PHOENIX, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Ian Kennedy struck out 11 over 7 2/3 innings Thursday and the Arizona Diamondbacks inched closer to a division title with a 4-1 victory over San Diego.
Kennedy (19-4) took a shutout into the eighth inning and won for the 11th time in 12 starts. The Diamondbacks increased their lead over defending World Series champion San Francisco in the National League West to 71/2 games.
Arizona has built its big lead with 14 wins in 16 outings.
Paul Goldschmidt and Justin Upton both hit solo homers for Arizona and the Diamondbacks added two more runs in the seventh, when Kennedy scored on a fielder's choice grounder and Upton came in on a single by Miguel Montero.
The loss went to Cory Luebke (5-9), who allowed the two home runs and only one other hit over 5 2/3 innings.
J.J. Putz picked up his 38th save, allowing a leadoff single in the ninth before striking out two.
