Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ian Kennedy continues to struggle on the mound, with Thursday night’s outing against the St. Louis Cardinals being no different. Kennedy pitched the worst game of his seven-year career while 2013 continues to be his worst start to a season.
The 28-year-old surrendered a career-high 10 earned runs on a career-worst 13 hits in a mere four innings of work. He did manage to strike out four batters, but he also allowed three home runs and two walks. Not to mention, it took him 99 pitches to finish four innings.
Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson was forced to leave Kennedy in the ball game, even though it was obvious the starter did not have his stuff. The problem was Gibson was not prepared to warm up any relievers considering how fast the eight-run fourth inning got out of control.
“I didn’t have a choice,” Gibson said, according to Dbacks.com. “It happened quick. You wouldn’t expect it to get away from him but it did. You don’t ever want to leave anybody in that long.”
Thursday night was by no means a reoccurring performance for Kennedy, who has yet to come close to his dismal outing this season. With that being said, he has allowed at least four earned runs in a single contest six times in 2013. He gives up plenty of hits and has a hard time keeping men off the bases. Him faltering could not come at a worst time considering the Diamondbacks are trying to maintain their two and a half game lead in the National League West.
Kennedy is 3-4 with a 5.72 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings this season.
