The Diamondbacks opened their 2011 home schedule on Friday night by routing the Cincinnati Reds, 13-2 at Chase Field.
Ian Kennedy (1-0) pitched eight superb innings limiting the Reds dynamic offense to 6H/ 1R/ 1B/ 9K. The right-hander threw 104 pitches, 73 strikes in his second start of the season.
Three home runs by Justin Upton, Kelly Johnson, and Chris Young were more than enough support. The Diamondbacks offense sparkled during the last three innings including 10 unanswered runs sending the 48,027 fans home happy.
Miguel Montero continued his torrid hitting going 3-3 with 2 runs scored. The Diamondbacks catcher has hit safely in every game to start the season.
Sloppy defense and poor offensive execution was the story in Saturday night’s 6-1 loss to Bronson Arroyo and the Reds.
Daniel Hudson (0-2) suffered the defeat pitching 7IP/ 3H/ 2ER/ 3BB/ 8K. The right-hander allowed only two base runners after allowing two first inning runs.
The Diamondbacks offense failed to convert several scoring chances in the early innings. Melvin Mora drove in the only run of the game for Arizona with a two-out single in the sixth inning.
A throwing error by Juan Gutierrez in the 9th inning contributed to the four-run uprising and sealed the victory for Cincinnati. The reliever mishandled a groundball hit by Scott Rolen and rushed his throw to first base.
Chris Young hit a three-run home run off Nick Masset in the 8th inning to lead the Diamondbacks (4-4) to a 10-8 victory in the series finale.
Joe Saunders struggled in his second start of the season. The left-hander pitched 3 IP/ 6H/ 4ER/ 5BB/ 1K. Former ASU pitcher Mike Leake struggled during his 4 2/3IP/ 9H/ 6ER/ 2BB/ 4K.
Stephen Drew led the Diamondbacks’ offense with four hits. Willie Bloomquist continued his blazing start going 3-5 and added his NL-leading sixth stolen base.
Aaron Heilman (1-0) pitched three innings in relief to earn the victory. J.J. Putz earned his third save of the season. The closer stranded the tying runs on base in the ninth inning.
The Diamondbacks host Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night to begin a three- game series.