Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Ian Kennedy allowed one run over eight innings,
Miguel Montero hit a pair of RBI doubles and the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated
the San Diego Padres, 3-2, on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series.
Kennedy (14-11) gave up a sacrifice fly to Yonder Alonso during a 30-pitch
first inning before finding his stride. In all, the righty gave up seven hits
with two walks and six strikeouts while improving to 3-0 over his last four
starts.
J.J. Putz allowed an unearned run in the ninth before securing his 30th save
of the season.
Paul Goldschmidt had a two-out RBI single in the first inning before scoring
on Montero's double to right.
In the fifth, Montero drove home Justin Upton with a two-out blast off the
base of the wall in center field.
The Diamondbacks, who have won four of six, remain 4 1/2 games out of the
final NL wild card spot due to a win by the St. Louis Cardinals earlier
Tuesday.
Eric Stults (6-3) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings for San
Diego and suffered his first loss since returning to the starting rotation on
Aug. 6.
The Padres, who were coming off a 7-2 homestand, were winners in their
previous six trips to Chase Field this season. They are now seven games out of
the last NL wild card spot.
Diamondbacks center fielder Chris Young returned to the starting lineup for
the first time since Sept. 3 but aggravated a right quad injury while making a
running catch on the first play of the game.
Gerardo Parra entered in left field for Young and Adam Eaton moved from left
to center.
In the ninth inning, Chris Denorfia led off with a line drive single to center
and the ball rolled past Eaton, allowing Denorfia to reach third base. Will
Venable followed with a sac fly before Putz retired Jesus Guzman and pinch-
hitter Mark Kotsay to end the game.
Game Notes
Eaton walked twice and scored a run ... Kennedy improved to 7-1 in 11 career
starts against the Padres. He is 8-3 at home on the season ... Stults
suffered his first loss since June 3 ... San Diego leads the season-series,
10-6.
The Sports Network