The Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds found themselves locked in a 3-3 stalemate after six innings on a rain-soaked Friday night at Great American Ball Park, leading to a suspension of the game that will resume Saturday afternoon. The weather had the final say, with heavy rain and lightning forcing an extended delay and an eventual suspension of play after a 44-minute rain delay. Fans will see the game pick up right where it left off at 2:10 p.m. ET on June 7, with the regularly scheduled second game to follow approximately 40 minutes later, but not before 4:10 p.m. ET.
Friday's contest was a rollercoaster of momentum swings and notable performances. Arizona jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning thanks to back-to-back home runs off Reds starter Nick Lodolo. Ketel Marte launched a two-run homer, marking his 12th since returning from the injured list on May 2, and Geraldo Perdomo followed immediately with his seventh homer of the season, setting a new career high. The back-to-back blasts were the Diamondbacks' third such occurrence this season, the first since May 9 against the Dodgers.
The Reds responded in kind later in the third inning. TJ Friedl crushed a two-run homer to right field, his fifth of the season, trimming the deficit to 3-2 and injecting life into the home crowd. The game remained tight as Eduardo Rodriguez, making his first start in nearly a month after being activated from the 15-day injured list, held the Reds to two earned runs on six hits over five solid innings. Rodriguez struck out three and impressively did not issue a walk, throwing 72 pitches while managing a pitch count limit due to his recent shoulder inflammation.
As the game progressed into the sixth inning, the intensity of the rain increased, and the field began to show signs of the deluge with puddles forming along the infield. It was in this frame that Cincinnati’s Christian Encarnacion-Strand, recently reinstated from the injured list, tied the game with a solo homer off Diamondbacks reliever Cristian Mena. This was Encarnacion-Strand’s third home run of the season and his first since April 5, a timely blast that energized the Reds.
However, the rain was not just an obstacle for the players but also a factor in the game’s pitching dynamics. Manager Torey Lovullo noted that Mena struggled with his grip on the ball due to the wet conditions, which led to a wild pitch that struck Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno on his bare right hand. Moreno exited the game immediately and was replaced by Jose Herrera. Fortunately, X-rays came back negative, though some swelling was visible, raising concerns about Moreno’s availability moving forward. Lovullo mentioned that the team might add an extra pitcher or even a catcher from Triple-A Reno to the active roster for the second game on Saturday, with Eugenio Suarez serving as the emergency catcher for the suspended game.
Despite the weather, the Reds kept the fans entertained during the delay with a fireworks show, a rare sight amid the storm. The event, dubbed Friday Night Fireworks, went on even as the rain poured down, providing a unique experience for those braving the elements.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks and Reds will resume the suspended game with former Reds fan favorite Eugenio Suarez leading off the seventh inning for Arizona. Suarez, who played for Cincinnati from 2015 to 2021, expressed heartfelt emotions about returning to the city. "It's something very special. Cincinnati is always in my heart," Suarez said. He also noted that the ballpark is hitter-friendly, where "the ball flies out of the park no matter where it is hit." Suarez’s "Good Vibes Only" mentality, he said, was born here, and the city helped shape him into not just a better player but a better person.
Meanwhile, the Reds will have right-hander Nick Martinez (0-2, 6.06 ERA) start the regularly scheduled game, while the Diamondbacks will counter with right-hander Bryce Miller (0-2, 4.50 ERA). Saturday's schedule is packed, with the suspended game resuming at 2:10 p.m. ET, followed by the regularly scheduled game about 40 minutes later, but not before 4:10 p.m. ET. Fans holding tickets for Friday’s game may receive discounts for Saturday's games by presenting their tickets at the ballpark.
The Diamondbacks also gave Corbin Carroll and Josh Naylor the night off, with Randal Grichuk starting in right field and Tim Tawa at first base. Ketel Marte shifted to designated hitter, and Ildemaro Vargas took over at second base. The team optioned left-handed pitcher Tommy Henry to Triple-A Reno to make room for Eduardo Rodriguez’s return.
Looking beyond Saturday, the Diamondbacks are set to face the Reds again on Sunday morning at 10:40 a.m. ET, with Zac Gallen (4-7, 5.13 ERA) pitching against Brady Singer (6-4, 4.66 ERA). On Monday, June 9, the Diamondbacks will return home to Chase Field to take on the Seattle Mariners, with Merrill Kelly (6-2, 3.43 ERA) starting against Emerson Hancock (2-2, 5.19 ERA).
Friday's rain-shortened game was a vivid reminder of baseball’s unpredictability, where weather, injuries, and clutch performances intertwine. The suspended contest promises to deliver an exciting finish when the teams return to the diamond Saturday afternoon, with both clubs eager to seize momentum in this tightly contested series.
