Anthony DeSclafani was considering hitting strategy after the count got to 3-2 with the bases loaded in the third inning.
"I wasn't in swing mode at first," he said. "I was going to maybe try and foul something off or try to look for a pitch."
Then left-hander Brian Dusing started his windup.
"I just said screw this: Grip and rip," DeSclafani said. "If it's a fastball, try to get the head out and square it up."
Square it up he did.
DeSclafani hit a 92-mph fastball out to left field for a grand slam, sending the Reds to an 11-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs before a crowd of 36,818 at Great American Ball Park.