Diamondbacks 5 - 11 Braves
Final
  for this game

Kennedy returns from suspension to face Braves

Jun 29, 2013 - 2:23 PM (Sports Network) - Arizona right-hander Ian Kennedy returns from his 10-game suspension to face the Atlanta Braves this afternoon in the continuation of a three-game series at Turner Field.

Kennedy served his penalty for his role in a brawl between the Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers on June 11. Kennedy, 28, received the harshest punishment. He plunked Yasiel Puig and Zack Greinke, with the latter setting off the benches-clearing melee. The length of the suspension was the longest issued to a pitcher since Kansas City's Runelvys Hernandez got 10 games in 2005.

Kennedy has gone 0-1 over his last three starts with his last victory coming June 1 at Wrigley Field in a 12-4 triumph against the Chicago Cubs. Kennedy pitched one game after the brawl, June 16 at San Diego when he allowed one run over six frames in a no-decision. He then dropped his appeal and started serving his suspension.

Kennedy is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four career games against the Braves. That includes a win on May 15 at Chase Field.

Tim Hudson, who counters for Atlanta, has owned the Diamondbacks in his career as evidenced by a 7-1 mark and 1.86 ERA in 10 starts. But that lone defeat came to Kennedy earlier this year. Hudson surrendered eight hits and five runs in five innings of that 5-3 loss.

That loss for Hudson has been in the middle of an 0-6 stretch over his last nine starts. His last win came May 5 against the Mets. Hudson's most recent start came a week ago at Milwaukee when he limited the Brewers to a pair of runs over six innings in a 2-0 loss. The Braves haven't scored more than two runs in any of his last five starts.

It was Chipper Jones night on Friday at Turner Field as the Braves retired the uniform No. 10 of the eight-time All-Star and 1999 NL MVP. He retired following the 2012 season.

After the pregame ceremony, Julio Teheran worked six scoreless innings in Atlanta's 3-0 win.

Teheran (6-4) gave up just four hits and walked one while striking out 10 to earn the win. Craig Kimbrel worked a scoreless ninth to notch his 23rd save of the season.

Andrelton Simmons hit a solo homer while Justin Upton and Reed Johnson added one RBI apiece for the Braves, winners in three of their last four games.

"It is always important to start off a series with a win. That gives you two games to work with. The idea of every series is to win two out of three. We got one out of the way, now we just have to come back tomorrow and win," Kimbrel said.

Randall Delgado (0-2), who spent the last two seasons with Atlanta before he was shipped to Arizona in the Upton deal, gave up two runs on eight hits and three walks over six frames to absorb the loss.

"It happens," Delgado said of the lack of run support. "Everyone has been playing well and making plays at the right time. We just lost today. It is alright, we just have to keep thinking about winning tomorrow."

The Diamondbacks have dropped four of their last five games.

The teams have split four meetings this season.






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