Jordan Lawlar hits a 2-run HR and has 3 RBIs to lead the Diamondbacks past the Reds 9-0

PHOENIX (AP) — Jordan Lawlar hit a two-run homer and had a career-high three RBIs, Eduardo Rodriguez threw 5 2/3 strong innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-0 on Friday night to keep pace in the National League playoff race.

The D-backs remain a game behind the San Diego Padres for the final NL wild-card spot.

The 24-year-old Lawlar had the first three-hit game of his career while Geraldo Perdomo also had a three hits. Gabriel Moreno, Tim Tawa and Corbin Carroll all had two hits. Lawlar's two-run shot to left field in the second gave the D-backs a 3-0 lead and was the center fielder's second homer in the big leagues.

Rodriguez (13-4) continued his brilliant season, giving up four hits and two walks while striking out four. The left-handed All-Star lowered his ERA to 2.61.

The Reds have dropped six of their past eight games.

Cincinnati left-hander Nick Lodolo (3-3) was hit hard, giving up six runs on 10 hits and two walks over 3 1/3 innings. The D-backs scored at least one run in each of the first four innings, building a 6-0 lead by the fifth.

Arizona stole four bases in the first two innings, which happened for just the fourth time in franchise history.

Reds left fielder Michael Toglia left the game in the first inning because of a dislocated right shoulder. Toglia made a diving catch on Geraldo Perdomo's fly ball in the gap, but landed hard on the shoulder and left the field with medical personnel.

The Diamondbacks send RHP Michael Soroka (8-3, 2.93 ERA) to the mound on Saturday vs. Reds RHP Rhett Lowder (4-8, 5.17).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo flips the rosin bag during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino, left, throws to second base as Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno looks on during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar, right, celebrates his two-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds with Diamondbacks' Tim Tawa (13) during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

MACKAY, Australia (AP) — Mitchell Starc removed Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam with the first ball of the match and the veteran Australian fast bowler took six wickets in the first innings of the second cricket test Saturday.

After Australia won the toss and decided to bowl, with captain Pat Cummins suggesting “the wicket looks pretty good, but if there is any moisture in it, it might be this morning.” Starc proved Cummins correct and Bangladesh was bowled out for 64 runs shortly after lunch.

Islam was caught in the gully off a leading edge to give Starc his record fourth career wicket on the first ball of a match. Starc removed Tanzid Hasan and had captain Najmul Hossain Shanto caught lbw in the third over to leave Bangladesh, which surprisingly won the first test of the two-test series, reeling.

Starc got his fourth wicket when Nathan Green made a grass-top catch to remove Mominul Haque for 9, the only Bangladesh batter to score a run among the first four batters Saturday. His fifth wicket came when he had Litton Das trapped lbw and his sixth after lunch.

Starc's figures were 6-12 in 10 overs and Cummins finished with three wickets. The Bangladesh total was the lowest while batting first in Australia since 1932 when South Africa was dismissed for 36.

“Six (wickets) in the first session, can't beat that,” Starc told his wife, television commentator and former Australia captain Alyssa Healy while walking off the field at lunch. “Obviously a little bit of anger."

Australia announced a 13-man squad earlier this week, with only one change for the second test. It dropped Jake Weatherald and recalled Matt Renshaw, who opened the batting but was out for 8 early in the Australian innings.

The match began under sunny skies at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, a coastal city in Queensland state about 800 kilometers (500 miles) north of the capital Brisbane.

Bangladesh’s first test win in Australia put pressure on national cricket selectors for an overhaul, but the bulk of the aging squad was retained despite being outplayed in Darwin, where the likes of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan made the most of the tropical conditions.

The two-test “Top End” series starts a heavy 12-month schedule for the Australians that will feature 20 test matches, including tours to South Africa, India and England.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

Mitchell Starc of Australia appeals unsuccessfully for a wicket during play on day two of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Darwin, Australia, Friday, Aug.14, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)

Travis Head of Australia walks from the field after he was dismissed during play on day three of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug.15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)

Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh celebrates after dismissing Beau Webster of Australia during play on day four of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)

Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh takes a selfie with fans after defeating Australia on day four of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)