Hill, Pollock homer as D-backs top Padres
PHOENIX -- The D-backs scored two runs in the first three innings Sunday and held on for a 2-1 victory against the Padres to split the four-game series at Chase Field.
D-backs second baseman Aaron Hill hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning to give Arizona an early 1-0 lead. A.J. Pollock's homer in the next inning extended the home team's advantage to 2-0.
Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko drove in his team's run with a double in the sixth.
Video: SD@ARI: Gyorko's RBI double puts Padres on the board
The Padres played with a lineup more reminiscent of 2014 than the one they have fielded thus far this season. And last year's team was the worst hitting team in the Major Leagues.
"We had our chances," Padres manager Bud Black said. "We had the bases loaded a couple of times, runners on first and second, and couldn't get the runs in. We just couldn't get the big hit."
Arizona right-hander Daniel Hudson was charged with two hits in 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his first start since 2012. Padres starter Andrew Cashner gave up two runs on four hits in seven innings. He walked none and struck out six.
"All of the pitchers gave us what we needed," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "We knew we were going with the bullpen and Daniel started off with an unbelievable job. I think he just got a little tired, but he was electric to start."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Padres had opportunities: They had a lot of them in the final three games of the four-game series. The Padres had the bases loaded with one out in the fourth, but rookie callup J.C. Ramirez came in and replaced D-backs starter Hudson to strike out Gyorko and get Alexi Amarista on a grounder to second. They had the bases loaded in the sixth after scoring once and Casher ended the inning with a fielder's choice grounder. And then again in the eighth with runners on first and second and one out, Amarista's double-play grounder took them out of another inning.
Video: SD@ARI: Ramirez strands the bases loaded in the 4th
Welcome back, Hudson: Hudson made his first start since 2012 and struck out four of the first six batters he faced. He pitched three scoreless innings, but ran into trouble in the fourth when he walked Wil Myers, gave up a single to Justin Upton and walked Will Venable to load the bases with the D-backs up, 2-0. He would not face another hitter and was rescued when Ramirez retired the next two batters. More >
Video: SD@ARI: Hudson fans Spangenberg to start the game
Live and die by the long ball: Cashner's Mother's Day performance was blemished by the pair of homers he gave up to Hill (in the second) and Pollock i(in the third). Between Cashner and rotation mate James Shields, they gave up six homers this series at Chase, 19 total now on the season. Shields has been touched for 11 -- seven in his last two starts -- and Cashner eight. Cashner let up seven homers in 19 starts last season. More >
Video: SD@ARI: Cashner limits D-backs to two runs over seven
Pink Power: Several players on both teams wore pink in honor of Mother's Day and Breast Cancer Awareness on Sunday at Chase Field. Hill used a pink bat to hit a home run in the second inning to give Arizona an early 1-0 lead. More >
QUOTABLE
"I think we're seeing Cash being more like Cash. His fastball, change combination was much better today. He mixed in a couple of sliders. But I think overall his stuff played much better today," -- Black on Cashner's performance
"I've been in big situations in Triple-A so in my mind it was not that big. I was just a little nervous to be back in the bigs in front of all these people and making my D-backs debut." -- D-backs reliever Ramirez, who entered the game with the bases loaded and would go on to earn the first win of his big league career
TO OBSTRUCT OR NOT TO OBSTRUCT
There was unusual call in the fourth inning when D-backs shortstop Nick Ahmed was called for obstruction when San Diego first baseman Wil Myers brushed past him and tumbled to the ground on his way from second base to third. The play was discussed by the umpires on the field, and Myers, who had advanced to third base, was sent back to second base.
Video: SD@ARI: Myers called back after running into Ahmed
WHAT'S NEXT
Padres:The Padres have an off-day on Monday prior to opening a two-game interleague series in Seattle against their natural rivals. Ian Kennedy (2-1, 5.03 ERA) is scheduled to get the start against James Paxton (0-2, 5.08 ERA).
D-backs: The D-backs will play host to the first of three games against the Nationals on Monday at Chase Field. Josh Collmenter will pitch for Arizona against Washington's Max Scherzer.