Kemp's 8th-inning double lifts Braves past D-backs
PHOENIX -- Matt Kemp hit an eighth-inning, bases-loaded double to drive in two runs, and a third run scored on an outfield error on the play, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday at Chase Field.
With Arizona in front 4-2, Dansby Swanson singled to open the eighth inning off Jake Barrett (1-2), and Ender Inciarte singled with one out. Freddie Freeman walked with two outs.
Kemp followed with an opposite-field liner into the right field corner that Mitch Haniger bobbled at the fence as the bases cleared.
Adonis Garcia had three hits and scored twice, and Kemp, Swanson and Tyler Flower had two hits apiece for Atlanta, which had lost 10 of 12.
Swanson had a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, his first career RBI in his sixth game since being promoted last week. He was the first pick in the 2015 draft by Arizona before being traded to Atlanta in the Shelby Miller deal at the winter meetings.
Jake Lamb had two doubles and drove in two runs, and Yasmany Tomas hit a two-run single before leaving with mid-back stiffness in the eighth inning for Arizona (52-74).
Six Atlanta pitchers limited the Diamondbacks to five hits. Arizona, which had won six of nine, fell to 22-41 at home.
Right-hander Jose Ramirez (2-0) pitched a scoreless seventh inning for Atlanta (46-80). Mauricio Cabrera struck out three on 100, 102 and 101 mph fastballs in the eighth before Jim Johnson picked up his 11th save with a scoreless ninth.
Freeman, who walked and scored twice, had an 11-game hitting streak broken.
Garcia singled and Freeman walked with one in the first inning before Nick Markakis singled home Garcia. Flowers' double knocked in Freeman to make it 2-0.
Atlanta starter Rob Whalen walked the bases loaded with two outs in the third inning before Tomas grounded a single into to drive in two and tie the game. It was Arizona's first hit.
After Whalen hit Welington Castillo to load the bases, Lamb hit a ground-rule double into the right field corner for a 4-2 lead. Lamb was in a 2-for-48 (.042) slide.
Garcia doubled in the fourth inning and scored on Kemp's sacrifice fly to make it 4-3.
NOTES: Arizona CF A.J. Pollock is expected to be activated Friday, manager Chip Hale said, and he will get plenty of time the rest of the season. Pollock was fourth in NL in WAR (7.4) last season but has missed this season with a fractured elbow incurred three days before the start of the season. ... Atlanta has used 14 different starting pitchers this season, tied with the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres for the most in the majors. ... The third game of the series Wednesday will feature the staff No. 1s, Atlanta RHP Julio Teheran (3-9, 2.90 ERA) and Arizona RHP Zack Greinke (11-4, 4.21 ERA). ... RHP Shelby Miller will make his next start Thursday, but the Diamondbacks are still deciding if it will be at Triple-A Reno or back with Arizona, manager Chip Hale said.