Diamondbacks Rally in Ninth to Beat Reds

PHOENIX — Alex Cintron hit a solo homer, capping a two-run rally in the ninth inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cincinnati Reds for the 12th straight time, 6-5, Friday night.

The Diamondbacks improved to 36-36, reaching the .500 mark for the first time since April 1.

Tony Womack, who homered and doubled earlier, scored the tying run in the ninth without a hit.

Red closer Scott Williamson, who blew only his second save in 19 chances, walked Womack to lead off the inning. With Cintron at the plate, Williamson made a wild pickoff throw to first that sent Womack to third. Womack then scored on a wild pitch by Williamson (4-3).

Cintron then hit his fifth home run.

Jose Valverde (1-0) got the win after pitching a scoreless ninth.

The Reds took a 5-4 lead into the ninth after Ken Griffey Jr., pinch-hitting after missing a fourth straight start because of a sore hip, lined a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Jose Guillen had a two-run homer and an RBI double for the Reds.

From Associated Press