SAN DIEGO, April 13 (UPI) -- Ian Kennedy struck out nine over six innings Thursday and the Arizona relief corps was almost perfect in bringing the Diamondbacks a 3-1 win over San Diego.
Kennedy (2-0) has started the 2012 campaign just as he performed a year ago, during which he went 21-4 with an ERA of 2.88.
He allowed five hits and a first-inning run, helping Arizona improve to 5-1.
The three Arizona relievers gave up only a walk and added four strikeouts. J.J. Putz recorded one of those strikeouts in the ninth while picking up his fourth save in as many appearances.
Aaron Hill singled in an Arizona run to tie it in the fifth, Jason Kubel had an RBI double to give the Diamondbacks the lead in the sixth and Chris Young added a homer in the eighth.
The loss went to reliever Micah Owings (0-2), who gave up the go-ahead run in the sixth after replacing starter Anthony Bass.
Bass, in only his fourth big league game, was removed after throwing 88 pitches through 4 1/3 innings.
