PHOENIX – Tucker Barnhart doesn’t receive many opportunities to hit against left-handed pitching because he’s struggled against them throughout his career.
He gave up switch-hitting because he didn’t feel like standing in the right-handed batter’s box was giving him much of an advantage. As a lefty, he entered Friday with one hit and 10 strikeouts in 24 at-bats against left-handed pitchers.
The Cincinnati Reds didn’t have a choice in the 10th inning with their bench empty. Barnhart, who saw the bullpen implode with a five-run lead, had to hit with runners on the corners and two outs against Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Alex Young.