PHOENIX -- Paul Goldschmidt continued to show signs of snapping out of a season-long slump with a two-run homer in the first inning Wednesday that helped give the D-backs a 3-0 lead in what would turn into a 7-4 loss to the Reds at Chase Field.
It was Goldschmidt's seventh homer of the year and his first at Chase Field.
"It was nice to get that one right there and get us on the board and take the lead," Goldschmidt said. "Just try to do that more often."
Since going 0-for-3 on May 22 to drop his average to .198, Goldschmidt has begun to string together good at-bats. After going 1-for-4 with a walk on Wednesday, Goldschmidt has hit .292 with two homers and five RBIs in 27 plate appearances since May 23.
"The pitch was down and in and I was just trying to hit it hard, and I was able to let it travel a little bit and hit it the other way," Goldschmidt said.
When Goldschmidt is going well, he hits balls hard the opposite way, and the homer off Sal Romano sailed out to right field at 102 mph, according to Statcast™.
"It's a great sign," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "Down that right-field line. Any time a hitter is staying on a ball and hit the ball the opposite way, it's very encouraging."