Daniel Hudson, fresh off a horrible outing in his last start, had a shutout going until he gave up a game-tying solo home run to Pedro Alvarez in the seventh inning. He did his job, but against the Pirates bullpen that's proving to be highly potent and without a couple of big bats in the order, the Arizona Diamondbacks simply couldn't generate enough offense to pick up their starting pitcher.
The loss to the Pirates represents Arizona's second-straight series loss and their first two-game losing streak of the season.
The D-backs once again took an early lead and for the 10th time in 12 games put up a run in the first inning. This time it was a lead-off triple from Willie Bloomquist and an RBI single from Jason Kubel to record the Snakes' first strike.
With Chris Young and Justin Upton both on the shelf, the D-backs couldn't get any kind of rally going and lacked the long ball.
Arizona squandered a great opportunity in the sixth after Aaron Hill started the inning with a triple. Kubel struck out and after the Pirates intentionally walked Miguel Montero, Ryan Roberts grounded into a double play. Roberts also had an error on the day that he'd rather forget.
Hudson's game ended in the eighth inning after he gave up a couple of two-out hits. His line was an impressive six hits, two runs, three walks and five strikeouts over seven and two-thirds innings. Unfortunately, David Hernandez couldn't close out the eighth thanks to a Texas Leaguer from Neil Walker that landed between three Arizona fielders and gave the Bucs the lead.
"I had better command today of all my pitches. The ball felt better coming out of my hand. Tough loss," Hudson said.
Never a team to say die, Miguel Montero started the ninth with a single and was promptly replaced by Justin Upton who's sore thumb doesn't prevent him from running fast. Roberts completed his 0-4 outing with a strikeout which brought up Lyle Overbay who once again got the start in place of Paul Goldschmidt. Overbay lined to short and A.J. Pollock finished his first major league game with a ground out to close out the series.
The D-backs stay home for a series against the Atlanta Braves starting Thursday. Josh Collmenter will look for his first solid start of the season.
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