Arizona Diamondbacks defeat San Diego Padres 3-2 – MLB Update
The Arizona Diamondbacks showed immense patience to defeat the San Diego Padres 3-2 in a low-scoring game at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, September 9.
The Diamondbacks extended their lead to two-games in the four-game series to cement their chances for the playoffs, refuting the San Francisco Giants a chance to defend their World title, helped by Daniel Hudson’s complete game effort.
Hudson tested his valour against a not-so-strong Padres side and came out victorious, leaking just two runs and five hits in his spell of 106 pitches. He struck-out seven batters in this stretch which saw his ERA plunge to 3.41, giving him his 16th
win of the season. Hudson’s win-loss record now stands resolute at 16-9, making him an obvious choice to be in the rotation for the postseason.
The Padres registered a lead over the D-backs in the third inning when Alberto Gonzalez completed his run off Will Venable’s RBI effort before Jason Bartlett doubled the lead for the visitors in the sixth inning to put pressure on Arizona.
Diamondbacks have a composed line-up and they showed their strength when Justin Upton hammered the ball 459-feet down the left flank to reduce the deficit before Chris Young brought the game in balance with a run in the seventh.
The Padres replaced Mat Latos after the Diamondbacks equalled the score but his replacement, Chad Qualls, was not efficient enough to halt the scoring spree of Arizona who scored the decisive third-run in the eighth inning to deny the Padres of what could
have been an impressive win in a dreadful season for San Diego.
Aaron Hill scored the decisive run for the D-backs to reduce Qualls to 6-7 for the season, creating doubt over his ability to close the game neatly in pressure situations. Padres are now 62-83 for the season and have virtually no chance of qualification
to the postseason. This will be a good time for them to inject the prospects to the line-up.
Diamondbacks have emerged strongly after the midseason break, improving their home record to 44-26 for the season. The remaining two games are now crucial for them in the build-up to the playoffs.
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