D-backs beat Padres for Third Spring Win

The Arizona Diamondbacks finally got the pitching outing they were looking for from one of its starters yesterday.  That starter was Daniel Hudson, who threw three perfect innings in his second spring start.  He struck out three batters and retired the other six hitters he faced five of them by inducing ground balls.

Hudson improved his spring ERA to 3.60 and his WHIP to .80.  Hudson’s second start was definitely the best of the D-backs pitchers outings.   Back-up catcher Henry Blanco also looked good in the spring outing hitting a two-run blast off San Diego Padre starting pitcher, Tim Stauffer in the second inning.

Other bright spots in the win include Gerardo Parra getting two hits, Cody Ransom getting an RBI double and Rusty Ryal drove in a run on a fielder’s choice ground ball.

Parra continues his torrid spring and making his case to be a starter in the D-back outfield by upping his batting average to .333, with a .391 on-base percentage with a home run, two RBIs and five runs scored.  Parra is tied for the fifth-highest batting average on the team, trailing fellow outfielders Chris Young and Justin Upton.

Ryan Roberts is also solidifying his starting spot at third base this spring, by leading the team with six RBIs and three home runs and a .250 average.  The only person close to competing against Roberts for third base is prospect Ryan Wheeler who has a .333 average with a .400 on-base percentage.  If Wheeler could cut down on his strikeouts, he has five so far this spring, he could be a real contender for the third base position.  For the time being Roberts has the starting position locked down.

Up next for the Diamondbacks is a game against the Cleveland Indians today in which Joe Saunders will get his second start of the spring.  Saunders will look to improve on his first start of the spring in which he allowed two runs on five hits  in two innings of work.

Bryan Shaw is also slated to get into the game out of the bullpen.  Shaw gave up three runs on three hits in two innings of work last time he pitched and will look to improve as well.  With the improvement Hudson showed in his spring start hopefully the other starting pitchers will begin living up to their potential and getting ready for a run at the NL West crown.

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