Reds salvage series against Diamondbacks with 6-1 win on Sunday

Spencer Steer doubled and blasted a crucial 3-run homer on Sunday afternoon in the blistering heat of the Phoenix area to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a vital 6-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Steer’s offense backed yet another excellent start by righty Brady Singer, who entered play on Sunday having allowed just 6 ER in 29.0 IP across his previous 5 starts. Singer provided more of the same against the Snakes, limiting them to just a lone earned run – scored in the opening frame – while pitching around another 3-error game from his own defense.

Singer’s final line: 6.0 IP, H, ER, 3 BB, 9 K on 95 pitches.

The win moved the Reds back to 5 games over .500 at 68-63, precisely where they were when they began their current West Coast road trip. They’re 3-3 through their first two series of said trip – first having taken on the Los Angeles Angels before Arizona – and next up they face a Los Angeles Dodgers club whose bats woke up late in an 8-2 victory over their bitter rivals the San Diego Padres that left those two clubs tied atop the National League West at day’s end.

While Steer’s big blast was the signature swing of this victory, props are due to Austin Hays (3 for 5 with a ribbie and run scored) and Noelvi Marte (2 for 5 with a pair of runs scored and a triple that he turned into yet another Little League dinger). Meanwhile, Will Banfield made his big league debut with the start behind the plate, and he obviously was well on the same page with Singer while calling the game.

Monday will see Hunter Greene take the mound in Dodger Stadium against the Reds old NL West rivals, with Emmett Sheehan starting for the Dodgers from the other dugout. First pitch there is set for 10:10 PM ET, so get your evening coffee pots set and ready.

Tony Graphanino

WPA Chart and Box Score via FanGraphs