The Arizona Diamondbacks would come off of a tough loss against one of the better teams in the Majors from a day prior. In Sunday’s game, the score would be in Philadelphia’s favor at the beginning of the game. The Phillies would score two runs in the first inning and carry the lead through to the fifth where they would add one more run to the score, leading the D-backs by a score of three to nothing.

It was in the bottom of the fifth inning where the D-backs would explode offensively, scoring five runs. Two of the runs would score on a Kelly Johnson homer and three on a home run by Mark Reynolds. Despite their current below .500 record, the D-backs lead the National League with home runs. Reynolds and Johnson happen to also be in the top ten major leaguers with homers to date.

After taking a two-run lead, the D-backs let it slip away as they found themselves one run down after the sixth inning. The D-backs would score one more run in the seventh inning to tie the game up as they looked to the bullpen. With the relief issues as of late, the bullpen was able to hold on as Arizona would drive in two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the lead.

Mark Reynolds would drive in multiple RBI that would account for half of the runs in the game while going three for five. Qualls would come in to earn the save as he came in to the game in the bottom of the ninth to retire all three batters, two of which with strikeouts.

This series and this game is a huge win for the Diamondbacks as they prepare for a challenging eleven game road trip to face the Rockies, Cubs and Astros.

With Kris Benson on the mound for Arizona and Cole Hamels for the Phillies, the game would begin as a bit of a pitching duel as neither team would get on the board until the third inning. Philadelphia would score first, driving in one run in the third and another in the fourth to have a two to nothing lead over Arizona. The D-backs would score five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning including three homers from the team. Mark Reynolds, Adam LaRoche and Chris Snyder would all go yard on Cole Hamels as the team would take a three run lead.

In the bottom of the fifth with Hamels still in the game, Kelly Johnson would join the party by hiting a solo shot to extend the Arizona lead. The Phillies would be able to put up another run in the seventh inning but, the day was not over for Kelly Johnson. Johnson would hit another blast in the seventh inning to further extend the D-backs lead. Aaron Heilman would give up a run to Philadelphia in the top of the ninth inning before Chad Qualls would come in to wrap up the game and get the save.

The win against the Phillies should be a huge confidence booster for the club as they look to face some pretty solid teams on the road once this series is over. On Saturday, Nelson Figueroa is expected to face Ian Kennedy as Kennedy looks for his first win as an Arizona Diamondback. Saturday is also Justin Upton bobble head day in the event that you want to get out to the park.

The three earned runs that belonged to Garland were compounded by some sloppy fielding by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the game. The D-backs would have two errors in the game and would not score until the eighth inning. With his home run in the eighth inning, Mark Reynolds would extend his hitting streak to eleven games. Stephen Drew would extend his streak to nine games. Miguel Montero’s streak would come to an end.

The D-backs bullpen, once again solid, would not make a major difference in the game but, would come through with three more scoreless innings. The Phillies pitcher is yet to be announced as the team will face all-star Dan Haren and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.

Jason Donald not only played well during the 2008 AFL season, he also represented the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games. Additionally Donald has some ties to Arizona in that he played college ball at the University of Arizona. Drafted originally by the Angels out of high school, Donald opted to attend U of A before being drafted again by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006.

In Wednesday’s baseball action, Mesa reigns victorious against the Peoria Saguaros at they win the game by a score of 7-4. The win would solidify the team’s trip to the championship game on Saturday against the Phoenix Desert Dogs. The tie breaking statistic in the standings is the number of runs scored by the team. Jeremy Slayden’s grand slam home run would be the difference in the tie breaker that would send Mesa to the championship game.

Phoenix continues to struggle despite their recent playoff berth. The Dogs lose, in Phoenix, to the Surprise Rafters by a score of 11-6. Outfielder Brian McFall of the Kansas City Royals contributed with two home runs and four RBIs. Surprise would have big second and third innings scoring a combined 7 runs and never looking back. As the Desert Dogs approach the championship game on Saturday, they will be working hard the next couple of days in order to prepare for their matchup against the 8-game win-streak Solar Sox who have been hot at the end of the season.

In Scottsdale, after recognition was given, the Peoria Javelinas hit the field on a mission. The Javelinas would score two runs right away, in the first inning, and another two in the second. Peoria’s Kevin Russo of the New York Yankees would hit a towering shot to left center field that would drive in two of the runs. It was a great night for Yankees prospects as Phil Hughes throws five scoreless innings, striking out ten and only allowing two hits before being removed from the game. The Scorpions would not go on to score as they drop the game to the Javelinas by a score of 5-0.