D-backs outslug Padres with three home runs
SAN DIEGO -- Welington Castillo, David Peralta and Jake Lamb hit home runs Sunday as the D-backs salvaged one game in their series with San Diego, defeating the Padres, 6-4, at Petco Park.
"It was a day of home runs," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "We did a good job getting six runs and those are tough games when you've lost two and they feel pretty good about themselves. We were able to hold them off, it was good."
San Diego pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne allowed the home runs to Castillo and Peralta and reliever Frank Garces allowed a two-run home run to Lamb in the sixth inning.
The Padres had three home runs of their own -- one by Matt Kemp in the first inning and two by Derek Norris, including a two-run shot in the fourth inning.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Loving the long ball: The D-backs broke out of their recent offensive slump. Castillo's three-run homer in the second opened the team's scoring. Peralta added a solo shot the following inning. Lamb broke out of a slump of his own with his two-run home run that pushed the lead to 6-3 in the sixth. Lamb entered the game batting just .200 in 16 games since coming off the disabled list on June 6. More >
Video: ARI@SD: Lamb's two-run shot extends D-backs' lead
"I feel really good," Castillo said. "I'm good because I've been getting playing time. The more I play the better I'm going to feel and the better I'm going to hit because I'm going to see more pitches and stuff like that."
Increased production: The D-backs have gotten better offensive production from their catchers in June after acquiring Castillo from Seattle earlier this month and promoting Jarrod Saltalamacchia from Triple-A Reno at the end of May. Castillo kept that going with his three-run homer to left in the second inning. He has hit four of his six home runs with the D-backs and three in his last seven games.
"Welington, I'll tell you what, he's hit a few key home runs for us," Hale said.
Big pop: A year ago, Norris had 10 home runs in 385 at-bats playing for the A's. On Sunday, he connected for homer Nos. 10 and 11 (in 275 at-bats, no less). The first came in the fourth inning off D-backs starting pitcher Chase Anderson. He added a solo shot in the sixth inning.
Video: ARI@SD: Norris belts second homer of the game
Spark at the top: Kemp continues to look like a nice fit at the top of the lineup. He had a home run and a single and nearly had another hit. In his last four games batting leadoff, Kemp has eight hits, including two home runs. More >
"I haven't really been worried about it," Kemp said of batting leadoff. "I just keep grinding. I just think about getting a good pitch and putting a good swing on it."
Video: ARI@SD: Kemp leads off with homer to left field
QUOTABLE
"He's a warrior. That's how he goes about it. All-Star stuff. Let's get him in there [All-Star Game]." -- Padres interim manager Pat Murphy said of Norris' candidacy for the All-Star Game
Video: ARI@SD: Murphy discusses Norris, Kemp and team's loss
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
All 10 runs in Sunday's game came by the home run -- three for each team. That's not even the most at pitcher-friendly Petco Park this season. On April 25, the Padres and Dodgers combined for seven home runs, four by the Dodgers.
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: The D-backs open a seven-game homestand with a three-game set against the Dodgers, starting Monday at 6:40 p.m. MST. Allen Webster (1-1, 6.46) takes the mound for his fourth start of the season. The right-hander has struggled recently, giving up 11 runs and walking seven over his last two starts.
Padres: The Padres are off Monday before opening a two-game series against the Mariners at 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday. Ian Kennedy (4-6, 5.09) gets the start. After struggling early in the season, Kennedy has a 2.40 ERA in five starts this month.
Watch every out-of-market regular season game live on MLB.TV.