Major League Baseball

Diamondbacks 4, Padres 2

Published Jun. 3, 2012 5:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Arizona manger Kirk Gibson appreciates an intense player. Daniel Hudson impressed him Saturday night.

Hudson, making his second start since coming off the DL, made a big impression with eight strong innings to help the Diamondbacks to a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres.

Paul Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games with a solo homer and Arizona's struggling offense was resourceful in scoring four runs.

But Gibson, a fierce competitor in his playing days, was taken by the intensity Hudson showed. Especially after he paid Hudson a visit when the right-hander walked the leadoff batter in the eighth.

''The Huddy of old,'' Gibson said. ''He threw great. He didn't want to come out. His pitch count was pretty low. I went out and he's always lobbying for longer. I didn't want to take the game away from him, so I stayed with him. That's what we needed.''

Hudson, who missed more than a month with a right shoulder impingement, allowed two runs on five hits while striking out five and walking one. Hudson also had a sacrifice fly.

''He was wondering why I walked (Everth Cabrera) when I was up 0-2,'' Hudson said about Gibson's mound visit. ''He asked me how I felt and I said I felt fine. He said, `Try and get a double play and get out of this thing.'''

Hudson didn't get a double play but retired the next three batters to cap a solid outing.

''He kept the ball down and got quick outs,'' catcher Miguel Montero said.

When Montero was asked about Gibson's decision to keep Hudson in the game, he said, ''I would have done the same thing. His fastball was still good and his slider was outstanding.''

Arizona, which had scored two runs or less in three of their previous four games, scored three runs on a sacrifice fly, a balk and a bases-loaded walk.

''Right now, you have to take whatever they give you,'' Montero said.

The Diamondbacks got an assist from San Diego reliever Joe Thatcher, who balked in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning.

Gerardo Parra reached on a comebacker that deflected off Thatcher's bare hand and went for an infield single with one out in the inning. Willie Bloomquist singled and Parra advanced to third base. Thatcher was then called for a balk by third base umpire Brian Gorman, allowing Parra to score.

''(Parra) caused the balk,'' Gibson said. ''He took a couple of steps. He went down (the third base line) hard where Thatcher could see him.''

Thatcher and manager Bud Black did not agree with the call.

''He (Gorman) took the ball out of my hands,'' Thatcher said. ''I'm looking back at the second base umpire, he's shaking his head. I didn't balk. I don't know what he really saw. It changed the game.''

Goldschmidt's home run in the fifth inning into the second deck in left field tied the score 2-all.

San Diego, which broke a six-game losing streak with Friday night's 7-1 win over Arizona, has lost 10 of 12. The Padres have the majors' worst record at 18-36.

Arizona added another run in the eighth inning after Luke Gregerson allowed Montero's leadoff double and walked two batters to load the bases. Alex Hinshaw replaced Gregerson and walked Parra.

J.J. Putz pitched the ninth for his 12th save in 15 chances after retiring pinch-hitter Jesus Guzman on a line drive with runners at first and third.

The Diamondbacks failed to fully capitalize on San Diego starter Edinson Volquez's wildness.

The Padres right-hander walked consecutive batters to open innings in both the second and fourth innings. But Arizona managed to score just one run.

In the fourth, Montero and Chris Young walked to start the inning. An infield single by Josh Bell loaded the bases before Hudson's sacrifice fly gave the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead.

The Padres took the lead in the bottom of the inning after Will Venable led off with a bunt single and stole second. Cameron Maybin followed with an RBI single and took second on the throw home before he scored on Yonder Alonso's single.

Volquez, near the top of the list for most walks allowed in the majors, allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. He walked a season-high five and struck out five.

NOTES: In his last four starts, Volquez has received just three runs of support but has also walked 15. ... C Yasmani Grandal made his major league debut for San Diego as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning and flew out in his only at-bat. ... Arizona LF Jason Kubel made his first start since returning from the paternity leave list on Friday. ... Padres closer Huston Street (strained right lat) is getting closer to coming off the DL. Street, who threw nine pitches in one perfect inning of his first rehab appearance Friday night with Class-A Lake Elsinore, will throw again there on Sunday. Black said Street could be back with the Padres as early as next week. . Arizona SS Stephen Drew was scheduled to play nine innings on Saturday in an extended spring training game after playing seven innings on Friday. It would mark the first time Drew has played in consecutive games since starting his rehab. Drew broke his right ankle last July and has been out since then. . Diamondbacks RHP Trevor Cahill (2-5, 3.96) will pitch the series finale against Padres LHP Eric Stults (1-1, 2.92) on Sunday.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball