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Kennedy pitches gem as Diamondbacks shutout Phils

Apr 26, 2011 - 6:13 AM Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Ian Kennedy recorded his first-career shutout, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks handle the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-0, in the opener of a three-game series.

Kennedy (3-1) gave up just three hits and struck out 10 batters for the Diamondbacks, who started a 10-game homestand on Monday. It was also the first complete game of Kennedy's career.

"It's been surreal," Kennedy said. "Not expecting her to come when my Allie went into labor, then flying in from New York, which is just about the farthest place I could be, then watching that life-changing experience...It was just the cherry on top to do that (complete game). I get emotional just thinking about it. The day after she was born -- my little Easter baby."

Chris Young and Gerardo Parra homered for Arizona, which snapped a four-game skid. Xavier Nady had an RBI single.

Cliff Lee (2-2) gave up four runs on five hits over seven innings to take the loss. He also struck out 12 and walked one for the Phillies, who saw a season- best five-game winning streak come to an end.

I was locating the ball well, mixing speeds, they ambushed a couple of first pitches and hit homers, considering how Kennedy pitched, that was the game.

"I was locating the ball well, mixing speeds, they ambushed a couple of first pitches and hit homers, considering how Kennedy pitched, that was the game," Lee said.

Kennedy got into a groove after giving up a one-out double to Placido Polanco in the first inning. The right-hander retired nine straight before giving up an infield single to Jimmy Rollins with one out in the fourth.

Arizona scored all the runs they would need in the third. Ryan Roberts led off with a single and crossed the plate on Young's homer to center.

Parra's homer to left in the fifth made it a 3-0 game.

Philadelphia's last hit came in the sixth. With two outs, Polanco singled to center. Polanco advanced to second on a balk by Kennedy, but Rollins grounded out.

The Diamondbacks tacked on a run in the home sixth for a 4-0 margin. Justin Upton worked a one-out walk, stole second and scored on Nady's base hit.

Kennedy retired the final 10 batters in order.

Game Notes

Philadelphia took four of six matchups from the Diamondbacks last year...The Phillies had won six in a row on the road...Michael Stutes, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, pitched a perfect eighth for Philadelphia in his MLB debut...At 15-7 in April, the Phillies are two victories shy of tying the club mark for wins in the month (17 in 1993)..Arizona third baseman Melvin Mora (sore/swollen left foot) missed the game...The Diamondbacks selected the contract of infielder Josh Wilson from Triple-A Reno and placed infielder Willie Bloomquist on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.