Jason Kubel returned from a sore hamstring and homered in his first two at-bats on Wednesday night, powering the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 7-1 victory that dropped the Cincinnati Reds back into a first-place tie in the NL Central.

Kubel was out of the lineup for four games because of the hamstring. He hit a two-run shot in the first inning and a solo homer in the fourth off Mat Latos (7-3), who lost for the first time since April 18. Latos forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk in his second-shortest start of the season.

Ian Kennedy (7-8) gave up one run in eight innings.

The Reds have lost two of three since learning that first baseman Joey Votto needed surgery on his left knee.