Zac Gallen had a turbulent start to the game, but settled down as the Diamondbacks topped the Reds 7-4.
Gallen hit four of the first eight batters he faced. Gallen hit Drury with a changeup, Votto with a cutter, Senzel with a 4-seamer, and Friedl with a cutter. Gallen then tightened things up and returned to his usual ace self. Gallen threw 7 innings of 2 run baseball. He allowed only 2 hits while collecting 5 strikeouts and 10 swings and misses. Gallen’s mix of 4-seamers, knuckle curves, and changeups helped him do so. Gallen’s knuckle curve has been an outstanding weapon for him all season. His knuckle curve has a -2.4 RV/100, .155 BAA, and a .194 xwOBA. It also has 5% more drop than the average curveball, and only has a launch angle of 2 degrees. Gallen has solidified himself as an ace. Noe Ramirez allowed a homer in his inning of work, and Mark Melancon pitched an inning giving up 2 hits and an earned run.
The Diamondbacks offense did just enough once they got Luis Castillo out of the game. The Dbacks put together a four run 8th inning that lifted them over the Reds. It started with a David Peralta single that scored Josh Rojas, Ketel Marte scored on a fielder’s choice, then David Peralta scored off of a Geraldo Perdomo single, and Pavin Smith scored off of a balk. Geraldo Perdomo finished the game 2/4 with a homer and 3 RBI’s.
Luis Castillo was neck and neck with Gallen throughout their outings. Castillo threw 110 pitches across 7 innings. He allowed 4 hits, 2 walks, and 3 earned runs. He did strikeout 6 and had 11 swings and misses. His 4-seamer had a whiff percentage of 45, he also collected whiffs on his changeup and slider. Castillo’s velocity was up, he maxed out at 99.8 mph. He also averaged 98 mph on his 4-seamer, and 98.6 mph on his sinker this outing. The Reds were in the game until Castillo was out of it. Art Warren relieved Castillo, Warren only got one out while giving up three hits and four earned runs. Warren’s ERA is up to 7.66. Reiver Sanmartin was able to finish the inning that was supposed to be Warren’s. Sanmartin only gave up one hit while collecting two outs. His season ERA is still 12.74.
Brandon Drury and Jonathan India were the only two Reds with extra base hits. India doubled in the 2nd inning, which scored TJ Friedl. Drury hit a solo homer in the 8th inning which at the time tied the game at 3.