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Lance Berkman. The Diamondbacks are happy to see the veteran slugger leave town.
His second-inning grand slam and fourth home run in the last three games helped propel the St. Louis Cardinals to a 15-5 series finale win against Arizona. Ian Kennedy (1-1) lasted just 3 innings and surrendered 7H/ 9ER/ 2BB/ 1K. It was not pretty.
Aaron Heilman did not provide any comfort in his relief appearance. The right-hander allowed 7H/ 6ER over 1 2/3 innings.
The Diamondbacks trailed 12-0 in the fourth inning and never really had a chance to get back in the game. Russell Branyan hit a two-run home run to close the gap but the Cardinals added three more runs in the fifth.
Jake Westbrook (1-1) was good enough to earn his first win of the season pitching 5 1/3 innings allowing 9H/ 5R/ 2ER/ 2BB/ 3K.
The World Champion San Francisco Giants come to town Friday night to begin a three-game weekend series. Daniel Hudson is scheduled to make the start against Matt Cain.
Final Score: Cardinals win 15-5
In the middle game of the series, Diamondbacks hitters torched St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter for 8H/ 8ER in four innings. The 2005 NL Cy Young winner allowed a majestic, 478-foot home run to Justin Upton in the second inning.
Armando Galarraga (2-0) struggled in his five innings of work. The right-hander allowed 9H/ 5ER/ 2BB/ 3K, including three solo home runs to the Cardinals hitters.
Chris Young and Juan Miranda added long home runs in helping spark the offensive attack.
Manager Kirk Gibson was ejected for the first time in his career for arguing called strikes against Miguel Montero in the third inning by umpire Bob Davidson.
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In the sixth inning, the Cardinals pulled to within 9-7. RHP Kam Mickolio struck out Albert Pujols and Matt Holiday stranding the potential tying runs on base. It was the turning point in the game.
The Diamondbacks scored at least one run in the first six innings. Over the final three innings, David Hernandez and J.J. Putz were able to keep the Cardinals from scoring.
Final Score: Diamondbacks win 13-8
Barry Enright (0-1) pitched six innings allowing 9H/ 4ER/ 1BB/ 4K including the first home run of the year to Lance Berkman.
The Diamondbacks failed to capitalize on several run scoring opportunities off RHP Kyle McClellan. Arizona tallied 11 base runners off the converted relief pitcher but just one run.
Justin Upton and Melvin Mora led the team with two hits each. The rest of the offense did little damage against four Cardinals relievers.
Juan Gutierrez struggled in his second consecutive relief appearance allowing Berkman’s second home run of the game and a solo shot to Jon Jay.
Final Score: Cardinals win 8-2
