Diamondbacks at Reds
The red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks clubbed their way to a win in the first game of the series with 12 hits before spinning a shutout one day later, and will try to finish off a road sweep of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon. The Diamondbacks have won five in a row and 11 of their last 12 contests to move within 1 1/2 games of the Chicago Cubs for the National League’s second wild card.
“Everybody’s just doing their part,” Arizona left-hander Alex Young told reporters after striking out 12 in eight scoreless innings of a 2-0 win Saturday. “Everything is just clicking right now.” Ketel Marte continued his hot hitting with a run-scoring single in the victory, improving to 12-for-20 with 12 RBIs in over his past five games, and the Diamondbacks will send veteran Mike Leake to the mound seeking his third straight win while the Reds counter with fellow right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. Cincinnati has lost eight of its last 11 games after falling 7-5 in Friday’s series opener and managing three hits Saturday - one from rookie Alex Blandino, who is 4-for-6 with four runs scored and three walks in his last three contests. Reds rookie phenom Aristides Aquino, who boasts 15 homers and 38 RBIs in 37 major league games, has cooled off of late by going 5-for-33 over his past nine outings.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Mike Leake (11-10, 4.71 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (9-8, 4.10)
Leake has earned victories in his last two starts, allowing six runs over 13 2/3 innings combined, after going winless in his first four outings (0-2) with Arizona. The 31-year-old Arizona State product owns a 6.43 ERA with the Diamondbacks after going 9-8 in 22 starts with a 4.27 ERA while in a Seattle uniform. Joey Votto is 9-for-23 with three doubles and three RBIs against Leake, who is 3-7 with a 5.80 ERA on the road versus 8-3 and 3.74 at home this year.
DeSclafani gave up four runs on three hits (two homers) against Philadelphia in a loss Monday after permitting two total runs in his previous three turns. The 29-year-old New Jersey native boasts 147 strikeouts over 142 2/3 innings, but has served up a career-most 27 homers in 27 starts this season. DeSclafani is 6-4 with a 3.71 ERA in 13 outings at Great American Ball Park in 2019 as opposed to 3-4 with a 4.48 mark in 14 starts on the road.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Reds claimed LHP Wandy Peralta on waivers from the San Francisco Giants and activated C Juan Graterol from the concussion list.
2. Arizona OF Tim Locastro stole his 20th base Saturday in his 20th major league attempt, tying Jackie Bradley Jr. for the fourth-most without being thrown out to open a career.
3. Diamondbacks 3B Eduardo Escobar had two hits Saturday to reach 800 in his career and needs two runs for 400.