CINCINNATI -- Big power for crooked numbers has not been a trademark of the Reds' offense to this point in 2025. Perhaps Christian Encarnacion-Strand's return to their lineup could finally unleash the offensive kraken?
A five-run first inning and eight-run fourth inning both featured batting around for the Reds on Saturday. Encarnacion-Strand's three-run home run and Gavin Lux's grand slam supplied the crooked numbers as they cruised to a 13-1 victory over the Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park.
“We know we can’t live and die with that. But when we have it, it’s nice," manager Terry Francona said. "CES shows up and squares up a few. I’m not even sure he got all of that but he’s so strong, it’s given us some punch, which has really, really been helpful.”
It was the fifth time this season that Cincinnati produced double-digit run totals for a win.
“I thought all around, there were really good at-bats today. Even in our first game, it was only three innings but there were some good at-bats up and down," Lux said.
With plenty of cushion to work with, Reds starter Nick Martinez pitched six innings and allowed one earned run -- on Eugenio Suárez's leadoff homer in the second inning -- with six hits, one walk and six strikeouts.
"I love when the boys are swinging that way. They just kept going, kept pounding it and it’s a lot more fun pitching with a lead like that," Martinez said. “Everyone in that clubhouse knows what our offense is capable of and we definitely showcased that today.”
Encarnacion-Strand was activated after missing 45 games on the injured list with lower back inflammation. With a game-tying home run and a walk-off RBI double in the 10th inning, he was the hero of a walk-off 4-3 win earlier in the day.
In the bottom of the first inning in the nightcap, Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson walked two of his first three batters. That set up Encarnacion-Strand to slug his fourth homer of the season -- and second in two games -- to make it 3-0.
"When you have that kind of power, it can change a game fast," Lux said of Encarnacion-Strand. "We’ve kind of lacked slugging a little bit, it feels like. To have him lock in like that his first couple of games back is great for him and for us.”
Two batters later, Tyler Stephenson just missed a two-run homer with a double off the left field wall. Spencer Steer's RBI single to left field and Stephenson scoring on a Jake Fraley fielder's choice gave Cincinnati a five-run lead.
It was a 5-1 game in the fourth inning with two on and no outs when Matt McLain's push bunt to the right side against reliever Kendall Graveman resulted in a single that loaded the bases.
“I hope that never gets lost in all the good that happened today because that to me was the play of the game," Francona noted about McLain.
TJ Friedl was hit by a pitch to force in a run before Graveman's next pitch was launched to right field by Lux for his second homer of the season and third grand slam of his career and a 10-1 lead.
The 32-33 Reds have taken the first two games of the three-game series from Arizona with a chance to sweep on Sunday.
With 68 homers, the Reds are tied for 12th in MLB this season. They've produced 117 runs from those homers, which is 10th most.
This is a club that was shut out in three-straight games and 35 consecutive innings in April and has missed multiple players due to injury. Although Encarnacion-Strand has returned, Austin Hays and Noelvi Marte are key contributors still on the IL. Hays is eligible to be activated as soon as Sunday.
As National League Central rivals ahead of them -- the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers -- continue to play well, it's paramount to catch up. First-place Chicago is 8 1/2 games ahead of the fourth-place Reds.
“I don’t think it’s any secret, it kind of feels like -- early on especially -- we just weren’t scoring runs consistently," Lux said. "We were kind of just missing that big hit in a lot of games. I think the last couple of weeks, it’s been really good. Even the games we haven’t won, we’ve had really good team at-bats and guys hitting the ball hard and making some impact. We’ve been talking about it that we’re about to get hot here soon. Hopefully this series is the start of that.”
Senior Reporter Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from 2001-05.