Diamondbacks 2 - 0 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Burroughs' first homer since '05 lifts D-backs over Nats

Aug 24, 2011 - 5:41 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Now, that's an unlikely hero.

Sean Burroughs hit his first home run in more than six years to lift the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Washington Nationals, 2-0, in the second test of a four-game series.

Burroughs' two-run blast in the seventh inning was his first since April 30, 2005. Coincidentally, that homer came against Arizona when he was as a member of the Padres.

Ian Kennedy (16-4) also played a key role in snapping Arizona's six-game skid. The right-hander gave up six hits during seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight and walked two while becoming the National League's first 16- game winner.

The Diamondbacks, who lead the Giants by two games in the NL West, made a trade before the game, acquiring second baseman Aaron Hill and infielder John McDonald from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for second baseman Kelly Johnson.

The news was not all great on Tuesday for the D-backs. Outfielder Justin Upton left the game with a left elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch.

Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann (8-11) allowed two runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.

"It's happened a couple times this year, where there's always one pitch at the end of a game that is a double or home run, and they get a couple of runs," Zimmermann said. "In a close ballgame, you can't give those hits up."

The start of the game was delayed by 21 minutes because of an earthquake that rattled the East Coast earlier in the day. The epicenter of the quake was near Mineral, Virginia -- about 36 miles northwest of Richmond and 88 miles southwest of Washington, DC.

The first real scoring chance of the game came in the top of the fourth. Gerardo Parra led off with a single to center and Upton was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced a base on Miguel Montero's flyout, but Zimmermann got Ryan Roberts to ground out and retired Lyle Overbay on a fly ball to keep it a 0-0 contest.

The Nationals put men on second and third with two outs in the home half, but Laynce Nix struck out swinging.

Washington's best chance to score came in the fifth. With the bases loaded and one out, Ryan Zimmerman struck out looking and Michael Morse went down swinging.

Burroughs put Arizona on the board in the seventh. Chris Young worked a one- out walk and scored when Burroughs crushed Zimmermann's offering into the right-field seats.

"I was basically looking dead red fastball, try to get it out front, get my foot down early and try to stay up the middle," Burroughs said. "It was just one of those things. I wasn't trying to hit a home run, I never, obviously, ever do."

David Hernandez tossed a scoreless eighth and J.J. Putz worked a perfect ninth for his 31st save.

Game Notes

Arizona and Washington split a four-game series in the desert from June 2-5...Kennedy's 16 wins are the most for a D-backs pitcher since Dan Haren had 16 in 2008...Washington fell to 5-3 on a 10-game homestand...Zimmerman has reached base safely in 29 straight games...The Diamondbacks transferred pitcher Jason Marquis to the 60-day disabled list...The Nationals went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight.






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