CINCINNATI -- First baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand is a hitter the Reds were hoping could do big things for their lineup this season. Although Encarnacion-Strand struggled at the plate before going on the 10-day injured list on April 17 with lower back inflammation, the right-handed slugger's bat should improve the roster now that he was activated on Friday.

Encarnacion-Strand, 25, started at first base on Friday vs. the Diamondbacks, and he made his contributions felt quickly with two hits including a big home run.

Arizona had a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Encarnacion-Strand hit a game-tying one-out solo homer to center field on a 1-0 breaking ball from reliever Cristian Mena. After the inning, play was suspended and the game will be resumed on Saturday at

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