The D-backs' lefty pitching prospect missed his first scheduled start March 3 as a precautionary measure after feeling tenderness in his throwing shoulder. Although he did take the hill four days later, he did not have his best stuff. The 20-year-old allowed a grand slam and four walks against the Indians.

But on Sunday, Arizona's No. 3 prospect allowed one run on two hits and struck out five over three innings of work to earn the victory in the D-backs' split-squad 8-7 Cactus League win over Cincinnati.

Skaggs fanned three more than he had struck out in his previous two starts and did not issue a free pass. He has allowed one run without a walk over his last five innings in two starts to lower his ERA to 7.94.

The 20-year-old struck out 198 batters over 158 1/3 innings last year between Class A Advanced Visalia and Double-A Mobile.

He was originally selected by the Angels in the first round -- 40th overall -- in 2009 out of Santa Monica (Calif.) High School. He was one of four pitchers sent to the D-backs in a trade for Dan Haren in July 2010.

Fellow hurler Kevin Munson, the No. 17 prospect in the Arizona system, struck out two and walked one in a scoreless eighth after having allowed runs in his two previous Cactus League appearances.

No. 5 Reds prospect Zack Cozart went 2-for-2 after entering the game in the sixth. The 2011 International League All-Star totaled four hits this weekend after stroking two triples against the Indians on Saturday.