Diamondbacks 8 - 7 Brewers
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D'Backs target sweep and first-ever win over Gallardo

Apr 7, 2013 - 1:46 PM

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(Sports Network) - Ian Kennedy eyes his second win in as many starts on Sunday when the Arizona Diamondbacks go after their first-ever three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.

But, if the Diamondbacks are going to break the brooms out, they'll need to do something they've never done and that's beat Milwaukee righty Yovani Gallardo, who's 6-0 with a minuscule 1.02 ERA in seven starts versus Arizona.

"He's got three 'plus' pitches, and when you command those pitches, you're going to do well against anybody," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Saturday. "Why certain players do better against certain teams is hard to say. Sometimes it's a matter of having a team that's more patient and you're able to get ahead with strikes, or it's a team that swings all the time.

"I know one thing. I know we need to see him good tomorrow."

Gallardo, though, struggled in his initial outing on Monday against Colorado, but escaped without a decision, as the Rockies reached him for three runs and 10 hits in five innings. in the Brewers' 5-4 win.

Kennedy, meanwhile was solid against St. Louis on Monday, holding the Cardinals to a pair of runs and five hits in seven innings.

"The pitching performance by Ian was awesome," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said after that victory. "I don't how else to explain it. He had everything working. Fastball spotted well, it was pumped up to 94. It was kind of the old Ian we saw a couple years ago."

Kennedy has faced the Brewers five times and is 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA.

On Saturday, Jason Kubel and Paul Goldschmidt both clubbed two-run homers and Aaron Hill added a solo shot as the Arizona rolled to a 9-2 win. Hill also had an RBI double and Gerardo Parra added two hits and an RBI for the D-backs, who have won four of their first five games this season.

Patrick Corbin (1-0) allowed two runs on eight hits over six innings to earn the win.

"Corbin was struggling early on, but kept them from adding on," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. "It is a good ballpark to hit in. We got some good pitches to hit and didn't miss them."

Jean Segura went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Alex Gonzalez also drove in a run for the Brewers, who have dropped four straight after an Opening Day victory.

Mike Fiers (0-1) allowed six runs on nine hits -- including two homers -- over five frames to absorb the loss.

"Commanding the ball is his big problem," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said of Fiers. "That could be from a lack of confidence, or getting out of rhythm with your delivery. Or both. We need to find out what the answer is to get him back on track."

The Brewers and Diamondbacks split six meetings last season, with each team taking two of three at home.






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