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.
]]>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.
]]>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.
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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.
Ian Kenndy would remain in the game for another two innings as he would end up recovering for the last two innings of his stay, notching eight strikeouts in his Diamondbacks debut. In the bottom of the fifth, Kelly Johnson would show that he is more than capable of hitting the long ball once again as he take Correia yard with a two run blast to tie the game back up at threes. In the following inning of play, outfielder Chris Young would hit a solo homer to left field to regain the D-backs lead.
With the game close, the D-backs’ bullpen would go to work on the Padres as they look to maintain their tight lead. In the bottom of the eighth inning would hit a solo home run to left center field to further extend the Diamondbacks lead as they were able to score one more run in the eight inning. In the ninth Chad Qualls would come in for the save as he shits down the Padres in the Diamondbacks’ five to three victory.
The D-backs would hit a total of four long balls on the night as they win the series and will be taking Thursday off before facing the Pittsburgh Pirates on the weekend beginning Friday night where Charlie Morton is expected to take the mound for the Pirates and Rodrigo Lopez for Arizona. Finally just a reminder that Friday night is Fireworks Night at Chase Field.
]]>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.
Rosales’ tough inning would come to a close as he walk the opposing pitcher before being removed from the game. Jordan Norberto would have his major league debut as a Diamondback and is the only left-hander on the D-backs opening roster. Chris Young would make a diving catch to end the first half of the sixth inning. Through five innings, San Diego’s Chris Young would have only one hit off him for the game.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Diamondbacks would drive in their first run as Chris Young would drive a ball in to the deep left center field driving in Miguel Montero. Tony Abreu would come into the game and single to advance Chris Young to third. The next batter would be Conor Jackson who would walk to first to load the bases with one out for Stephen Drew.
Arizona would be able to drive in two more runs in the seventh inning before being retired into the eighth. In the ninth inning Chad Qualls would come in for the D-backs as he leaves a hanging slider for Adiran Gonzalez to hit over the right field fence for another Padres run. Despite a lead-off single by Conor Jackson in the bottom of the ninth, the D-backs would be unable to come back from the three run deficit.
D-backs pitching would struggle to keep down the runs although the pitching staff would combine for a total of ten strikeouts versus the Padres’ eight. The Padres would also lead the game in bases on balls with five. The D-backs were unable to get run support for the game but did make a valiant effort as they lose to the San Diego Padres by a score of three to six.
In Wednesday’s matchup, the final game of the series, newcomer Ian Kennedy will pitch against Kevin Correia. Correia had a fantastic spring for the Pads as both pitchers look to get their first 2010 season win.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks faced the San Diego Padres in their first game of the season as both teams looked to make a statement today. Dan Haren was on the mound for the D-backs and former teammate Jon Garland was on the mound for the Padres. The Opening Day festivities were all that they promised to be as Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner would throw out the first pitch to get the game going.Miguel Montero would drive in the first run for Arizona as they were able to take the lead in the first inning of play. Mark Reynolds would hit a two-run homer in the third inning off of Jon Garland with one on and two out over the left field fence. In the following inning, Stephen Drew would hit a well-hit ball to deep center field with one on. Drew would show that he does have speed as he would turn a potential double into an inside-the-park home run.
Dan Haren would pitch near flawless baseball through the first six innings only allowing one hit. In the seventh inning, the Padres would score off of Haren witch would prompt the coaches to remove him from the game. Arizona would go into the final inning with a solid lead before reliever Bob Howry would give up back-to-back homers in the ninth inning before being removed from the game. Aaron Heilman would come in to finish things off as the Diamondbacks defeat the San Diego Padres by a score of six to three.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks were one of the most active teams in the off-season re-tooling their roster to help give the team a shot at capturing the National League West. Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson joined the pitching staff as the team awaits the return of Brandon Webb. Kelly Johnson arrived from Atlanta and Rodrigo Lopez from Philadelphia. Additionally some familiar faces signed contracts to make them a more integral part of the team. These players included Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds.
The Diamondbacks seem to have a decent amount of depth on the field and Manager A.J. Hinch expressed the fact that he was pleased with this. Being a manager of a team with good depth comes the responsibility of making some difficult decisions. With infielder Ryan Roberts wrapping up his spring training with a two run game-winning blast against the Chicago Cubs, he was then optioned to Reno as Hinch selects Rusty Ryal of the 25th spot on the Roster.
The starting pitcher for Monday’s Opening Day game and Diamondbacks home opener will be Dan Haren for the Arizona D-backs who will face former D-back Jon Garland of the San Diego Padres who look to put a damper on the Arizona festivities. San Diego comes off of a two-day break as the D-backs were able to get some more games in against the Chicago Cubs. Both teams would take Sunday off as they get ready for the big game.
San Diego was the second best National League team in spring training and the third best in the Cactus League. The Arizona Diamondbacks would finish their spring two games under 500 as they wrapped up their last spring in Tucson before moving to Scottsdale in 2011. More than anything, spring is a time for players to warm up and get ready for the season. Additionally, it is a time to get a look at some of the prospects so that they can get a shot at making the roster for the following season.
Despite the spring record of the Diamondbacks, Baseball Prospectus, one of the MLB sources for analysis and predictions has the D-backs in second place to the Colorado Rockies. The Padres, who are still relatively young as a team, are expected to place second to last in the NL West. With all of the recent changes in and around the D-backs, they look to be a force to be reckoned with in the National League West.
Opening Day will include Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kurt Warner throwing out the first pitch and country music singer Joe Nichols singing the National Anthem. The roof at Chase Field expects to be open for the game. If you are lucky enough to be at the game and will be sitting on the first base side, it is recommended that you bring a hat, sunglasses and some sunscreen as the forecast looks to be an amazing 76 degrees.
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The Angels would start off the game at Angel Stadium on the right foot as they were able to score the first run of the game for the team. The Padres would answer back in the following inning with a run of their own. In the fourth inning, the Padres would score one run to take the lead of the game. In the sixth inning Kyle Blanks would hit a three-run homer that would give the Padres some added insurance.
Los Angeles would score again with one run in the sixth and ninth innings. The Angels would leave two men stranded in the bottom of the ninth as they lose their chance at taking the game. The Padres would beat the Angels in the Southern California showdown by a score of five to three.
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The Royals and the Padres would play in Peoria as Headley would put the first run on the board against Zack Greinke with a solo home run. In the following inning, the Royals would be able to tie the game at one a piece. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Greinke would get blasted again as Venable would hit a two-run shot off of the A.L. Cy Young Award winner. The beatings would continue as Hairston joins the club and hits another one out off of Greinke.
From the opposite side dugout, Scott Thorman would hit two homers in the game for the Royals as both teams continued putting runs on the board. The game would end tied at eight as both teams would exchange the lead once before the end of the game. Greinke would escape the loss in what looks to be his final outing of the spring.
]]>The San Diego Padres would drive in two runs in the first inning as they faced the Reds in Goodyear. The Reds would be able to score their first run of the game in the second inning. In the third inning, centerfielder Scott Hairston would hit a three-run homer to increase the Padres’ lead as the team looked to hold onto the lead.
In the fifth inning, infielder Oscar Salazar would hit a solo homer to put an additional run on the board. In the following inning, the Padres would drive in their final run of the game. In the bottom of the sixth, the Reds would drive in two and two more in eighth as pinch-hitter Chris Denove would hit a two-run home run. The Padres would win the game by a score of seven to five.
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