D-Backs' skid continues in 1-0 loss to Braves

Rookie closer Craig Kimbrel struck out Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt and Sean Burroughs with runners on first and third in the ninth and the Diamondbacks’ scoring woes continued in their 1-0 loss to Tim Hudson and Atlanta on Sunday. Hudson (13-7) combined with Jonny Venters and Kimbrel on the five-hit shutout.

Arizona rookie Josh Collmenter almost matched Hudson, giving up only a third-inning homer to Alex Gonzalez. But Collmenter had no

offensive support as the Diamondbacks matched their longest skid of the season with their fifth straight loss, including three straight to the Braves.

"Even down to the ninth we put them on the ropes a little bit,” Collmenter said. "If a hit falls through or something happens, we tie the game up.”

The Diamondbacks have scored only nine runs in their last six games, including three runs in the three losses to Atlanta.

"We tried to make as much happen as we could,” Gibson said.

"We each got five hits. They got a home run. They got seven home runs in three games. We hit none. That’s uncharacteristic of us.”

Kimbrel escaped trouble in the ninth to earn his 39th save. Kimbrel walked Chris Young with one out in the ninth. Young advanced to third on Miguel Montero’s single up the middle.

Kimbrel hit 100 mph on the Turner Field radar gun before striking out Goldschmidt on a 99 mph fastball. He struck out Burroughs with a slid-er to end the game. "I felt confident the whole time,” Kimbrel said.

Arizona’s Kelly Johnson led off the sixth with a triple to right. One out later, Chris Young hit a popup that first baseman Freddie Freeman chased into foul territory and caught while running with his back to the plate. Johnson took off from third base as Freeman turned and threw to the plate.

Catcher Brian McCann moved to his right to catch Freeman’s throw and then made a lunging tag before Johnson slid over the plate.

"It seemed like there was a good opportunity to put some pressure,” Johnson said.

"You’ve just got to go.”

Gibson said Johnson had to try to score when the Diamondbacks had so few chances.

"We forced them to make a play,” Gibson said. "I liked what Kelly did. ... We were going to go down swinging.”

Arizona began the day 2.5 games ahead of San Francisco in the NL West.

"When you run into good teams that are on their game, it’s a tough spot,” Johnson said, referring to Arizona losing two of three at

Philadelphia before being swept by Atlanta. "But we’re due. I think that things are going to fall.