Arizona Diamondbacks 4, Houston Astros 9

After a zero in the first, Anthony Banda really struggled - a five-run second inning was followed by another crooked number, as the Astros rolled to an 8-0 lead by the middle of the fourth. That was the end of Banda’s day, as he went four innings, and was charged with all eight runs, in nine hits and three walks, with three strikeouts. If there was a positive, it was the bullpen. Recently recalled Silvino Bracho and J.J. Hoover allowed one run over five innings, saving some arms.

The D-backs made something of a game of it in the middle innings. They did at least prevent the Astros’ starter from lasting long enough to get the W. They scored three in the fourth, and left the bases loaded, and got another one in the fourth. But a key DP and 17 strikeouts ended any chance of a miraculous comeback. Ketel Marte and Paul Goldschmidt each had two hits.