The comeback kids struck again. Ryan Roberts gave Daniel Hudson a second chance with a game-changing three-run homerun in the fifth inning, and the young righthander took care of the rest, leading the Diamondbacks to a 6-4 victory over the New York Mets Saturday night at Chase Field.
The Diamondbacks blitzed the Mets early, scoring two quick runs off Mike Pelfrey in the opening inning. Ryan Roberts kicked the run off, nailing a double down the left field line. Justin Upton followed up by knocking a single to center that brought Roberts home. An ensuing Ronny Paulino throwing error allowed the All-Star to scamper to third base, and Miguel Montero took advantage by knocking the first pitch he saw to deep left for a sacrifice fly.
The momentum would be short lived, though, as the Mets quickly put runners on second and third to begin the top of the second inning. Ruben Tejada proceeded to smash a two-run double to right field that tied the game up at two runs apiece.
The D-backs' slide continued as the Mets tacked-on two more runs in the top of the fourth. Mike Baxter lined a triple to deep center that scored Ronny Paulino, and Pelfrey followed with a rare RBI-single to help his own cause and push the New York lead to 4-2.
Needing yet another comeback, the gritty Diamondbacks went back to work, opening the bottom of the fifth with a Gerardo Parra single that chased Pelfrey out of the game. Veteran righthander D.J. Carrasco came in for relief and immediately nailed Willie Bloomquist with an errant fastball. With men on first and second, unsung grit-master Ryan Roberts strolled to the plate and crushed a three-run shot into the left field seats to give the D-backs a 5-4 lead.
That would be all Hudson needed. The 24-year-old righted the ship and dominated the Mets with a dazzling performance, allowing just four hits over the next three innings. Closer J.J. Putz finished off the Diamondback win, pitching a perfect ninth inning for his 29th save of the season.
After recovering from the early trouble, Daniel Hudson (12-8) finished the night having given up four runs -- two earned -- over eight innings, while striking out four to record his 12th win of the season. The youngster also added to his impressive .327 batting average, knocking in an RBI single in the sixth inning.
With the San Francisco Giants' (65-55) Saturday win over the Florida Marlins, Arizona's latest come-from-behind victory maintains the club's two-game division lead. The Diamondbacks (67-53) conclude their three-game series against New York on Sunday afternoon, as Jason Marquis (8-6, 4.48 ERA) is scheduled to duel Chris Capuano (9-10, 4.51 ERA). First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. PT/4:10 p.m. ET.