Fourth of July Game Thread: Padres @ Diamondbacks

Ian Kennedy will try to get the Dbacks back on track and avoid the sweep today in the finale of this three-game set. In his last start, he gave up three runs (two unearned) in seven innings against Milwaukee, striking out seven batters and issuing only one walk. It was one of his strongest starts of the season and he will try to build off that success. He has pitched against us once this season, lasting six innings in San Diego and allowing only one run while striking out nine to get the win.

Hopefully we will have better luck against Kennedy tonight as we attempt to win our fifth straight game and complete a sweep for just the second time this season. Jason Marquis is set to make his 13th start of the season, and sixth start for the Padres, after having a rough outing against the Rockies last Friday. He gave up six runs (one unearned) in six innings. He is 1-4 on the year as a Padres, and has a career 0-4 record at Chase Field, so he will try to improve on both of those records today.

Bud Black decided to have some... uh, fun... with the lineup today.

#Padres lineup 7/4: twitter.com/PadsCast/statu…

— Andy Masur (@PadsCast) July 4, 2012

Carlos Quentin, Will Venable, and Yasmani Grandal will all be on the bench today. Also, Alexi Amarista will make a start in left field. Okay, Buddy. We'll see how this goes.

Hope all our Gaslamp Ballers in the States are having a happy and safe Fourth of July! Let's hope our boys give us even more reason to celebrate tonight!

GO FRIARS!! KEEP THE FAITH!! GET THE SWEEP!!