Diamondbacks 3 - 4 Padres
Final
  for this game

Cantu's homer helps Padres beat Diamondbacks

May 9, 2011 - 12:17 AM

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San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Jorge Cantu hit a three-run home run to help lift San Diego over Arizona, 4-3, in the finale of a three-game series at Petco Park.

Jason Bartlett knocked in the other run for the Padres and Aaron Harang earned the win in seven innings of work. Harang (5-2) allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while fanning two in San Diego's fifth win in its last eight games.

"Overall, you know, I liked the fact I thought his [Harang] stuff got better as the game went on. I saw the fastball velocity climb," Padres manager Bud Black said.

Joe Saunders (0-4) took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three in six innings. It was Arizona's third defeat in five games.

The Padres jumped out to an early four-run lead in the first after Chris Denorfia led off with a single, stole second, and then came home on a Bartlett double. Then, after a Ryan Ludwick groundout, Chase Headley worked a walk and Cantu followed with a three-run shot to left field.

"It was unfortunate, obviously, to give up four runs in the first. I put us in a jam early on, but I battled back, put up some zeroes, and tried to keep us in it the best I could," said Saunders of his performance.

Arizona answered in the second with a Josh Wilson double that scored Melvin Mora, and a Joe Saunders single that plated Wilson to make the score 4-2.

The D-Backs' best chance to do more damage came in the eighth off of reliever Mike Adams. After he got lead-off hitter Ryan Roberts to hit a weak grounder back to the mound, Justin Upton doubled, and Miguel Montero followed with a single to put men on first and third.

Xavier Nady then smoked a ball into the left-center field gap, but Cameron Maybin made a running grab as he tumbled to the ground. Upton was able to score on the sacrifice, but it could have easily tied the game. Mora then struck out to end the inning and allow the Padres to maintain a one-run lead.

Heath Bell entered in the ninth and allowed a two-out walk to pinch-hitter Russell Branyan before striking out Chris Young to end the game and earn his eighth save.

Game Notes

Arizona out-hit San Diego by a 10-6 margin...San Diego finished their six-game homestand with a 3-3 record...Arizona continues their nine-game road trip Tuesday at San Francisco...San Diego starts an eight-game road trip Monday at Milwaukee.






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