D-backs over .500 behind stellar Anderson
CINCINNATI -- Chase Anderson got the best of Raisel Iglesias in a pitchers' duel to lead the D-backs (62-61) to the four-game series sweep victory over the Reds, 4-0, at Great American Ball Park on Sunday. The win pushed the D-backs above .500 for the first time since April 22 when Arizona was 8-7, while the Reds (51-71) matched a season-high nine game losing streak.
Anderson threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up his second straight victory against the Reds. He surrendered only five hits and three walks, while striking out two. Anderson was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, but was recalled on Thursday after Jeremy Hellickson was placed on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
"I left a couple up in the first inning and gave up some hits, but just understanding that, make that adjustment right there and I got out of it so I'm thankful for that," Anderson said.
Iglesias was equally impressive on Sunday, striking out a career-high 13 batters over seven innings. He gave up only two runs -- one earned -- on three hits and three walks. His 13 strikeouts were the most by a Reds rookie since Gary Nolan had 15 on June 7, 1967 against San Francisco.
One of Iglesias' mistakes was on a home run by Welington Castillo in the fourth inning. David Peralta added a two-run home run in the eighth inning for the D-backs, who moved within five games of the NL West-leading Dodgers.
Video: ARI@CIN: Peralta belts two-run homer off Diaz in 8th
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
D-backs strike first: Castillo put the D-backs ahead, 1-0, in the fourth inning with a solo homer to left field. The home run came on a 92 mph fastball from Iglesias that traveled an estimated 385 feet, just barely clearing the right field wall. The play was originally called a double, but overturned after a brief crew-chief review. It was Castillo's 16th home run of the season and first since Aug. 10.
"Trying to throw a two-seamer comebacker away. He just left it up a little bit and I was able to hit it," Castillo said. "I knew that the ball was way over the [yellow] line, but whatever they decided to do it's not my decision, but I feel really good though."
Video: ARI@CIN: Castillo gets solo homer after review in 4th
Rookie Rocks: Iglesias was able to come up big when he was in trouble. Cincinnati's rookie right-hander fanned Peralta and Castillo to strand two baserunners in the first inning. In the sixth, with Paul Goldschmidt standing on second, he induced a ground out from Peralta and struck out Castillo.
"He did a terrific job and he spared us beating up our bullpen again," Reds manager Bryan Price said. More >
Inciarte adds insurance: Ender Inciarte cashed in on sloppy defense to push the D-backs lead to 2-0 in the sixth inning. Joey Votto was able to pull down a sharp grounder hit by Goldschmidt, but committed an error on the throw to Iglesias, who was trying to cover first base. Inciarte went home after he saw the ball hit the dirt at first base and easily scored as Iglesias threw it over catcher Brayan Pena's head. The play resulted in errors on both Votto and Iglesias, with Goldschmidt advancing to second base.
Video: ARI@CIN: Inciarte crosses home on Votto's error
Souvenir time: Reds rookie outfielder Ryan LaMarre recorded his first big league hit in the fifth inning when he lined an 0-2 pitch from Anderson to left field. The ball was retrieved for LaMarre, who had gone 0-for-5 in his Major League debut on Saturday.
"I just handed it to my dad and said, 'Whatever you do, don't lose it,'" LaMarre said.
Video: ARI@CIN: LaMarre singles to left for first career hit
QUOTABLE
"Yes, it does because all of these [media] guys around here won't let me forget about it, so I figured I'd get a beer shower or something out of this thing." -- Hale, when asked if it feels like it's been since April since his club was above .500. More >
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Votto walked in the sixth inning, his 100th walk of the season. Votto was also walked 100-plus times in 2013 (135) and 2011 (110).
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Arizona returns home to start a seven-game homestand with the Cardinals first up on Monday at 7:10 p.m. PT. Left-hander Robbie Ray (3-9, 3.38) will look to break out of a recent tough stretch in the four-game series opener. Ray is 0-5 with a 5.18 ERA in his past six starts, including four straight losses.
Reds: Cincinnati hosts Detroit in an Interleague makeup game Monday at 7:10 p.m. ET at Great American Ball Park. Keyvius Sampson (2-2, 4.43) will start for Cincinnati against Buck Farmer (0-2, 8.39). The Reds and Tigers were rained out on June 28.
Watch every out-of-market regular season game live on MLB.TV.