Gallen pitched six shutout innings in his first start in 11 days and Corbin Carroll hit a three-run homer and five RBIs as the Arizona Diamondbacks handed the Cincinnati Reds a sixth straight loss, 6-2, Tuesday evening.
Gallen (4-2) made his first start since April 26, when he left the game early with a hamstring cramp. The right-hander allowed the Reds just one hit in six innings, struck out six and walked three without allowing a runner past second base.
“He got very sharp and very stubborn late,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “But with 79 pitches with six up-downs, it was time to turn the task over to the bullpen. He was great for us. »
The woes continued for the Reds, who scored just two runs in a three-game sweep of the Orioles at Great American Ball Park. With Tuesday’s loss, Cincinnati fell three games under .500 for the first time this season.
Frankie Montas (2-3), making his first start since being hit in the arm with a line drive April 21, allowed one earned run and four hits in six innings while striking out seven. taken.
Carroll, who had just seven RBIs all season, scored runs in the third and fifth innings, then, with two runs in the seventh, hit a Justin Wilson fastball over the center field wall for his second circuit of the season. Ketel Marte followed with another homer, only the second time this season that Arizona had back-to-back runs.
Lovullo has seen Carroll work and improve this season, but didn’t expect a five-RBI outburst from his leader, who hit .203.
“I probably thought something spectacular was about to happen, but five RBIs didn’t show up on my bingo card,” Lovullo said. “But I know he was the right person in the right place.” A lot of little things went well, but the home run was a really impressive swing. »
Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson hit solo homers, accounting for two of the Reds’ three hits.
“(Hitters) are trying to do what they need to do to get out of the slump. Everyone here has the right mentality,” Montas said. “They know it’s a long season. We only played around 30 matches. We still have 120 left to play. The way they’re approaching it right now, they’re not hanging their heads and feeling defeated or (worrying) about the severity of our defeat.
TRAINERS ROOM
Diamondbacks: Closer Paul Sewald (oblique strain) was reinstated from the injured list and resumed his role. He has been absent all season. He allowed the homer with one out of Stephenson in the ninth but retired the next two batters.
Reds: TJ Friedl (fractured wrist) was removed from the injured list and started in center field. He was injured while diving during spring training. He was 0 of 4.
FOLLOWING
Diamondbacks left-hander Jordan Montgomery (1-2, 5.63 ERA) will face Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (3-1, 3.63, 30K) as the series continues Wednesday night.
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