D-backs' bats go silent after first inning in loss to Reds
CINCINNATI -- Archie Bradley has been good at pitching out of threats lately. With two runners aboard, he couldn't keep one away from Joey Votto, and it cost him a game.
Votto extended his post-All Star break surge with a three-run homer off Bradley, and Dan Straily pitched six innings on Friday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-2 victory over the slumping Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Reds got the better in a matchup of last-place clubs. The Diamondbacks began the day with second-year manager Chip Hale hearing reports that the team had considered changing managers. Arizona has dropped 16 of 20.
Hale's only comment: "I would just say you're never surprised in this game about anything."
Votto connected in the first inning off Bradley (3-6), who had a rough time on a hot, humid night. He lasted five innings, walked five and threw only 59 strikes out of 105 pitches.
"I think there's only one inning out of my last three starts where I went the whole inning out of the windup," Bradley said. "That's a lot of stress, a lot of high-pressure situations.
"It's the walks. They say if you're going to play with fire, you're eventually going to get burned. Tonight I did. Time after time, I keep putting myself in bad situations."
Votto has hit safely in all seven games since the All-Star break, going 12 for 23 with a double, three homers, eight RBIs and seven walks.
Tucker Barnhart added a solo homer in the sixth off Randall Delgado. Brandon Phillips later singled home a run, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. Zack Cozart had an RBI double in the eighth as the Reds got four walks, a single, a double and a homer off Arizona's young relievers in three innings.
"There are places where guys without a great amount of experience are getting some experience," Hale said.
Straily (5-6) made his fourth straight quality start, settling down after a rough first inning. Jean Segura opened the game with a homer, and Michael Bourn doubled and scored on Welington Castillo's sacrifice fly. Straily gave up five hits in six innings.
Bradley gave the lead right back with an even worse opening inning. Billy Hamilton singled, Cozart walked, and Votto followed with his 17th homer before the Reds made an out. Cincinnati had three hits, two walks and a hit batter during the inning.
Hamilton singled twice and stole three bases off Bradley in the first two innings.
The game got heated in the third inning. In his next at-bat following his homer, Segura was plunked in the lower back by Straily's first pitch. Segura motioned toward the mound with his left hand and said something to the pitcher. Plate umpire Carlos Torres got between Segura and catcher Barnhart and restored calm.
Hamilton opened the Reds' first with a single and was called out at second base on a steal attempt. A video review showed he got his hand on the base before Segura's tag, and the call was overturned. Hamilton scored on Votto's homer.
The Diamondbacks have won eight of their last 11 against the Reds. They had won five straight at Great American Ball Park before the loss on Friday. ... Bradley had a 1.57 ERA in his four previous road starts. ... It was Segura's fourth career leadoff homer, his third this season. ... Hamilton is 9 for 22 during a five-game hitting streak. His three steals gave him 30 for the season. His career high is 57 last season.
Diamondbacks: RHP Zach Greinke will have a full bullpen session on Saturday and the Diamondbacks will decide whether he's ready to pitch in a simulated game. Greinke has been on the DL since July 3 with a strained left oblique.
Reds: RHP Homer Bailey will make another minor league rehab start on Monday and the club will decide if he's ready to be activated. Bailey had Tommy John surgery a year ago.
Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray (5-8) pitched seven shutout innings in a win over the Dodgers in his last game. He's faced the Reds one other time, taking the loss last year while giving up three runs in six innings.
Reds: RHP Keyvius Sampson (0-1) makes his first start of the season after seven relief appearances. He's 2-6 career as a starter with a 6.66 ERA.
