Ian Kennedy is not playing as well as he did last season. In that regard, he joins many (most) of his Arizona Diamondbacks teammates. Kennedy managed just five innings with six runs allowed on eight hits. Instead of the staff ace extending a rare two-game winning streak, Kennedy got shelled by the Kansas City Royals.
Of course, it's hard to blame Kennedy when the offense made Bruce Chen look like Justin Verlander (6.1 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 SO, 2 BB). Apparently, having Chris Young back in the lineup isn't a silver bullet after all.
The Royals got to Kennedy for one run in the second inning off a Chris Getz RBI single. They score two more in the third, another in the fourth and a couple more in the fifth before Ian was sent to the showers. The pen (lefty Mike Zagurski) gave up another in the sixth just to keep the Royals scoring streak alive.
The D-backs finally broke up the shutout in seventh inning with a minor rally started by a Paul Goldschmidt double. Ryan Roberts doubled in Goldy and then scored himself off a Willie Bloomquist single. Aaron Hill's double-play ball ended the threat.
Wade Miley (4-1, 2.52), who's been the Snakes most consistent starter, takes the hill Sunday against the Royals Nathan Adcock (0-1, 2.51). That day game starts at 11:10 a.m. Arizona time and will be on Fox Sports Arizona.
For more on the slumping Diamondbacks, visit AZ Snakepit.