Cashner's first homer makes Padres' win sweeter
PHOENIX -- San Diego right-hander Andrew Cashner made one of his dreams come true Saturday night.
Cashner remained unbeaten in his career against Arizona with a 12-3 victory at Chase Field, but it was first career home run that he will remember the most.
"That was pretty cool. Been dreaming about that my whole life," Cashner said.
Cashner (7-5) gave up three runs in six innings to improve to 3-0 in five career starts against the Diamondbacks. He struck out five and walked five, and got inning-ending double plays to preserve leads in the first and fourth.
"He's not a finished product. With' 'Cash,' I have high expectations for him and maybe a little unfairly, because this is his first year as a starting pitcher getting multiple consecutive starts in a rotation," San Diego manager Bud Black said.
"He made some pitches."
Chris Denorfia and Chase Headley also homered and Yonder Alonso had three hits and four RBIs for San Diego (47-58), which won for the fourth time in six games.
Denorfia, who also walked twice and scored three times, hit a two-run homer with two outs in the fourth inning to knock out Arizona starter Tyler Skaggs.Headley followed with his homer to give the Padres an 8-1 lead. It was the eighth homer of the season for each.
Carlos Quentin had two hits and two RBIs. The Padres collected nine hits but took advantage of eight walks, a hit batsman and two wild pitches.
Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run homer, his 23rd home run of the season, with two outs in the fifth for Arizona (54-50), which had won three of its last four. Goldschmidt leads the National League with 83 RBIs.
Miguel Montero homered and singled for Arizona, which had six hits after getting 17 in a 10-0 victory on Friday.
Skaggs (2-3) gave up three hits in 3 2/3 innings but walked five and hit a batter. Skaggs was optioned to Triple-A Reno after the game and manager Kirk Gibson said the Diamondbacks would recall a reliever on Sunday.
"After the fourth inning, they had four hits and eight runs. That is just tough going there," Gibson said.
Quentin doubled in a run in the first inning for a 1-0 lead, his ninth double in July, tying Headley for second most in the NL during the month.
Montero's ninth homer tied it in the second, and Skaggs lost the plate with two outs in the third inning. He issued four-pitch walks to Denorfia, Quentin and Jesus Guzman and hit Headley. The walk to Guzman forced in a run, and Alonso followed with a three-run double into the right field corner to make it 5-1.
"Once I walked Denorfia, after that I really couldn't throw a strike. It was really frustrating," Skaggs said.
Black said, "We knew that Skaggs could be a little variable with his command and control. Out of the chute he looked pretty good, but he wobbled a little bit and our guys were patient and it really paid off.
"Every game's unique, and this was a game that was won because we let the other guy falter."
NOTES: Cashner's streak of 49 2/3 innings without giving up a home run was snapped with Montero's homer in the second. It was the longest active streak among major league starters, according to Elias. ... Arizona LHP Patrick Corbin (12-1) will take an 8-0 home record into his start against San Diego on Sunday. He is tied with St. Louis RHP Lance Lynn (8-1) for second in the NL in home victories behind Washington RHP Jordan Zimmermann (9-2). Atlanta RHP Tim Hudson (4-0) is the other NL starter undefeated at home with as many as seven starts. Corbin is 2-0 against the Padres this year. ... Arizona 2B Aaron Hill (hamstring) was given Saturday off. He left Friday's game after three innings. With a travel day Monday, Hill also could have Sunday off. ... Arizona RHP Brandon McCarthy gave up two earned runs in six innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Reno on Friday. Gibson that he will take Skaggs' spot in the rotation start against Boston next weekend. McCarthy has been out since May 31 with right shoulder inflammation.
