Adam Dunn went from the cellar of the National League Central to the top of the West, and he’s going to get every opportunity to help the Arizona Diamondbacks secure a spot in the postseason.
Dunn was in the lineup Tuesday for Arizona’s game against the Rockies at Coors Field, batting cleanup and playing right field one day after he was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for minor-league pitcher Dallas Buck and two players to be determined.
“I am very fortunate to be here,” Dunn said after batting practice. “I don’t have the words to describe it. You play the game to put yourself in position to be in the playoffs and be in a pennant race. Now, I’m fortunate enough to have this opportunity.”
Dunn was playing for a Reds team that had lost six straight and was in last place, 19 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs. Now he’s with the NL West-leading Diamondbacks, who had a half-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers entering Tuesday.
Dunn has never played in the postseason. “I appreciate the chance to play for a ring,” he said.
The Diamondbacks traded for Dunn to help boost their offense, which was ranked 20th in the majors. Dunn led the Reds in home runs the past six seasons, and hit 40 or more in each of the last four years. He’s passed 100 RBIs in three of the last four seasons, including a career-high 106 last year.
Dunn, 28, also has led the league in strikeouts three times, including 195 in 2004. That year, he hit a career-high 46 home runs.
The slugger was tied for the major-league lead with 32 homers heading into the game with the Rockies and was batting .233 with 74 RBIs. He is near the end of an $18.5 million deal.
Dunn acknowledged it was difficult to leave the Reds, the only franchise he had played for in his eight-year career. “It was bittersweet,” he said.
