What is the story about?
Game Summary
Full recap will post shortly after I watch the end of the USA World Cup Match. Feel free to rejoice at the win in the comments!
Win Probability and Box Score
Outside the Box Score
- E-Rod was off to a wobbly start, walking the first 2 batters he faced. The first pitch to the third hitter was ruled a ball but E-Rod challenged the pitch in a rare pitcher challenge and got a called strike. Unfortunately, that didn’t really speed up the at bat as Sal Stewart ended up battling for a 10-pitch AB and really boosted E-Rod’s pitch count. All told, E-Rod walked the bases the loaded and had a full count on the first 4 batters he faced, but didn’t allow any runs by inducing 3 pop-ups. It took 40 pitches for him to get out of the first inning.
- Ketel Marte led off the third inning with a double off the wall in left field that I thought for sure was going to just be a little drink single just over the third baseman. Ketel really dug out a low pitch with a flick of his wrists and blasted it over the left fielder. Impressive how strong Ketel is.
- Gabi Moreno came up with runners at first and second and bounced to second base and the Reds infielder made a poor decision trying to get Corbin out at second. Corbin was ruled out initially but the D-backs challenged and got the call overturned thanks to Corbin’s speed and hustle.
- Man, a lot happening in this third inning! Arenado hit a sac fly with the bases loaded and no outs. The relay from the outfielder hit the cutoff man who pivoted and threw to second base where Gabi was trying to advance to and he looked to be dead to rights, but Gabi made an incredible swim move to avoid the tag!
- Jordan Lawlar made an oopsie in his return to the field tonight when he fielded a single in shallow center and tried to get the runner going to third. The runner would’ve been safe easily anyway, but the throw hopped short of Arenado and ended up bouncing off his glove and into the dugout which resulted in a free run for Cincy.
- Jordan Lawlar made a fantastic grab in the fourth inning to turn a double into an out. He ran full tilt to the warning track and reached up above his head to make the catch just before he faceplanted into the wall with his arms still above his head. The collision knocked his cap off and forced him to the ground, but he got up with a smile on his face and the ball still in his glove. Great play.
- Jordan Lawlar reached base on a HBP in the 6th, then stole 2nd easily (no small feat on a fastball right down the middle) and scored the tying run at the time on a Groover single up the middle. Finally, some speed and youth making an impact.
- Nolan Arenado snared a hot shot short hop with the go ahead run at second in the 7th inning, making a nice play to retire the side. Arenado’s bat has been up-and-down, but his glove has been wonderful all year long.
- The Rattle did its job in the top of the 8th. With 2 outs, Lawlar singled and Groover and Waldy walked to load the bases for Ketel and he went down looking on 3 pitches, with the last pitch being a called ball overturned to a strike upon Challenge.
- Geraldo Perdomo made a very smart play in the bottom of the 8th when he got a chopper deep in the hole between 2nd and 3rd. With a speedy runner on first and another hustling out the batter’s box, Domo didn’t even think about trying to get the lead runner and went straight to first to barely get the 2nd out of the inning. That play set up an intentional walk before Ginkel could go after the right-handed hitting McLain. Ginkel got McLain to hit a grounder but it was well-placed right down the third base line. Unfortunately for him, Nolan Arenado mans the hot corner for us and he made a vintage Arenado play, reaching a ball on the foul side of third base and throwing back across his body where Ildermaro made an equally impressive stretch to keep the game tied.
- Apple TV broadcast had a good note late in the broadcast: 4 stolen bases tonight by the Diamondbacks is a season high. Then, on cue, Gabi Moreno got our 5th steal of the night.
- Terry Francona made an odd managerial decision in the 9th inning. With 2 outs and a base open to walk Ildemaro Vargas and face Geraldo Perdomo. Domo worked a long AB, but it nearly worked out for Francona and the Reds when Gerry lifted a ball into medium depth left field. Fortunately the left fielder made a bad read and ended up clanking the ball off his glove to allow the go-ahead run to score. Then Jordan Lawlar broke the game open with a 2-run single right behind that.
Comment of the Game
The GameDay Thread was definitely light early on tonight, but with the early start, Apple TV broadcast, and US World Cup match going on, I understand completely. As the game stayed close late, the comment count kept growing and finished with a final tally of 296 comments at time of publishing. COTG tonight goes to Sigborg for his highly rec’d comment about recs.
Coming Up
The Diamondbacks
face the Reds for the second game of this 3-game set tomorrow afternoon with a 1:10pm first pitch Arizona time. Righthander Rhett Lowder (3-3, 5.01 ERA) will take the mound for Cincinnati and Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.28 ERA) takes the ball for the good guys.
