D-backs looking for series sweep of Giants

Easter Sunday should be interesting. With a win, the Diamondbacks will
have done something that was virtually unthinkable a season ago — beat
the division rival San Francisco Giants eight times in a row, dating back to
last season.

In their last seven meetings, which all took place at Chase Field, the D-
backs have outscored the Giants by a total of 28 runs.

For the first two games of their season-opening series, the D-backs have
been dominant against the Giants, recording back-to-back 5-4 wins. Both
Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson managed to outduel their respective
opponents and the D-backs’ offense has grabbed a first inning lead in both
games.

Josh Collmenter is looking to overcome the cobwebs of spring and
complete the sweep. In six starts, Collmenter was 0-4 with a 9.95 ERA this
spring. He walked as many as he struck out, and allowed opponents a .325
batting average.

For the Giants, Matt Cain, who recently signed a colossal contract
extension, will look to salvage a win. Cain’s spring was almost opposite of
Collmenter’s. In six starts, the seven-year veteran tallied four wins and a
2.10 ERA, striking out 26, while walking just four.

Series notes:

• Nearly half of the D-backs’ 17 series hits have been for extra bases.

• If the first two games count (they do), Chris Young’s spring wasn’t flukey.
He’s 3-for-7 with four RBIs so far this season, with a home run and a drive
off the centerfield wall that would have been an easy home run at Salt River
Fields.

• Also, Chris Young is fine after being drilled by a Santiago Casilla fastball
Saturday. Contrary to popular belief, he was hit on his right forearm — not
on
his right hand. “It got plenty of meat,” Young said of being hit.

• Both of Kirk Gibson’s 2-hole hitters have homered at least once in the
first two games of the season.

• Jason Kubel is hitless as a Diamondback. He has grounded out three
times and struck out twice.

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