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Young propels Diamondbacks past Marlins

Aug 17, 2007 - 3:20 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Chris Young made quite the impression on Thursday.

Young led off the game with a home run and fell a triple shy of the cycle as the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a 5-4 victory over the Florida Marlins.

Young's blast off Florida starter Daniel Barone was his 22nd of the season, tying Travis Lee for the franchise record for home runs by a rookie, set in 1998. It was also the sixth time Young has led off a game with a homer this season.

"I get out more times than I go deep," Young said. "I get deep in the count and just try and have a good at-bat - and sooner or later I get a good pitch. I go up there with a plan, I'm just trying to get something started.

"It feels great. You understand it gets some kind of momentum going, so you're just trying to go up and see pitches. ... (You're looking for) any kind of hit. A home run is something extra."

Arizona manager Bob Melvin agreed.

"It makes for a good feeling right away," Melvin said.

After Mike Jacobs' two-run homer highlighted Florida's three-run first inning, Arizona responded with its second consecutive two-run frame to take a 4-3 lead.

Young belted a double to deep left-center, sending pitcher Livan Hernandez to third with one out in the second. Orlando Hudson singled to right to plate Hernandez, and as Eric Byrnes struck out swinging, Young scored on a passed ball.

Mark Reynolds added a solo shot in the third for Arizona, which won its ninth series in its last 10 since the All-Star break.

Florida's Hanley Ramirez responded with a solo blast - his 22nd homer of the season - but the Diamondbacks still enjoyed a 5-4 lead.

"There's nothing in this game this man (Ramirez) can't do," Hudson said. "He's putting up some monster numbers against top pitching. ... He'll win two or three (MVPs) before he's done."

Hernandez (9-7), who allowed four runs on nine hits in seven innings, was victorious for the fourth time in his last six outings. He also improved to 12-7 against the Marlins, whom he won a World Series with in 1997.

"Livan did his thing, got better it seemed as the game went along," Melvin said. "He's got a history of doing that. You can get to him early, he settles down and he pitches better as the game goes along - and he did that tonight."

Hernandez won despite being sick with a stomach ailment that caused him to vomit after the first inning. He still appeared less than 100 percent in the clubhouse after the game.

"The trainer gave me something to drink and everything was better after the first inning," Hernandez said. "It's no excuse for the home run (by Jacobs) or whatever."

Brandon Lyon pitched the eighth and Jose Valverde earned his major-league leading 37th save by recording the final three outs. The 28-year-old Valverde has already doubled his career high of 18 saves, which he accomplished last season.

Valverde induced Ramirez to pop out to first to end the game with two runners on.

"The MVP versus the best closer in baseball," Hudson said. "I was saying to Hanley, 'Come on, we need you to get out. After we leave here, you can go 40-for-40 for all I care. ... It was two great players going against each other and fortunately we came out on top."

Arizona was aided by some great defense that turned three double plays.

"(Losing) is a little more tough when you've got runners on base late in the game like we did," Marlins outfielder Josh Willingham said. "We hit the ball on the nose and that's all you can really do in that situation. It's just one of those things where we didn't necessarily do anything bad. We just didn't get a break tonight.

Barone (0-1) allowed five runs on seven hits in four innings to take the loss. Barone made his major league debut last Friday, pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing three runs, but did not figure in the decision of the Marlins' 4-3 win over the New York Mets.

"I missed a lot of spots, tonight," Barone said. "I didn't get ahead. I felt fine. I wanted to get out there and get through five (innings) but was unable to do that again. Hopefully better luck next time."