A closer look: Kubel homers twice in win

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but
we
all
know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a
baseball
game. So, we will give you a closer look, providing you
with
the
analysis, quotes and notes from the D-backs’ August 9
win against the Pirates.
Final
score: Diamondbacks 6, Pirates 3.

The good:

Jason Kubel homered twice and drove in four runs for the D-backs, giving him 25 long balls and 77 RBI on the season.

Newcomer Wil Nieves also went yard, and second baseman Aaron Hill had three hits. Chris Johnson continued his hot-hitting ways with a 2-for-4 effort.

Over on the mound starter Joe Saunders was solid. He tossed seven innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs. He walked none and struck out three.

The bad:

Stephen Drew went hitless in five at bats, Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Young did the same in four.

Noted:

The Diamondbacks finished their 10-game road trip with a 6-4 mark.

He said it:

“I watched [Kubel Wednesday] and he needed a mental day more than anything,” manager Kirk Gibson said. “I could just tell. I played him a lot. He went through that streak of hitting all the home runs and then just was swinging and missing a lot…(But) lefties this year are hitting better off (Pittsburgh starter Wandy Rodriguez), and there’s always the chance for Kubel to hit it out of ballpark. It worked out for us.”

Coming up:

The D-backs return home to face the NL East-leading Washington Nationals. Trevor Cahill (9-9, 3.76 ERA) will square off with Stephen Strasburg (12-5, 2.97 ERA)

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