Encarnacion-Strand lifts Reds over D-backs in resumed game, then cruise to nightcap win

CINCINNATI (KYMA, KECY) - Back from the injured list for the first time since mid-April, Christian Encarnacion-Strand wasted no time reminding everyone what the Reds were missing.

Encarnacion-Strand hit a game-tying home run in the sixth inning Friday night before storms suspended the game then sealed it Saturday with a walk-off double in the 10th, giving Cincinnati a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the resumption.

It marked the Reds' first walk-off of the year and their first extra-innings victory. Encarnacion-Strand finished with two hits, including the game-winner that drove in Jake Fraley from second base. Tony Santillan (1-1) tossed a scoreless top half of the 10th for the win.

Arizona had jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind a two-run homer from Ketel Marte his 12th of the season followed by a solo shot from Geraldo Perdomo. Cincinnati responded with a two-run shot from TJ Friedl before Encarnacion-Strand's clutch blast tied it.

The nightcap wasn't nearly as close.

In the second game of the de facto doubleheader, the Reds routed the D-backs 13-1 behind an eight-run fourth inning capped by a grand slam from Gavin Lux his first as a Red. Encarnacion-Strand homered again, this time in the first inning, as Cincinnati put up a five-spot early and never looked back.

Reds starter Nick Martinez gave up just one run in six innings, while Arizona's Ryne Nelson (2-2) was shelled for seven runs in three. Kendall Graveman gave up six more in a disastrous relief outing.

Encarnacion-Strand finished the day with four RBIs across both games. Arizona, meanwhile, has now dropped four of its last five and continues to struggle now sitting at 31-33 on the year.