by Doug Haller - May. 27, 2012 07:50 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com
It's OK if you don't remember the last time the Diamondbacks won a home series. Had it happened just a couple weeks ago, that would be one thing, but this streak has lasted awhile.
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Seven weeks to be exact.
In between, the Diamondbacks lost a franchise-record six consecutive series at Chase Field. The effort landed them in third place in the National League West, and at times they've needed binoculars to see the first-place Dodgers.
But Sunday, the streak ended, and this one had a familiar feel. Arizona got enough timely hitting to overcome some base-running miscues and posted a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, their second triumph in a three-game set at Chase Field.
"It kind of felt like old times a little bit," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said.
Season-defining moment? Even the Diamondbacks were reluctant to define it in such a way, but it does give them a boost entering a six-game trip, which begins Monday in San Francisco. It's also the second time all month they've won back-to-back games. They haven't won three in a row since April 29-May 1.
"It's time to wake up a little bit," veteran catcher Henry Blanco said. "We're showing some life."
In front of 33,481 fans (and 352 dogs as part of a special promotion), Jason Kubel, Ryan Roberts and Blanco produced clutch hits, giving the Diamondbacks something last season's team did with regularity, a come-from-behind win.
The rally came with two out in the sixth inning. Trailing 3-1, Kubel ripped a run-scoring single to center, scoring Aaron Hill. After Paul Goldschmidt reached on an error, Roberts knotted the contest with a run-scoring single to center. Blanco then punched a soft hit into left that gave Arizona a 4-3 lead.
"It reminded me of last year for sure," said right-hander Daniel Hudson, who returned from the disabled list and went five innings in his first start since April 18. "Get a couple of two-out hits, take advantage of an error, coming from the bottom of the order like we did last year. ... It was a lot of fun to watch."
From there, relief pitchers Brad Ziegler, David Hernandez and closer J.J. Putz protected the lead. Putz, far from his best this season, recorded his 11th save, but Bryan Shaw provided the best from the bullpen, and he did it with just a single pitch.
With Milwaukee leading 3-1, Shaw entered with one out and the bases loaded in the sixth. With the infield drawn in, the right-hander threw a 76-mph curveball that Nyjer Morgan bounced to shortstop. Willie Bloomquist quickly threw home for one out and Blanco turned the inning-ending double play with a quick throw to first.
"Play of the game," Gibson said.
This one wasn't perfect. Relief pitcher Mike Zagurski walked three before Shaw bailed him out. And the Diamondbacks again had two runners break too early for second, resulting in easy pick-off attempts.
But the comeback, Hudson's return and Goldschmidt's towering home run in the fourth (ESPN Hit Tracker marked it for an estimated 471 feet) had the Diamondbacks leaving Chase Field with a good feeling for the first time in a while.
Old times?
"I hope it is," Gibson said.
Rewind
Hudson's back: The Diamondbacks on Sunday welcomed back Daniel Hudson, activated after a stint on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. In his first start since April 18, Hudson pitched five innings in the no-decision, allowing six hits and two runs. He struck out three, walked one and uncorked a wild pitch.
"I know you could tell he wanted to go out and shut them out, and he expected to do so," manager Kirk Gibson said.
Hudson said he felt good but admitted he threw too many pitches in his final inning, the fifth. Overall, he threw 83 pitches, 52 for strikes.
"I don't know if it was a pitch count or what, but I felt like I could go back out there for the sixth,'' Hudson said. "But there's no reason to try and push it. First start back. It's a positive step for me to go out there and throw as many strikes as I did and have as good command as I did early on. I just have to take it one step at a time, throw a bullpen in a couple days and get ready to go."
Big double play: The Diamondbacks flirted with disaster in the sixth. With a 3-1 lead, Milwaukee loaded the bases with one out. Gibson turned to right-hander Bryan Shaw, who escaped with one pitch.
With Arizona's defense drawn in, Nyjer Morgan hit a ground ball to short. Willie Bloomquist fired to catcher Henry Blanco at home for one out. Blanco then threw to first for an inning-ending double play. For some reason, Morgan turned to look over his shoulder while running, which cost him.
"I don't know what he was looking for," Blanco said. "He probably thought that I never would've made the throw. ... But we got him. It worked out for us pretty good."
Hill warming up: Second-baseman Aaron Hill is in a good place. With three hits Sunday, Hill is 9 of 13 (.692) over his past four games.
View from the press box
Was Sunday's win the start of something? It seems like fans and media have searched for one all month. A few false starts have surfaced. Big wins followed by sloppy losses. One step forward, two steps back. This one felt different because of Daniel Hudson, another key player back from the disabled list. That could mean something or it could simply mean the Diamondbacks are officially out of excuses. As manager Kirk Gibson said: "Time will tell."
Up next: San Francisco Giants
Update: The Diamondbacks travel to San Francisco, the start of a six-game trip that includes three games in San Diego. Sunday, the Giants secured their second winning road trip of the season with a 3-2 win over the Marlins. They went 4-3 on a seven-game trip, staying in second place in the NL West. The Giants are without 3B Pablo Sandoval, on the 15-day disabled list with a wrist injury. He hasn' t played since May 2. OF Melky Cabrera, however, has been on a tear. With four more hits Sunday, Cabrera is hitting .369 with four home runs and 25 RBIs. In May, he is hitting .426. C Buster Posey also has driven in 25. The Diamondbacks are 4-2 against San Francisco this season, but have lost two in a row.
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