D-backs fall for second time to Red Sox

Over the last month and a half Boston Red Sox starter Jon Lester has been one of the best in baseball going 8-0 with a 2.18 ERA. Today the Arizona Diamondbacks saw why he has been so successful. Lester pitched seven innings and allowed only four hits and two runs while striking out seven.

Rodrigo Lopez did not fair as well for Arizona allowing six runs on ten hits in seven innings in the 6-2 loss in Fenway. Sam Demel made his first appearance for the D-backs and looked impressive. Demel did not allow a base runner and struck out one in his inning. Demel thre 13 pitches, 9 of which were strikes.

For only the second time in the last ten games Justin Upton did not strike out. Upton, hitting in the seventh spot went 2-for-3 on the day with a walk and knocked in both of Arizona’s runs. With Chris Young on base in the second inning Upton hit a 2-run homer which at the time tied the score.

Chandler AZ resident and former ASU star Dustin Pedroia hit his ninth homer of the eyar and went 2-for-4 on the day.

The D-backs try to take one in Fenway tomorrow when they send Dan Haren to the mound.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
ARI	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	6	0
BOS	2	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	x	6	10	0

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D-backs allow 4 in 9th and end up splitting series

The Arizona Diamondbacks had to rally for five runs in the seventh and eight inning to tie the Atlanta Braves at 7-7. But the comeback effort was wasted in the top of the ninth as closer Chad Qualls coming off four solid outings in a row allowed five hits and four earned runs while only recording one out.

Dontrelle Willis got his second start of the year for the D-backs and continued to struggle with walks. Willis only lasted 4 innings allowing two runs to score on three hits and six walks. Willis threw 95 pitches in only four innings, only 49 of which were for strikes.

The D-backs made a run in the bottom of the ninth loading the bases with only one out. Braves closer Billy Wagner would close the door striking out Rusty Ryal and Chris Snyder giving the D-backs 16 strikeouts on the day.

Kelly Johson was 2-for-4 on the day with three runs batted in, but also struck out two times. Justin Upton, Adam LaRoche and John Hester each struck out three times stranding 10 base runners.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
ATL	0	0	0	2	5	0	0	0	4	11	16	1
ARI	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	3	0	7	8	0

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Ian Kennedy shines again as D-backs win

Ian Kennedy was strong once again tonight for the Arizona Diamondbacks in his start against the Atlanta Braves. Kennedy went seven innings allowing only three hits and striking out six. Kennedy did allow five walks, but held the Braves scoreless. Since April 24th Kennedy has a 3-2 record with a 2.65 ERA over the ten starts. Chad Qualls earned his 12th save of the season and now has not allowed an earned run in his last four appearances.

If there was bad news for the D-backs in the 2-1 win it was they could not get any offense going off Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami who entered the game with an 0-8 record. Kawakami allowed only four hits over six innings and recorded a season high eight strikeouts against the D-backs lineup.

The D-backs allowed one run to score in the top of the seventh inning, but the 1-0 lead did not last long. In the bottom of the seventh Gerardo Parra hit a long fly to right-center field that lead to Braves outfielders running into each other. Mark Reynolds and Parra scored on the play giving the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead which they would hold.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
ATL	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	5	0
ARI	0	0	0	00	0	0	0	2	x	2	6	0

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D-backs fall with a run allowed in the last four innings

Each of the four pitchers for the Arizona Diamondbacks allowed a run in tonight’s game against the Atlanta Braves. Edwin Jackson pitched a complete game shutout in his last outing, but tonight he allowed four earned runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings of work.

Jackson would be relieved in the seventh inning by Blaine Boyer who was recalled from the minors earlier in the day. Tied 4-4, Boyer would allow one run to score on two hits and a walk. Vasque and Gutierrez would each allow one run to score in the eight and ninth innings leading to the 7-5 loss.

Kelly Johnson continued his recent hot hitting going 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and is now hitting .375 over his last ten games. Johnson would be joined by Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds with homers on the night.

Despite hitting only .217 on the season Reynolds is now tied for second in the NL in homers and fifth in RBI’s only 2 behind NL leader Troy Glaus.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
ATL	1	2	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	7	14	0
ARI	2	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	5	7	0

Boxscore

D-backs bats alive again in win over Braves

The Arizona Diamondbacks were able to get to Atlanta Braves starter Derek Lowe scoring seven runs on eight hits and two walks in four innings earning the team their third win in their last four games. Dan Haren lasted 5.2 innings for the D-backs allowing three runs on nine hits striking out five.

Aaron Heilman would pitch strong again with his 5th scoreless outing in his last 6 appearances. Heilman came into the game with one out and bases loaded. He would hit a batter allowing a run to score before retiring the next two Braves. Chad Qualls would pick up the save in the 9th despite walking three batters.

Stephen Drew had a big night going 2-for-4 with four runs batted in including knocking in one run in the first inning and another three with a tripple. Mark Reynolds hit his 13th homer and knocked in his 42nd run in the 4th inning off Lowe.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
ATL	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	4	11	0
ARI	2	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	x	7	9	0

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