Kubel, Kennedy lead Diamondbacks past Reds

10:19 PM, Jul 18, 2012   |    comments
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print
  • - A A A +

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Jason Kubel returned to hit two home runs, Ian Kennedy struck out seven in eight innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks rolled to a 7-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night.

The Diamondbacks gave Mat Latos his first loss in exactly three months after knocking the righty around for five runs in just 4 2/3 innings.

Kubel, who was dealing with a tight hamstring, hit home runs off Latos (7-3) in his first two at-bats since Saturday, a two-run blast in the first inning and a leadoff shot in the fourth.

The Diamondbacks had scored just eight runs in their previous five games prior to Wednesday, but have now won two of the first three games in this four-game set.

Kennedy (7-8) was much better than he needed to be, allowing a run on eight hits without walking a batter to go 3-0 in his three career starts against the Reds.

Latos hadn't lost since April 18 at St. Louis, going 7-0 in 15 starts. But he allowed six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in this one and has given up seven runs in 9 2/3 innings in his last two outings.

The Reds have lost two of three on the heels of a six-game winning streak and gave up sole possession of first place in the NL Central. The Pirates beat the Rockies earlier Wednesday and have tied them.

The Sports Network