Diamondbacks Offense Goes Quiet, Can't Support Strong Kennedy Start In 2-1 Loss

The Arizona Diamondbacks dropped the series-decider to the Washington Nationals as the previously hot offense was silenced by the arm of Ross Detwiler. The Snakes managed only three hits and one run against the Nationals after coming in with a streak of double-digit hits in five of their last six game.

Ian Kennedy was sharp as well but suffered his first loss in 13 games (he's now 9-1 over that span). Kennedy went seven innings with four hits and one walk allowed with four strikeouts and two earned runs. His ERA actually dipped with this start to 3.23 on the season.

Kennedy didn't help himself by moving a runner to third with a balk in the second inning. He then gave up a ground ball to the right side that recorded both the second out and the first run of the game.

In the sixth, Ian Desmond (hero of Wednesday's game) doubled and then was bunted over to third. He was driven home by rookie phenom Bryce Harper who drove the ball to left field for another two-bagger.

That one-run explosion came a half-inning after the D-backs scored their lone run. Willie Bloomquist walked ahead of a double by Aaron Hill.

The D-backs did strand 10 runners who were scattered with the three hit, three walks and an error. The Snakes were making contact all game (only three strikeouts) but the vast majority ended up being caught in the air with 10 of the 27 outs falling in the glove of right fielder Jason Werth.

With the loss, Arizona is back at .500 (13-13) and fall to 3-9 in one-run games. Hopefully, that means they are close to going on a winning streak.

Next up the road trip heads to the Big Apple for it's final stop against the Mets. Wade Miley is scheduled to face Dillon Gee on Friday at 4:10 p.m. Arizona Time.

For more on the D-backs, head over to AZ Snakepit.

Arizona Diamondbacks Bullpen, A 2011 Strength, Has Been 2012 Weakness

Desmond Hits Two Run Homer Off Putz To Blow Saunders' Quality Start

It's official folks; the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen has lost it. Closer J.J. Putz blew his second save of the season Wednesday allowing a two run walk-off homer from Ian Desmond and giving the Nationals the 5-4 victory. Joe Saunders was in line for his third win of the season thanks to another quality line (6.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 K) and Ryan Roberts also did his part, contributing two RBIs as he slowly comes out of his season-long slump.

The Diamondbacks seemed to be cruising after Craig Breslow got out of a huge jam with two runners on and no outs in the bottom of the eighth. But it would all begin falling apart when Bryce Harper stroked his second double of the game to lead off the last frame.

Yet it seemed like Putz settled down after the phenom's big hit as he struck out both Wilson Ramos and Rick Ankiel. The following batter he would see would be his last though with Desmond's fly ball carrying just far enough to end the game.

Edwin Jackson didn't have the best game against his old team allowing four runs in six innings but it was balanced out with Harper having the best game of his young career (3-4, two runs, one RBI). Upton also hit his third home run of the season while Paul Goldschmidt continued his white-hot ways with two hits of his own.

With the loss, the Diamondbacks have now failed to earn the W in eight consecutive games decided by one run or less. Ian Kennedy (3-0) will take the ball tomorrow for Arizona to face off against Ross Detwiler (2-1) in the series final at 4:05 PM.

Wade Miley Wins NL Rookie Of The Month: Not The D-backs Rookie Pitcher You Would Expect

Diamondbacks Defeat Nationals 5-1 Behind Strong Start From Cahill

Trevor Cahill turned in his best performance as a Diamondback Tuesday evening and led the Diamondbacks to a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals. Cahill pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing only one run on six hits.

Cahill shutout the Nationals through seven innings before getting into trouble in the eighth inning. After retiring Wilson Ramos to start the inning, Cahill allowed three consecutive hits to National hitters, the last an RBI single from Ian Desmond.

Bryan Shaw relieved Cahill after the Desmond single and shut the door on the Nationals, striking out Rick Ankiel to end the inning. David Hernandez pitched a scoreless ninth to finish the game for the Diamondbacks.

Cahill was efficient all night, as he only threw 94 total pitches in seven plus innings of work. Cahill only walked one, struck out five batters and threw first pitch strikes to 23 of 28 batters he faced.

The Diamondbacks collected 13 hits on Tuesday evening, including three from Paul Goldschmidt. Goldy went 3-4 and scored one of the Diamondbacks' five runs. Justin Upton, Jason Kubel and Miguel Montero each collected two hits on evening, with Kubel raising his season batting average to .338.

John McDonald continued his strong play tonight, going 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Upton, Montero and Aaron Hill all contributed with RBI's tonight.

Game two of the series is scheduled for tomorrow with a first pitch at 4:05 p.m. Joe Saunders is scheduled to pitch for Arizona against former Diamondback Edwin Jackson.

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Diamondbacks Vs. Nationals: Series Preview, Pitching Probables, Missing The Aces

Fresh off of a four game series against the Miami Marlins in which the Arizona Diamondbacks offense starting showing some life and took three of the four games. Now they move on to play a talented Washington Nationals team. Washington sits currently tied with the second-best record in the National League and has a small lead in the NL East over the Atlanta Braves.

Washington's starting pitching has been nothing short of phenomenal so far. Four of their five starters have an ERA under 2.00 and Edwin Jackson, who has the highest ERA in the rotation, is at a solid 3.16.

Arizona is (sort of) fortunate that they they will miss two of the aces -- Stephen Strassburg and Gio Gonzalez.

Offensively, it is a different story for the Nats. As a team they are only hitting .226, third worst in all of baseball. Arizona is right in the middle of the pack.

Here are the pitching probables for the three-game set:

Tuesday, 4:05 PM: Trevor Cahill (1-2, 3.70) vs. Jordan Zimmerman (1-1, 1.33)

Wednesday, 4:05 PM: Joe Saunders (2-1, 0.90) vs, Edwin Jackson (1-1, 3.16)

Thursday, 4:05 PM: Ian Kennedy (3-0, 3.38) vs. Ross Detwiler (2-1, 1.64)

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Arizona Diamondbacks Schedule: East Coast Road Trip Finishes Up This Week

A look ahead at the rest of the D-backs 10-game roadie.