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 But all the Diamondbacks wanted to talk about after their 6-1 win
at Petco Park on Wednesday was the return of right-hander Daniel
Hudson.
Hudson, 27, threw 13 pitches in a perfect eighth inning in his first
appearance since June 26, 2012. Hudson had two Tommy John surgeries
in the interim -- making him only the fourth pitcher to perform in a
major league game after having two elbow reconstruction procedures.
"Even if I go out tomorrow and it blows again playing catch, it was
worth it," Hudson said of his battle to return. "I wish I had more
words. I don't have a lot to say. I'm kind of at a loss. Even after
I reached the dugout, I really couldn't sit down."
Hudson entered the game after Collmenter had pretty much finished
off the Padres. Collmenter gave up only one run on five hits in
seven innings. He ran his season record against the Padres to 3-0,
with a 0.87 ERA.
Collmenter (10-7) walked two Padres and struck out three and allowed
only one hit over his final four innings.
"It's a weird delivery," Padres catcher Rene Rivera said of
Collmenter. "He's right on top of you and his fastball is anything
from 85-88 (mph). And the changeup is good."
"I was trying to pitch to contact," said Collmenter, whose thoughts
quickly turned to Hudson. "It was tremendous to watch Daniel.
Everyone in the dugout was on their feet."
"Everyone was pulling for Hudson," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson
said. "He threw well. He had good velocity. He'll take three days
off and we'll see."
The game was tied entering the fifth when Arizona broke it open with
three runs on two hits. The inning included two plays at the plate
and an interference that might have cost the Padres more runs.
Padres right-handed starter Andrew Cashner (2-7) had retired 11
straight hitters when a walk to Diamondbacks left fielder Alfredo
opening the fifth -- the only walk Cashner allowed -- triggered the
bizarre inning.
"I thought the fifth inning was tough and could have gone either
way," Cashner said. "The whole inning was really weird -- one of the
more challenging things I've had."
After third baseman Cliff Pennington struck out, shortstop Didi
Gregorius doubled into the right-field corner to bring up Collmenter
with runners at second and third with no outs.
The pitcher grounded to rookie second baseman Cory Spangenberg, who
threw to the plate. Marte, however, reached the plate ahead of the
tag of Rivera to break a 1-1 tie. The play was upheld on appeal by
Padres manager Bud Black.
"If Collmenter hits that a little harder, it's not close at home,"
Cashner said.
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The inning spiraled downward from there.
Arizona center fielder Ender Inciarte grounded to first baseman Yasmani
Grandal, whose throw home trapped Gregorius in a rundown between third
and home. But Gregorius scored, making it 3-1, when third baseman
Yangervis Solarte mishandled the throw from Rivera.
The third unusual play of the inning came when Arizona second baseman
Chris Owings grounded to short and Inciarte made contact with Padres
shortstop Alexi Amarista. Owings was called out. The next hitter, right
fielder David Peralta, singled to score Collmenter from third, making it
4-1.
Peralta, who tripled home the Diamondbacks' first run in the first with
a liner to right, finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
Cashner allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk.
Cashner has missed 15 starts during two stints on the disabled list with
forearm pain and shoulder soreness. Considered the ace of the Padres'
staff coming out of spring training, he has not won a game since April
16 and has lost six straight decisions.
The Padres' lone run came on a second-inning double by left fielder Seth
Smith.
NOTES: Arizona is moving to a six-man rotation and will start RHP
Randall Delgado on Thursday and push LHP Vidal Nuno back to Friday. ...
Padres 1B Tommy Medica is 2-for-35 with 15 strikeouts since being beaned
on Aug. 9. ... The September call-up of C Adam Moore will allow the
Padres to use C Yasmani Grandal more at first base over the final 25
games. ... Arizona RHP Brad Ziegler, who gave up a walk-off homer to
Padres rookie INF Cory Spangenberg Tuesday, is listed as day-to-day with
a sore knee.
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