Lorenzen’s walk-off hit wins it for Reds

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 08: Michael Lorenzen #21 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates hitting the game winning double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park on September 08, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 08: Michael Lorenzen #21 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates hitting the game winning double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park on September 08, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)

Relief pitcher Michael Lorenzen lined a game-ending, pinch-hit double in the ninth inning to help the Cincinnati Reds snap the Arizona Diamondbacks’ five-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory Sunday.

Lorenzen is the first Cincinnati pitcher with a walk-off hit since Randy Keisler in the 14th inning against Washington on May 24, 2005. It was Lorenzen’s fifth career pinch hit and happened four days after the reliever became the first player since Babe Ruth in 1921 to homer, play the outfield and earn a victory on the mound in the same game.

»RELATED: Sunday’s boxscore

Pinch-hitter José Peraza and Phillip Ervin greeted reliever Yoan López (2-6) with one-out singles. Lorenzen delivered against left-hander T.J. McFarland, capping a nine-pitch at-bat with his RBI double before getting mobbed at second base.

The Diamondbacks lost for the second time in the 13 games and remained 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs for the second NL wild card.

Eugenio Suarez homered twice and has 44 this season for Cincinnati, one behind Mike Trout and Pete Alonso for the major league lead. Ketel Marte extended his hitting streak to seven games with a two-run homer, his 32nd of the season.

Raisel Iglesias (3-11) pitched the ninth to get the win.

Mike Leake allowed seven hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings, but he remained 0-5 in nine career starts against his former team. Leake, Cincinnati’s top choice and the eighth overall pick in the 2009 draft, struck out three, hit one batter and didn’t walk anybody.

»ASK HAL: Time to look for new closer?

Anthony DeSclafani allowed three hits and three runs — two earned — with three walks and three strikeout in six innings for Cincinnati.

The Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead in the second after Eduardo Escobar was originally ruled to have been forced out at second base on Jake Lamb’s grounder. A video review overturned the call, and Nick Ahmed made the reversal pay off with an RBI single.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: Arizona reinstated RHP Yoshihisa Hirano from the 10-day injured list (right elbow inflammation).

Reds: OF Brian O’Grady was hit on the left foot by Leake with one out in the seventh inning. O’Grady walked off the pain as the Diamondbacks made a pitching change and stayed in the game.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: RHP Merrill Kelly (10-13) pitches against Mets RHP Jacob deGrom (8-8, 2.76) in New York on Monday night. Kelly allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings of a 7-1 win over the Mets on June 2 in Arizona.

Reds: After getting Monday off, Cincinnati opens a series in Seattle on Tuesday night. RHP Trevor Bauer (10-12) is 1-4 with an 8.23 ERA in seven starts for the Reds since being acquired from Cleveland on July 31. He’ll face Mariners rookie LHP Justus Sheffield (0-1, 5.51).

About the Author