Inside the Box: Saunders shuts down Padres
Jul 27, 2011, 3:14 AM | Updated: 4:33 am
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the
box score and
provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go
Inside the Box for July
26, 2011: Diamondbacks 6, Padres 1
The Good:
Starter Joe Saunders was dominant throwing a complete game only giving up six hits and one run while lowering his ERA to 3.63 in the process.
Saunders has continued to get better and better as the season has worn on giving Arizona three solid starters with Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson.
Offensively for the D-backs, Justin Upton continued his hot streak hitting his 18th home run of the season in the sixth inning.
Kelly Johnson and Willie Bloomquist each had three hits in the game.
The Bad:
Not much went wrong in this game for Arizona but a couple of rookies struggled.
Colin Cowgill, making his Major League debut, went 0-4 on the night.
Recent call-up Brandon Allen also went 0-4 dropping his average to .125 as he continues to struggle to hit big league pitching.
Allen needs to start producing or the team might be looking for yet another first baseman.
Saunders had a chance for the complete game shutout but gave up a home run to Jesus Guzman with two outs in the ninth inning.