D-Backs Wacky Ride To 2011 Playoffs Continues: May 17 Win Over Padres Jump-Starts Long Winning Streak

Going into this game at San Diego's Petco Park, the Diamondbacks were six games below .500 and a half-game out of last place in the not-so-great NL West division. Another one-run loss on the previous evening had hurt. Big relief pitcher Chad Qualls, whom had been a disaster zone when...

By Paul Rubin

October 1, 2011

Audio By Carbonatix

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Going into this game at San Diego's Petco Park, the Diamondbacks were six games below .500 and a half-game out of last place in the not-so-great NL West division.

Another one-run loss on the previous evening had hurt. Big relief pitcher Chad Qualls, whom had been a disaster zone when he was with Arizona, got the win for the Padres, to add insult to injury.

This is the point in the season where shaky teams start to fold the tent.

But Arizona would prove to be infinitely more resilient in 2011 than in the previous few seasons.

Daniel Hudson got the start for the D-Backs, and though Arizona eventually won by a 6-1 count, he didn't have his best stuff and had to work his way out of several jams.

Manager Kirk Gibson stuck with Hudson deep into the game, and his trust in the emotional right-hander paid off.

Miguel Montero, who would become one of baseball's best offensive catchers over the course of the season, got on base four times for the Diamondbacks.

The win over San Diego jump-started Arizona on a roll in which the locals won 13 of 14 games, and moved into first-place in the NL West.

A very good win.

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