Arizona got on the board first in the top of the fourth inning when Paul Goldschmidt blasted a 456 foot home run to deep left-center field to put the D-backs on top 1-0.

The Cards would respond quickly in the bottom half of the inning when St. Louis third baseman David Freese hit a two-run home run to left field to score Carlos Beltran and put the Cards on top 2-1. They would add another run in the bottom half of the fifth inning when Allen Craig hit a solo shot of his own to center field, extending the lead to 3-1.

August 15, 2012; St. Louis, MO. USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese (23) hits a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

The D-backs would fight back in the top of the sixth inning, but were only able to score one run and cut the lead to 3-2 when Goldschmidt hit into a double play to score Aaron Hill from third, but killing Arizona’s shot of mounting a rally.

Rafael Furcal would crush any hopes of Arizona coming back in the bottom of the inning with a two-run RBI triple to deep right field, scoring two, and putting the game out of reach at 5-2.

St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright provided a strong start for the Cards, allowing only five hits and two earned runs through six strong innings of work. He picked up his 11th victory of the season with the win. The St. Louis bullpen provided three strong innings of relief, not allowing any hits or walks, while striking out three.

Arizona will send starter Trevor Cahill to the mound tomorrow for game three of the series in an attempt to avoid the sweep.

Arizona Diamondback starter Ian Kennedy delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in Phoenix on May 8, 2012. Kennedy struggled in the game, giving up six earned runs in seven innings of work. (Image: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE)

Kennedy will have repeated nightmares about this game and the one person in those nightmares will be outfielder Carlos Beltran.  Beltran had a huge night, going two for four with all six Cardinal RBIs.  He hit a two-run homer in the first inning and smashed a  grand slam in the second inning.  Thanks to Beltran, the team has not missed Albert Pujols, and his bat in the lineup.

After those two innings, Kennedy was able to settle down and shut down the Cardinals the rest of the way.  He finished with this stat line, seven innings pitched, giving up six hits, six earned runs, walking two and striking out six batters.

The Diamondbacks were unfortunately held in check by former Cleveland Indian,  Jake Westbrook.  He did not allow a run in seven innings, gave up four hits, walked two and struck out eight.  The only run scored against the Cardinals was a run in the ninth off reliever Mitchell Boggs, when Miguel Montero doubled in Justin Upton.

This game highlights some of the things plaguing the team this young season.  The team is third in the league in strikeouts, with 242, trailing only the Chicago White Sox and the New York Mets.  It is something which improved last season, but the team seem to be reverting back to its old ways.  Both Jason Kubel and Upton have 28 strikeouts on the season, followed by Montero, Willie Bloomquist, and Aaron Hill, all over 20 strikeouts.

Other offensive disappointments have been the struggles of Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan Roberts.  Both were expected to have big seasons, but neither has lived up to the expectations.  Goldschmidt is hitting .232 with a mere four RBIs while Roberts is hitting a woeful .190.  Both players will have to step it up or Lyle Overbay and Cody Ransom will take over for the pair permanently.

The Diamondbacks will need to put it all together, even with it being early in the season, because you don’t want to fall to far behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the division lead.  The next month or two will be key in determining if they will still be in it.

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September 4, 2011; Anaheim, CA, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Jason Kubel (16) hits a single in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Outside of the mega-names like Pujols, Fielder, Reyes and Wilson, the 2011-12 offseason featured a mix bag of free agents of varying abilities.  In particular, it was incredibly difficult to rank the top free-agent outfielders.  Based upon free agent rankings by Hardballtalk.com the top free agent outfielders in order were Carlos Beltran, Michael Cuddyer, Josh Willingham and Jason Kubel.

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