Ian Kenndy saved his best game of the season for his 20th win. After struggling in his last attempt when he allowed four early runs, Ian came back in this start and dominated from start to finish. He went eight innings and allowed just one run and struck out 12 including the last six batters he faced.
"I was tired of getting questions about (win number 20). I'm really happy to have done that," Kennedy said after the game. He was very excited about his performance in the game especially considering he had a poor warm up session in the bullpen.
Kennedy's teammates greeted him in the club house with a standing ovation in appreciation for his accomplishment. Manager Kirk Gibson was very proud of his young pitcher saying, "He just took it to a whole other level...Ian certainly deserve all the credit he'll get."
The offense didn't get much going against the Pittsburgh Pirates but Justin Upton's broken-bat solo home run in the sixth was enough to get it done. He said after the game the ball hit the barrel of the bat and he somehow was able to get it out despite the handle breaking off in his hands. The shot just barely cleared the wall before being intercepted by a fan. After review, the umpires ruled it gone.
"When the bat breaks, I didn't think it was going to even get close to that far," Upton said.
The Dbacks had five hits and one walk in the game.
Kennedy's final line for the night was eight innings pitched, one hit, one walk, no runs, 12 strikeouts. The win keeps Kennedy in contention for the National League Cy Young Award.
The only hit allowed went to opposing pitcher, Jeff Karstens, a friend of Ian's from days in the minor leagues.
J.J. Putz came on to close the game in the ninth with Kennedy having thrown 113 pitches with 76 for strikes.
With the win and a Brewers loss, the D-backs are now one game behind Milwaukee in the race for home field advantage and the magic number to clinch the NL West is now four.
For more on the game, visit AZ Snake Pit.