Merrill Kelly bounced back from three straight shaky starts to pitch seven effective innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Mets 2-1 for a much-needed win on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Kelly (2-3) allowed a run on three hits and Paul Sewald worked a perfect ninth for his eighth save in as many chances. It was Arizona’s third win in 11 games.<\/p>\n
Mets starter Clay Holmes (4-3) allowed a two-run single to Ildemaro Vargas in the third inning, but was otherwise sharp, allowing two runs on five hits in 5 2\/3 innings.<\/p>\n
He got little help from the Mets’ offense. New York had three hits a night after pulling out a 3-1 win in 10 innings over the Diamondbacks.<\/p>\n
Kelly was much better after allowing 19 earned runs over 13 2\/3 innings his previous three starts.<\/p>\n
The right-hander allowed Brett Baty’s run-scoring single in the second inning and stranded two in the fifth after Tyrone Taylor’s two-out double. Kelly struck out six and walked three.<\/p>\n
Arizona’s starters have pitched at least six innings in five straight starts for the first time since doing it in six straight last September.<\/p>\n
Holmes held the Angels to an earned run in 6 2\/3 innings his last start and was sharp again.<\/p>\n
The right-hander worked around Adrian Del Castillo’s leadoff double in the second inning before running into trouble when Arizona loaded the bases in the third. Vargas lined a two-run single, but Holmes retired the next nine batters until being lifted following Nolan Arenado’s two-out single in the sixth.<\/p>\n
Holmes had six strikeouts and two walks. He’s allowed two or fewer earned runs in all eight starts this season.<\/p>\n
Up next<\/strong><\/p>\n RHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 2.50) will pitch the series finale for the Diamondbacks on Sunday. The Mets have yet to name a starter.<\/p>\n