Diamondbacks Spoil Debut Of New Astros Manager

The Houston Astros continue to be the rest of the National League's fodder, even when they change managers. The Arizona Diamondbacks exploded for five runs in the fourth inning off Astros starter Armando Galarraga and coasted to a 8-1 win and three-game series sweep at Minute Maid Park Sunday, spoiling the debut of new Astros manager Tony DeFrancesco.

Aaron Hill hit a pair of home runs as part of his three hits, scored three times and drove in two in support of starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (11-10), who allowed one run on five hits and struck out seven. The Diamondbacks head back to Phoenix to open a 10-game homestand with a 62-59 record, still very much alive in the NL West race at 4 1/2 games out of first place.

The D-backs will play 24 of their final 41 regular-season games at Chase Field, with 15 of those 41 against the teams they trail in the division, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. So the opportunity is there to make a push.

On Sunday, the Diamondbacks hit well off a former teammate. Armando Galarraga has had a fairly nondescript major-league career, but no matter what he does he'll always be remembered for his near no-hitter that was lost on a blown call.

Galarraga wasn't close to a no-no on Sunday. And the Diamondbacks ended up winning four of six on the road trip to St. Louis and Houston,

Diamondbacks Vs. Astros Final Score: Arizona Completes Sweep, Blows Out Houston 8-1

The Arizona Diamondbacks completed a three game sweep of the Houston Astros on Sunday, winning by a final score of 8-1.

The Diamondbacks used a fourth inning offensive onslaught to propel themselves to victory. Second baseman Aaron Hill started the inning with a solo homer, which was followed up with RBIs from center fielder Chris Young, third baseman Ryan Wheeler, starting pitcher Ian Kennedy and right fielder Gerardo Parra.

The Astros posted their lone run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Diamondbacks scored twice more off an RBI single from catcher Miguel Montero and made it 8-1 after Hill hit his second homer of the day (17th on the season).

Kennedy picked up the victory after allowing five hits and one earned run in six innings. He also struck out seven but did give up five walks.

The Diamondbacks will return home for a four game series against the Miami Marlins beginning on August 20.

Stick with this StoryStream for scores, news and more from the Diamondback series against the Astros. For all things Diamondbacks, head over to AZ Snake Pit. For the Astros perspective on things, check out The Crawfish Boxes.

The Special Connection Between Chris Young And His Hometown Will Be Missed

Diamondbacks vs. Astros: Game 3 Preview, Probable Pitchers, Game Time, TV Schedule

Looking to sweep the weekend series against the Houston Astros, the Arizona Diamondbacks send Ian Kennedy to the mound Sunday to start the final match of a three-game set at 11:05 a.m. PT on Fox Southwest.

The Diamondbacks have found themselves caught in the middle of the Astros' managerial storyline, as Houston fired manager Brad Mills, hitting coach Mike Barnett and first-base coach Bobby Meacham following Saturday's game.

Arizona has taken all five meetings between the two teams this season, and has won eight straight against the Astros overall dating back to 2011. The Diamondbacks used a nine-run fifth inning in Saturday night's contest to put away Houston, with Aaron Hill's three-run homer powering the team's outburst.

Here are today's starting lineups:

Arizona Diamondbacks:

1. Gerardo Parra RF
2. Aaron Hill 2B
3. Jason Kubel LF
4. Paul Goldschmidt 1B
6. Chris Young CF
7. Stephen Drew SS
8. Ryan Wheeler 3B
9. Ian Kennedy RHP

Houston Astros

1. Jose Altuve 2B
2. Scott Moore 3B
3. Brett Wallace 1B
4. J.D. Martinez LF
5. Tyler Greene SS
6. Brian Bogusevic RF
7. Brandon Barnes CF
8. Jason Castro C
9. Armando Galarraga P

For more on the Arizona Diamondbacks, visit AZ Snake Pit.

Diamondbacks Vs. Astros Final Score: Nine Run Inning Leads To 12-4 Arizona Win

At the end of the fourth inning, the Diamondbacks were trailing the Astros 3-1 in the second game of their three game series. Nine runs for Arizona in the fifth quickly put the game completely in their control.

Eight consecutive batters got on base to start the top of the fifth inning, beginning with a lead-off double by Gerardo Parra and finally ending with pitcher Patrick Corbin striking out for the first out of the inning. By then, plenty of damage had already been done.

A pair of solo home runs in the seventh and eighth inning by Ryan Wheeler and Chris Young, respectively, added two more runs to the Diamondbacks total and preserved Corbin's fifth win of the year.

The win was the third consecutive for the Diamondbacks and the second in a row against the Astros, the MLB's worst team. The three-game series will conclude Sunday with a third game beginning at 2:05 p.m. ET.

Stick with this StoryStream for scores, news and more from the Diamondback series against the Astros. For all things Diamondbacks, head over to AZ Snake Pit. For the Astros perspective on things, check out The Crawfish Boxes.

Diamondbacks Vs. Astros: Game 2 Preview, Probable Pitchers, Game Time, TV Schedule

The Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Houston Astros Friday night, looking to make it two in a row against Houston after winning Game 1 of the three game series 3-1. Patrick Corbin (4-4, 3.41 ERA) is starting for the Diamondbacks, facing off with Houston's Jordan Lyles (2-9, 5.47 ERA). Corbin has looked strong since his latest stint in the big leagues began Aug. 1, going 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in his last three starts, allowing two or fewer runs in each start.

Corbin will face a team perpetually struggling on offense; the Astros are 26th in the league in batting average, 24th in on-base percentage and 27th in runs. He should have plenty of support. The last time the Diamondbacks saw Lyles, they took him for ten hits and eight runs over 5 2/3 innings.

Game Time: 4:05 p.m. PT

Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX

Television Coverage: Fox Sports Arizona

Streaming Coverage: MLB.tv

Stick with this StoryStream for scores, news and more from the Diamondback series against the Astros. For all things Diamondbacks, head over to AZ Snake Pit. For the Astros perspective on things, check out The Crawfish Boxes.

Diamondbacks Vs. Astros Final Score: Wade Miley K's Five in 3-1 Win

Rookie left-hander Wade Miley picked up his 13th win and struck out five while walking zero in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

Allowing eight hits over six innings, the hurler did enough to allow the bullpen to take over and finish the win.

The offense waited until the fifth inning to open up the scoring, plating two runs, the first coming off a squeeze play by Miley that scored Gerardo Parra from third base. Chris Young lined a double off the left field wall to score the second run of the evening and put Arizona up 2-0.

Aaron Hill hit a double off Astros' reliever Fernando Martinez with one out and then scored on another double by Paul Goldscmidt.

Arizona only needed six hits to generate enough offense to prevail.

Jason Kubel Scratched From Friday's Lineup With Neck Ailment

Jason Kubel has been scratched from Friday's lineup against the Houston Astros due to what the team's official Twitter feed is calling a "stiff neck."

Kubel, who also missed last night's exhilarating ninth inning comeback victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, is being replaced in left field by Gerardo Parra. Arizona Republic beat writer Nick Piecoro is reporting that the 30-year-old outfielder hopes to be back into action tomorrow for game two of the series.

Kubel has been a key cog in the Diamondbacks lineup this season, batting .276 with 25 HR and 77 RBI after coming to the desert from Minnesota. Second baseman Aaron Hill will replace Kubel in the three hole tonight against lefty Dallas Keuchel after manager Kirk Gibson elected to move Justin Upton to that position for last night's matchup.

It is possible Gibby might decide to give Kubel some extended rest with the caliber of opponent they're playing this weekend. And that might not be the worst idea ever as Kubel has only been batting .190 (4-21) in the past week.

For all your latest Diamondback news, head over to AZ Snake Pit.

Diamondbacks Vs. Astros: Series Preview, Pitching Probables And More

Wade Miley seeks to bounce back from his rough outing last week in game one against the Houston Astros.