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NL: Arizona finds offense
By The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 08, 2008 | No comments posted.
The celebratory Arizona crowd must have hardly recognized its NL West champion Diamondbacks.
These boys can sure hit now.
Mark Reynolds hit two of Arizona’s four home runs Monday night, and the worst-hitting team in the National League last year, routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-3 in its home opener.
“A lot of guys got some more time under their belts,” Reynolds said. “Everybody’s got more experience, and with that comes confidence, and you really see it in the results.”
Orlando Hudson had a two-run homer, and Chris Young added a solo shot and an RBI single as the Diamondbacks won their fourth straight. Reynolds and Young each have four home runs in Arizona’s seven games.
Reynolds has nine RBIs for a young team that learned a lot in their run to the NLCS last year, when Arizona had the NL’s best record but worst batting average.
“Offensively we’re starting to mature a little bit,” Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. “We have to keep it going, but the results early on here have been pretty good.”
Dan Haren gave up three runs — one earned — in six innings to get his first Arizona victory. Haren (1-0), acquired in a trade with Oakland in the offseason, allowed six hits, struck out five and walked none.
Dodgers first-year manager Joe Torre knew from his Yankees days what Haren can bring.
“He makes pitches when he has to,” Torre said. “I’ve seen him sharper, but the one thing about it is he may bend but he doesn’t break. He’s a very tough competitor.”
Jeff Kent drove in two runs with a homer and RBI single for Los Angeles.
The Diamondbacks unveiled their NL West champion banner, their fourth in the franchise’s 10-year history, in front of a capacity crowd of 49,057, then scored four runs by the time Loaiza threw his 11th pitch.
“I had the chills, I really did, running out there,” Haren said. “I was happy I was able to give a good performance, but I think tonight I’d really tip my hat to the hitters.”
Phillies 5, Reds 3
At Cincinnati, Pat Burrell hit two of Philadelphia’s four homers off Bronson Arroyo.
Jimmy Rollins and Geoff Jenkins also homered off Arroyo (0-1), who had never before given up more than three in a game.
Left-hander Cole Hamels (1-0) gave up five hits and three walks in seven innings. Brad Lidge, who came off the disabled list Saturday after recovering from knee surgery, gave up a run in the ninth before closing it out for his first save.
Cubs 10, Pirates 8, 12 innings
At Pittsburgh, Aramis Ramirez’s sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run during a two-run 12th inning in which the Cubs didn’t have a hit off rookie Evan Meek.
Former starter Jon Lieber (1-1) gave a depleted bullpen a big lift with three scoreless innings before Carlos Marmol finished up in the 12th for his first save since June 27, helping the Cubs win their third in a row.
Meek (0-1), the last remaining pitcher in the Pirates’ bullpen, walked five — two intentionally. The Cubs’ second run of the inning came on Mark DeRosa’s bases-loaded walk.
Rockies 2, Braves 1
At Denver, Matt Holliday hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth off Blaine Boyer (0-2), Aaron Cook pitched seven strong innings and Colorado snapped a five-game losing streak.
Matt Herges (1-0) got the victory in relief of Cook, and Manny Corpas got his second save of the season.
Marlins 10, Nationals 7
At Washington, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla and Robert Andino homered, and four Florida relievers combined for 5 2-3 innings of one-run ball.
Florida put up five runs against Tim Redding (1-1) in the third inning. All the scoring was unearned, because of shortstop Cristian Guzman’s throwing error.
Renyel Pinto (1-0) earned the win with 2 2-3 hitless innings. Kevin Gregg got the final four outs to earn the first save by a Marlins pitcher this season.
Padres 8, Giants 4
At San Francisco, Greg Maddux earned his 348th career win, Adrian Gonzalez went 4-for-5 with a homer and four runs, and San Diego spoiled San Francisco’s home opener.
Maddux (1-0) gave up one run and three hits in seven innings.
Matt Cain (0-1) allowed five runs — four earned — seven hits and five walks in 4 1-3 innings.
Astros 5, Cardinals 3
At Houston, Miguel Tejada’s two-run homer Kyle McClellan (0-1) in the bottom of the ninth gave Houston the win.
Ryan Ludwick’s two-out, two RBI double off closer Jose Valverde (2-0) tied it at 3 in the top of the ninth.
These boys can sure hit now.
Mark Reynolds hit two of Arizona’s four home runs Monday night, and the worst-hitting team in the National League last year, routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-3 in its home opener.
“A lot of guys got some more time under their belts,” Reynolds said. “Everybody’s got more experience, and with that comes confidence, and you really see it in the results.”
Orlando Hudson had a two-run homer, and Chris Young added a solo shot and an RBI single as the Diamondbacks won their fourth straight. Reynolds and Young each have four home runs in Arizona’s seven games.
Reynolds has nine RBIs for a young team that learned a lot in their run to the NLCS last year, when Arizona had the NL’s best record but worst batting average.
“Offensively we’re starting to mature a little bit,” Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. “We have to keep it going, but the results early on here have been pretty good.”
Dan Haren gave up three runs — one earned — in six innings to get his first Arizona victory. Haren (1-0), acquired in a trade with Oakland in the offseason, allowed six hits, struck out five and walked none.
Dodgers first-year manager Joe Torre knew from his Yankees days what Haren can bring.
“He makes pitches when he has to,” Torre said. “I’ve seen him sharper, but the one thing about it is he may bend but he doesn’t break. He’s a very tough competitor.”
Jeff Kent drove in two runs with a homer and RBI single for Los Angeles.
The Diamondbacks unveiled their NL West champion banner, their fourth in the franchise’s 10-year history, in front of a capacity crowd of 49,057, then scored four runs by the time Loaiza threw his 11th pitch.
“I had the chills, I really did, running out there,” Haren said. “I was happy I was able to give a good performance, but I think tonight I’d really tip my hat to the hitters.”
Phillies 5, Reds 3
At Cincinnati, Pat Burrell hit two of Philadelphia’s four homers off Bronson Arroyo.
Jimmy Rollins and Geoff Jenkins also homered off Arroyo (0-1), who had never before given up more than three in a game.
Left-hander Cole Hamels (1-0) gave up five hits and three walks in seven innings. Brad Lidge, who came off the disabled list Saturday after recovering from knee surgery, gave up a run in the ninth before closing it out for his first save.
Cubs 10, Pirates 8, 12 innings
At Pittsburgh, Aramis Ramirez’s sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run during a two-run 12th inning in which the Cubs didn’t have a hit off rookie Evan Meek.
Former starter Jon Lieber (1-1) gave a depleted bullpen a big lift with three scoreless innings before Carlos Marmol finished up in the 12th for his first save since June 27, helping the Cubs win their third in a row.
Meek (0-1), the last remaining pitcher in the Pirates’ bullpen, walked five — two intentionally. The Cubs’ second run of the inning came on Mark DeRosa’s bases-loaded walk.
Rockies 2, Braves 1
At Denver, Matt Holliday hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth off Blaine Boyer (0-2), Aaron Cook pitched seven strong innings and Colorado snapped a five-game losing streak.
Matt Herges (1-0) got the victory in relief of Cook, and Manny Corpas got his second save of the season.
Marlins 10, Nationals 7
At Washington, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla and Robert Andino homered, and four Florida relievers combined for 5 2-3 innings of one-run ball.
Florida put up five runs against Tim Redding (1-1) in the third inning. All the scoring was unearned, because of shortstop Cristian Guzman’s throwing error.
Renyel Pinto (1-0) earned the win with 2 2-3 hitless innings. Kevin Gregg got the final four outs to earn the first save by a Marlins pitcher this season.
Padres 8, Giants 4
At San Francisco, Greg Maddux earned his 348th career win, Adrian Gonzalez went 4-for-5 with a homer and four runs, and San Diego spoiled San Francisco’s home opener.
Maddux (1-0) gave up one run and three hits in seven innings.
Matt Cain (0-1) allowed five runs — four earned — seven hits and five walks in 4 1-3 innings.
Astros 5, Cardinals 3
At Houston, Miguel Tejada’s two-run homer Kyle McClellan (0-1) in the bottom of the ninth gave Houston the win.
Ryan Ludwick’s two-out, two RBI double off closer Jose Valverde (2-0) tied it at 3 in the top of the ninth.
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