MLB

• D-Backs off to franchise-best start after win over Padres

  
  

  Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Edgar Gonzalez tossed six strong innings and Arizona's offense exploded for nine runs over the final three frames, as the Diamondbacks downed the San Diego Padres, 10-3, in the second test of a three- game series at Chase Field.

  Gonzalez gave up three runs on four hits, with four walks and three strikeouts in a no decision for Arizona, which has reeled off four straight wins. Juan Cruz (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh to record the win.

  "It is a lot of fun pitching when we are scoring runs like this," Gonzalez said. "You still have to be focused every pitch, every inning but it is a lot of fun. The three runs were on three bad pitches. I need to throw with better command because if they don't hit those pitches, they don't get any runs but I did pitch better then last time."

  Justin Upton finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Eric Byrnes had one hit -- a two-run double -- to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. Stephen Drew had an RBI double and scored twice.

  Chris Young, who had his start pushed back a day due to a sore elbow, allowed two runs on three hits, with four strikeouts and three walks in a no decision for the Padres, who have dropped four in a row. Joe Thatcher (0-2) surrendered two runs on three hits in one inning of relief. Kevin Cameron was roughed up for six runs -- one earned -- on three hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning.

  Paul McAnulty and Brian Giles each homered for San Diego.

  "We have to play better," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "We have the players to play better, we have to do it. I think there is some power in our lineup but we left some guys on base. Getting that big hit with two outs is a big momentum lift for the club and we haven't come through in those situations."

  Giles crushed a two-run homer in the fifth to give the Padres a 3-1 lead, but the Diamondbacks engineered a comeback.

  Mark Reynolds ripped a two-out RBI single in the sixth to narrow the deficit to 3-2 and Arizona scored twice in the seventh to grab a 4-3 lead.

  Thatcher relieved Young at the start of the frame and Upton greeted him with a single. Drew followed with an RBI double to left that plated Upton and tied the score at three. Thatcher retired the next two batters, but Chris Young came through with a big two-out single to drive in the go-ahead run.

  The D-Backs erupted for six runs in the eighth to put the game out of reach. With the bases loaded and one out, Chris Snyder made it 5-3 with a sac fly to left. Jeff Salazar worked a walk to reload the bags and Young hit a grounder that eluded Khalil Greene, who was inserted into the game for defensive purposes, and rolled into left, which allowed two runners to score.

  Byrnes then lined a two-run double and scored when Orlando Hudson ripped a single to center. Conor Jackson grounded out to end the inning.

  The Diamondbacks grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the second. After Young retired the first two batters, Snyder worked a walk and scored when Gonzalez helped his own cause with a double to left field.

  In the fourth, Gonzalez hung a slider in the middle of the plate and McAnulty belted it into the seats in right, knotting the score at one. Game Notes

  At 13-4, the D-Backs are off to their best start in franchise history...San Diego left eight men on base, while the D-Backs stranded six...The D-Backs have outscored their opponents 31-6 over their last four wins...San Diego's Randy Wolf and Arizona's Randy Johnson are scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday...Attendance: 39,726.

  04/20 01:17:55 ET