Coming into Game 2 of the NLDS, Arizona Diamondbacks starter Daniel Hudson had a reputation for struggling in the first inning. Apparently, Hudson did not want to disappoint in that regard. This time, he gave up a two-run homer from Ryan Braun to getting the D-backs in the hole early to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Hudson managed to make his way through 5 1/3 innings after giving up another two runs in the third, with the score tied 4-4. However, his relief — in the form of Brad Ziegler — promptly put the game out of reach for his team. As part of the five runs he gave up, Ziegler balked, Jonathan Lucroy used a safety squeeze to get the first run on the board, and a Ziegler throwing error kept things moving. Three straight singles put the Brewers up 9-4 — a lead they would hold the rest of the game.
Solo home runs from Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Young highlighted Arizona’s offensive output, and Justin Upton added a two-run homer of his own. Normally, one would call that a successful day for the D-backs better hitters, but Arizona’s otherwise stable pitching made things much harder on Sunday afternoon.
The D-backs continued to have problems with potential MVP candidates Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, who have combined for six RBIs and two home runs in the first two games of the series. Fielder, who was 6-for-27 against Arizona during the season, has hit 3-for-8 so far in the NLDS.
The series comes to Arizona on Tuesday evening, with Josh Collmenter on the mound against Shaun Marcum. By dropping both games in Milwaukee, Game 3 becomes a potential elimination game. For a team that is not considered deep in its starting pitching, going 0-2 with its 1-2 punch of Ian Kennedy and Hudson may end up being insurmountable.
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