Diamondbacks vs. Angels
Both teams have been weekend shutout victims as the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels complete a three-game series in Anaheim on Sunday. Ervin Santana retired the first 20 Arizona batters during a dominating one-hitter in Los Angeles’ 2-0 victory on Saturday, which came one day after Arizona’s Trevor Cahill and two relievers blanked the Angels 5-0. Los Angeles has won six of its last eight games, while the Diamondbacks have won nine of 13.
Mark Trumbo’s two-run homer in the first inning was all the offensive support Santana needed, but Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick each had three hits. Kendrick is 10-for-23 over the last six games and displaying signs that he’s ready to emerge from a troubling first-half slump. Justin Upton had Arizona’s only hit Saturday with a sharp single in the seventh. Miguel Montero walked in the ninth and was the only other baserunner allowed by Santana. The Diamondbacks slipped back to a game below .500 and remain 8 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports West
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (5-6, 4.32 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (1-0, 1.38 ERA)
Kennedy was roughed up by the Texas Rangers in his last start when he gave up six runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. He won his previous two outings by allowing just one run and striking out 19 batters in 13 2/3 innings against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies. Kennedy has allowed five runs in three innings over two career appearances (one start) against the Angels.
Richards is making his third start of the season and sixth of his career. He took a no-decision in his last outing when he allowed one earned run and five hits in five innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Richards defeated the Seattle Mariners on June 5 for his first major-league victory.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Los Angeles used Albert Pujols as the designated hitter Saturday after Pujols reported shin pain one day after fouling a ball off his leg.
2. The Diamondbacks have been shut out in three of their last 11 games after not being blanked in their first 54 games of the campaign.
3. Angels ace Jered Weaver (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday as the team contemplates when to activate him from the disabled list.