Diamondbacks 5 - 0 Marlins
Final
  for this game

Saunders, D-Backs blank Marlins

Apr 28, 2012 - 5:47 AM

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Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Joe Saunders tossed the third shutout of his career as the Arizona Diamondbacks blanked the Miami Marlins, 5-0, in the first of four straight games at Marlins Park.

Saunders (2-1) allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out four and also knocked in a run for Arizona, which snapped a two-game slide.

Miguel Montero had two hits and three RBI in the win.

"You always want to go out there and get the road trip off to a good start," said Saunders, whose team kicked off a 10-game trek that also includes games against the Nationals and Mets.

Carlos Zambrano (0-2) gave up three runs on 10 hits and two walks in the Marlins' sixth straight loss.

Arizona took the early advantage in the first inning after Justin Upton was hit by a pitch with two outs. Jason Kubel followed with a bloop single to shallow left field before Montero laced a base hit to center to bring home Upton. Kubel, though, was tagged out in a rundown between second and third on the play to end the frame.

The Diamondbacks then added to their lead in the second when they loaded the bases on Aaron Hill's leadoff single and consecutive walks by Lyle Overbay and Ryan Roberts.

Saunders then lifted a sacrifice fly to right filed to plate Hill, but after Willie Bloomquist singled to fill the bags again, Gerardo Parra went down swinging and Upton flied out to center to keep it a 2-0 game.

Hill's leadoff home run over the left-field wall in the sixth inning gave Arizona a three-run cushion.

Montero laced a two-run double into the left-center field gap in the ninth inning to finalize the scoring as Saunders did not allow a runner to advance past first base through the entire game.

"If they score two runs then we're down by 20. That's the way we feel right now," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said about his team, which has scored two runs or less in its last six games.

Game Notes

Kubel extended his hit streak to nine games and has now reached base safely in 14 straight contests...It was Saunders' seventh complete game and has first shutout since May 14, 2010...Miami grounded into three double plays....Hill has reached base safely in 15 straight games.






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