The Arizona Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy pitched five very good innings on Tuesday night at Chase Field against the St. Louis Cardinals. Unfortunately, those five shut-out frames came after the ace couldn't get anybody out in the first two innings, in which he gave up a pair of homers (including a grand slam) to Cards outfielder Carlos Beltran.
Turns out the six runs batted in by Beltran would be all the Cards needed as St. Louis starter Jake Westbrook blanked the D-Backs for seven innings in the Cards' 6-1 win. It was the fourth-straight loss for Arizona.
Kennedy, who dominated opponents in 2011 and had been off to a strong start this season, gave up five hits, a walk and a hit batsman, in the first two innings of Tuesday night's game. After that, he retired 15 of 16 Cardinal batters. His earned-run average on the year now stands at 3.91.
Even after Kennedy settled down, the D-Back hitters could get nothing going against Westbrook, who gave up only four hits and two walks and struck out eight en route to improving his record to 4-2 and lowering his ERA to a minuscule 1.76.
The D-Backs finally drew blood in the bottom of the ninth inning on a Miguel Montero double that scored Justin Upton.
The D-Backs (14-17) will attempt to salvage the series today at 6:40 when Kyle Lohse (4-1) and Wade Miley (3-0) face off. TV: Fox Sports Arizona. Radio: KTAR 620 AM. More info: www.dbacks.com.