The Arizona Diamondbacks opened their first homestand with two wins in three games against the Cincinnati Reds this weekend.
Friday night's contest was a fun one for all in attendance at Chase Field. The crowd was playoff loud as the Diamondbacks dominated the Reds 13-2. Saturday's game was a pitcher's duel until the top of the ninth, when the Reds pulled away, 6-1. Sunday was an epic slugfest as the Diamondbacks rallied late to win, 10-8.
Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson were impressive this weekend; Joe Saunders, not so much. Saunders' spring training troubles continued with a lousy start Sunday. D'Backs Manager Kirk Gibson trotted out his 6th, 7th, and 8th different lineups of the season as Stephen Drew returned and hit all over the order. The organization is doing its best to keep its fans and players on their toes, which is making for fun ball.
Ian Kennedy was impressive on Friday night, pitching eight innings while giving up one run and striking out nine. He wasn't just dealing to home plate, however, as he picked off Reds leadoff man Drew Stubbs in the third. All game he gave up one hard hit: a double to reigning MVP Joey Votto in the fifth. But he clamped down afterward, striking out Scott Rolen and Jay Bruce before getting Jonny Gomes to fly out to center.
It's early in the year, but Kennedy is coming into his own as a pitcher.
The team put the game away with a six-run eighth. Shortstop Stephen Drew, in first game back in the starting lineup, doubled in Justin Upton, who homered in the seventh. Chris Young went deep in the eighth.
Saturday's matchup was a pitcher's duel between Daniel Hudson and Bronson Arroyo, which delivered the art of pitching. Hudson was a hard luck loser, giving up two runs in the first before throwing six more scoreless innings and striking out eight. The game was 2-1 until Juan Gutiérrez gave up four runs in the ninth.
Stephen Drew had a monstrous game Sunday, singling in Bloomquist to kick off the scoring in a five run fifth inning. Chris Young hit a sacrifice fly to plate Kelly Johnson in, and Ryan Roberts homered with Justin Upton and Stephen Drew on base. Drew kicked off the scoring in the 8th, too, singling in Gerardo Parra. Chris Young then homered in Johnson and Drew.
Drew hit fifth, second, and fourth over the weekend, though he's a natural two-hitter on this team.
The Diamondbacks continue their series at home this week, with the St. Louis Cardinals coming to town Monday through Wednesday and the San Francisco Giants heading over Friday.
