Tommy Henry struggles in series opener vs. Reds

The Diamondbacks pitching struggled, resulting in a 9-6 loss to the up-and-coming Cincinnati Reds.

After a solo home run from Ketel Marte in the first inning, the Reds began to take over offensively as finding the strike zone was proved to be quite the challenge for Tommy Henry.

Henry was skating on thin ice throughout his four innings of work. While he only allowed three earned runs, it could have been much worse.

The Reds stranded two runners on base in each of the first three innings. In total, Tommy Henry walked four batters and allowed four hits.

But, as the Reds consistently put pressure on the basepaths, it seemed as if it was only a matter of time before they broke through with a big inning.

And that they did.

Since Henry was already nearing the 90-pitch mark, the Diamondbacks were forced to go to the bullpen early on in the 4th inning.

In relief, it was Justin Martinez who made his fourth appearance of the season, and it is likely one that he would like to have back.

Once the Reds loaded the bases, former Diamondbacks’ first-round pick Matt McClain blew the game wide open with a grand slam. The dagger hit into the right field bleachers handed the Reds a 9-3 lead.

While the D-backs did cut the deficit in half with a three-run seventh inning powered by two home runs, this would be the last of their offense on the night.

Besides Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte at the top of the order, the Diamondbacks went 2-25 at the plate. Ketel Marte drove in four of Arizona’s five runs.

Game two of this series against the Reds is scheduled for 1:10 PM tomorrow. Brandon Pfaadt will most likely get the start, and if so, it will be the rookie’s first appearance since June 29th.