A closer look: Kubel hits 3 HRs, D-backs smash Astros

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’ July 21 win over the Astros.
Final
score: Diamondbacks 12, Astros 3.

The Good:

Jason Kubel strikes out in his final at-bat, missing the chance at becoming
the 17th player in major league baseball history to hit four home runs in a
game. He has 20 home runs this season, the fourth time in his career he’s
reached the 20-homer mark. The Diamondbacks have had a player hit
three home runs in a game nine times by seven players, most recently by
Chris Young on September 6, 2009 at Colorado.

Kubel’s six RBIs, pushing his season total to 70, were more than enough for
Wade Miley who pitched seven innings and struck out a career-high nine
batters. Miley won his 11th game of the season, setting a team rookie
record.

The Bad:

The Astros pitching staff has a 13.50 ERA (24 ER in 16 IP) through the first
two games of the series. They become the first team to allow the
Diamondbacks to reach double figures in runs scored in back-to-back
games.

He Said It:

“[I] put some good swings on some balls, got some balls up,” Kubel said.
“The balls that I was missing yesterday I wasn’t missing them tonight; just
happy with how everything turned out. It was a fun, fun win for us.”

Noted:

Takashi Saito made his Diamondbacks debut allowing an unearned run in
the eighth inning. He is the first player of Japanese descent to play for the
D-backs.

Coming Up Next:

The D-backs go for the three-game series sweep Sunday with Josh
Collmenter (1-2, 3.90) taking the mound against Jordan Lyles (2-6, 5.29).
Collmenter is making his eighth start of the season.

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