The Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday jumped to an early four-run lead, but nearly blew it in the ninth inning before beating the Cincinnati Reds 10-8.
The most impressive highlight of a wild night was a child stealing the ball from an outfielder trying to steal a home run.
Tommy Pham lost a home run when a boy snatched the ball from Cincinnati left fielder Spencer Steer’s glove, but the Diamondbacks did enough offensive damage before that.
Photo: AP
“Once I saw what happened, I had the same reaction every fan had in the stadium that it was a pretty remarkable play by the kid,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “It looked like the ball was in Steer’s glove and the kid stole it. I don’t know how he did it.”
Pham followed Jace Peterson’s two-run triple with a two-run double off Hunter Greene (2-6), giving the Diamondbacks a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning.
With Arizona leading 8-4 in the seventh inning, Pham sent a towering shot to the wall in left.
Photo: AP
Reds outfielder Steer timed his leap perfectly and had the ball in his glove, seemingly robbing Pham of the homer.
One problem: A boy stole the ball from Steer.
Also wearing a glove, he reached into Steer’s glove and pulled the ball out, leaving the left fielder slumped against the wall.
Photo: AP
The umpires initially ruled Pham’s shot a home run and the hometown fans chanted “MVP, MVP” at the boy when they saw video of his robbery.
The home run was negated after review, setting off a chorus of boos at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks’ broadcast showed the boy and his family being removed from their seats by security.
“I was in the dugout like, out, it’s clear interference,” Pham said. “I just feel bad for him because kids really don’t know that interference rules, so sucks that you got to get kicked out for that.”
The family was moved, not ejected.
That was not the end of the drama.
Cincinnati loaded the bases against Justin Martinez and Will Benson hit a grand slam, cutting Arizona’s lead to 10-8. Kevin Ginkel struck out the final two batters for his fourth save in five chances.
“That’s a lot of runs, but our offense did a good job of continuing to battle,” Reds manager David Bell said. “They gave us an opportunity at the end and at that point in the game that’s what you’re looking for.”
Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt (1-6) allowed two hits on three runs in 5-1/3 innings for his first big-league victory.
Elsewhere on Friday, it was:
‧ Blue Jays 2, Guardians 5
‧ Brewers 7, Padres 3
‧ Giants 1, Braves 5
‧ Mariners 7, Royals 5
‧ Marlins 4, Nationals 7
‧ Mets 1, Angels 3
‧ Orioles 5, Rockies 4
‧ Phillies 7, Cardinals 2
‧ Pirates 2, Cubs 1
‧ Rays 2, Yankees 6
‧ Red Sox 4, Dodgers 7
‧ Tigers 4, Astros 1
‧ Twins 12, Rangers 2
‧ White Sox 4, Athletics 12
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