Tue Aug 26 09:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Reds Rally Late to Avoid Sweep, Gain Ground in Wild Card Race

**PHOENIX (AP) —** The Cincinnati Reds erupted for five runs in the eighth inning, powered by a three-run home run from Spencer Steer, to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1 on Sunday and avoid a series sweep. The win also brings Cincinnati within striking distance of a National League Wild Card spot.

Austin Hays collected three hits for the Reds, while Noelvi Marte had two hits and scored twice. Pitcher Brady Singer dominated on the mound, striking out nine Diamondbacks and allowing just one hit over six strong innings.

Arizona starter Zac Gallen also pitched well, striking out seven over six innings, but the Diamondbacks ultimately succumbed to the Reds’ late-inning surge. They managed only two hits on the day.

The decisive eighth inning began with a leadoff single by Marte off Arizona reliever Kyle Backhus. After Marte advanced on a flyout, Hays delivered a tie-breaking single off Juan Burgos. Gavin Lux followed with a single, setting the stage for Steer’s 397-foot blast to left field, his 16th home run of the season. TJ Friedl capped off the inning with a two-out RBI single, extending Cincinnati’s lead to 6-1.

Graham Ashcraft earned the win for the Reds, pitching a scoreless inning in relief.

Arizona’s lone run came in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Cincinnati tied the game in the sixth when Marte tripled and scored on a throwing error by Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo.

Steer’s homer provides momentum for the Reds heading into a crucial three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cincinnati has now won the series finale trailing 0-2 for the eighth time this season, remaining the only team in the majors yet to be swept.

The Reds (68-63) improved to 3-3 on their current nine-game road trip and now sit just 1 1/2 games behind the New York Mets for the third NL Wild Card spot.

**Looking Ahead:**

* **Reds:** RHP Hunter Greene (5-3, 2.63 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday night in Los Angeles against Dodgers RHP Emmet Sheehan (4-2, 4.17 ERA).
* **Diamondbacks:** LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-7, 5.40 ERA) will face Brewers RHP Brandon Woodruff (4-1, 2.47 ERA) on Monday night in Milwaukee.

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