D-backs blow another lead as they are swept in San Diego

The Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitching has a spectacular 1.55 ERA over the last four games yet the D-backs are 0-4 over their last four and have lost 5 of their last 6 games. Ian Kennedy was the latest to throw a gem as the new D-backs starter showed the San Diego Padres the potential that made him a first round pick in 2007. Kennedy allowed two hits and three walks while striking out seven in five innings. The only complaint of Kennedy could have been he eclipsed 100 pitches in just five innings which lead to manager A.J. Hinch removing the starter after five.

Leo Rosales would relieve Kennedy in the sixth inning and despite not allowing a run to score he struggled. Rosales  allowed a single and a walk to the first two batters he faced and was saved by a Mark Reynolds catch of a fly ball in foul territory followed by a double play. In the seventh inning struggling relievers Aaron Heilman and Juan Gutierrez would combine to allow five runs on four hits and a walk including a homer by Scott Hairston.

Mark Reynold had staked the D-backs to a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single and his fourth homer of the season. Stephen Drew would drive in one more run in the ninth inning, but they D-backs came up short losing 5-3.

Benson solid in first start for Arizona

Kris Benson was a late spring pick-up for the Arizona Diamondbacks and today he got his first start of the year when he took to the mound against the San Diego Padres. While he did not leave with a win, Benson looked solid in his six innings of work allowing two runs on six hits while also walking four.

The D-backs struggled at the plate against Padres starter Kevin Correia and four relievers. The five Padres pitchers held the D-backs scoreless while giving up only four hits and two walks while striking out 13.

San Diego’s catcher Nick Hundley did most of the damage against the D-backs pitching going 3-for-4 with three RBIs including a solo homer off Benson in the 4th.

Arizona will send Ian Kennedy to the mound on Sunday to try to salvage one game in San Diego. The D-backs have now lost four straight.

D-backs blow lead in 9th for third game in a row

Stop me if you have heard this before, the Arizona Diamondbacks took a lead into the bottom of the ninth before a blown save cost them the game.  After two blown saves on back-to-back nights by closer Chad Qualls, many in Phoenix were calling for Juan Gutierrez to get a shot at the closer role and that is exactly what he got against the San Diego Padres, but with similar results.

Edwin Jackson made his third start of the year for the D-backs and three six shutout innings allowing only three hits in those six innings. The D-bakcs took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning then the bullpen was unable to finish the game for Jackson. Bob Howry and Aaron Heilman would both allow a run in their one inning of work before Gutierrez entered the game in the 9th.

Gutierrez walked the first batter he faced, but then after a sacrifice bunt a strikeout things looked good. Then David Eckstein hit a soft liner to left and Gutierrez intentionally walked Adrian Gonzalez bringing Chase Headley to the plate with bases loaded. Headley sent both teams home for the night with one swing of the bat with a walk-off grand slam.

Kelly Johnson Powers The D-backs Against Padres

The Arizona Diamondbacks would face the San Diego Padres for their final game of the series as Ian Kennedy would get his first start as a D-back. Former Brave Kelly Johnson would be the story as he would go three-for-three with two home runs, three RBI and a walk in the seventh inning. Kelly’s first homer would come in the first inning with no outs as he helps to give the D-backs an early lead. In the third inning, Kennedy would give up a three-run shot to Scott Hairson to give the Padres the lead. Read more

Padres’ Chris Young One Hits D-backs Through Six

Edwin Jackson would face Chris Young in Tuesday’s game as Jackson would struggle early on. In the second inning Everth Cabrera would hit a two-RBI double into deep left field. In the fourth inning, Will Venable would hit a solo home run to add one run to the score. Edwin Jackson would be removed from the game after four and one-thirds innings of play. Leo Rosales would come into the game to pitch for the Diamondbacks. In the top of the sixth inning with two outs, Cabrera would get another extra base hit as his triple would score two more runners. Read more

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