The Arizona Diamondbacks escaped with a narrow 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday evening, a night in which ace Ian Kennedy started strong but eventually gave up two runs in his six innings. He eventually got his twelfth win, helped by nine strikeouts. The win was his fourth in a row, matching the team’s current win streak.
But the D-backs had another hero — the same one they’ve had throughout their streak. Justin Upton’s hitting lately has been ridiculous. In Wednesday night’s game, Upton added two home runs, including a missile into the third deck at Petco Park, and brought his average up to .303. He has had a hit in each of his last eight games, hitting 17-for-30 during the span.
Xavier Nady added a two-run homer in the seventh inning to round out Arizona’s offense.
Closer J.J. Putz, in his first real action since coming off the Disabled List after missing 20 games, got the save with relatively little drama.
The D-backs have won eight of 12 games since the All-Star Break and are now 10 games over .500 for the first time this season, but have been unable to gain any ground in the National League West, thanks to the continued stellar play of the San Francisco Giants, who beat Cole Hamels and the NL-leading Philadelphia Phillies earlier on Wednesday. The Giants maintain a three-game lead in the division.
For more coverage of the Arizona Diamondbacks, head over to SB Nation’s D-backs blog, AZ Snake Pit.