Kennedy not overly concerned with allowing homers

ATLANTA -- No pitcher likes giving up home runs, and the Padres' Ian Kennedy is certainly no different.

But Kennedy, who is second in the National League in home runs allowed, isn't about to lose sleep over how many he allows in games where he feels he pitched well.

"Maybe if I'm missing my spots, it would bother me," said Kennedy, who is a fly-ball pitcher. "But it's something that's going to happen."

Such was case Friday when Kennedy allowed a solo home run to the Braves' Justin Upton in the fourth inning and later a two-run home run to Brian McCann in the inning. Those were home runs Nos. 24 and 25. He's allowed seven home runs in eight starts since being traded to the Padres on July 31.

Kennedy, who got a no-decision, thought he pitched well otherwise. He allowed three runs on five hits over six innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

"I felt pretty good about the way that I threw the ball," he said. "That's a tough lineup. That's a home-run hitting team. I felt the command of my fastball down was good. I threw a lot of fastballs, which helped my changeup."

Kennedy is 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA since joining the Padres. He's only pitched a combined 11 innings over his last two starts, though that's not his fault. He's been lifted for a pinch-hitter in each of the last two games after not topping 90 pitches each time.