Phoenix, AZ—-In a fierce showdown at Phoenix, Kevin Newman delivered the decisive blow for the Arizona Diamondbacks with a clutch two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing a hard-fought 6-5 triumph over the struggling Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
Newman, enjoying a stellar performance with four hits including a pair of doubles, stepped up to the plate in a tense ninth inning situation. Facing Alexis Diaz with the bases loaded, Newman expertly placed a line drive into shallow right field, driving in Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno to seal the victory.
Reflecting on his pivotal hit, Newman modestly attributed it to luck, emphasizing his focus on placing the ball strategically to drive in the runs. His contributions have been particularly significant this season, filling in admirably for injured regulars Geraldo Perdomo and Jordan Lawlar.
Newman emphasized his batting approach, emphasizing the importance of staying centered and adjusting to off-speed pitches, a strategy that paid dividends in his standout performance.
Justin Martinez, who took the mound as the fifth Arizona pitcher of the night, earned his maiden major league win by delivering a scoreless ninth inning.
Despite putting up a valiant effort, the Reds suffered their eleventh loss in twelve games, extending their recent struggles. Reds manager David Bell remained positive, acknowledging Diaz’s overall strong performance despite the challenging outcome.
The Reds briefly took the lead with two runs in the eighth inning, courtesy of a controversial play involving Jeimer Candelario and Mike Ford. However, the Diamondbacks responded resiliently, propelled by key hits from Eugenio Suárez and timely contributions from Moreno and Joc Pederson.
Tempers flared in the eighth inning as Pederson and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo were ejected following a disputed call by plate umpire Mark Carlson. Pederson expressed his frustration over the decision, while Lovullo defended his player, resulting in his first ejection of the season.
Ketel Marte extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a first-inning single, showcasing his consistent offensive prowess for the Diamondbacks.
Jordan Montgomery went into the sixth for the Diamondbacks. He gave up six hits, walked three, and fanned seven.
Injury updates revealed Reds outfielder TJ Friedl’s placement on the injured list due to a fractured left thumb, with Jacob Hurtubise making his major league debut as his replacement. Meanwhile, Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas received medical treatment for a left hamstring issue, adding to the team’s injury concerns.
Looking ahead, the Cincinnati Reds will send RHP Hunter Greene to the hill to face off against Arizona’s Slade Cecconi in the upcoming matchup on Tuesday.
