Ian Kennedy had a three-game winning streak snapped last night and the Arizona Diamondbacks lost for the first time in seven games in a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Florida Marlins last night at Chase Field.
Kennedy had been outstanding since April 20, shedding two and a half runs off his earned-run average in the games since. But he was bested by Anibal Sanchez, a Marlins pitcher who has won three of his last four and thrown a complete-game shutout in his last outing.
The Diamondbacks jumped off to a quick lead against the Marlins in the first inning, as Justin Upton homered to left. It was all Marlins from then on, however, as the Fish scored a run in each of the middle innings en route to a decisive win.
Emilio Bonifacio walked with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, Greg Dobbs on third, Mike Stanton on second, and John Buck on first, which scored Dobbs for the first Marlins run of the game.
Sanchez, the Marlins' pitcher, then grounded out, scoring Stanton.
Logan Morrison hit a solo home run in the fifth to give the Marlins a 3-1 lead.
Looking to help himself out further, Sanchez drove in another run in the sixth, grounding out with Bonifacio on third to score another run.
The Marlins' offense scored its last run in the seventh, on a Gaby Sanchez home run. Kelly Johnson came up with a blast of his own in the bottom of the eighth, but it was too little too late for the Diamondbacks.
Ian Kennedy only gave up three of the Marlins' runs, as he only pitched five innings. Esmerling Vasquez and Aaron Heilman gave up the other two.
The Diamondbacks never really threatened in the game, getting two runners on in the sixth and seventh inning on singles that went nowhere. Those were the only innings where the Diamondbacks put multiple baserunners on base at the same time.
Sanchez struck out eight in eight innings for the Marlins, only giving up runs on the two solo shots hit by the Diamondbacks. He even struck out the Diamondbacks' best hitters in the fourth when he set Upton, Stephen Drew, and Chris Young down 1-2-3.
As the Giants lost their contest against St. Louis, the Diamondbacks remain in first place.
