Jason Marquis and the Minnesota Twins agreed on a deal for the pitcher to join the team for the 2012 MLB season. Marquis is currently rehabbing after fracturing his right fibula while pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011.

Through the season, Marquis went 8-6 over 23 starts with a 4.43 ERA as the Diamondbacks made their surprise surge for an NL postseason appearance.

The injury occurred on August 14 in a game against the New York Mets. Angel Pagan hit a line drive that nailed Marquis in the third inning of the game. Marquis remained in the game, and seemed fine, but in the fourth inning he fell to the ground, grasping his right leg after hitting Josh Thole with a pitch.

Trainers had to help Marquis off the field with an injury that, at first, looked like a rolled ankle. The injury, which takes several weeks to heal, put Marquis on the 15-day disabled list and they replaced him in the rotation. On August 23, the Diamondbacks went ahead and placed Marques on the 60-day DL, effectively ending Marquis’ season.

Since Marquis was about to become a free agent, both sides agreed he had played his final game as a Diamondback.

It didn’t take long for the 33-year old pitcher to latch on with a new team. The Minnesota Twins needed a fifth starter and are looking to rebound from a disappointing last place finish in the AL Central in 2011. The Twins will give Marquis $3 million in a one year contract that will allow him to pitch in the American League for the first time in his career.

One big positive for the sinker ball pitcher is a nice, big pitcher’s park in Target Field to play. In the first two seasons the Twins have played there, the ballpark has been one of the most difficult for home run hitters. Of course, over his 12-year career, Marquis has made a name as a ground ball pitcher.

Marquis has played in Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago (NL), Washington and Arizona over his career. His career ERA sits at 4.51 but he dropped his yearly ERA almost two runs when he moved from the Nationals to the Diamondbacks.

In 2012, Minnesota hopes Marquis will help them turn their fortunes back around.

Source: ESPN

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Tonight’s pitching matchup: LHP Wade Miley (1-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. Rockies RHP Aaron Cook (3-7, 5.47).

Miley earned his first major-league win in his second outing in an 8-1 victory over the Nationals. He pitched scoreless innings, allowing five hits and four walks and striking out four. Miley was brought up from Triple-A Reno on Aug. 16 after going 4-1 with a 3.64 ERA there. … Cook had a no-decision in his most-recent outing, getting pounded for 11 hits and five earned runs in five innings against the Astros. This will be Cook’s 22nd career start against the Diamondbacks.

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Updated Aug 25, 2011 12:51 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP)

Daniel Hudson has never thrown a shutout in the majors, and that fact was very much on his mind with one out to go.

”Absolutely,” he said. ”Just two stupid pitches at the end.”

Those two offerings left the ballyard. Laynce Nix to right field, Jonny Gomes to left field. Hudson was soon walking to the dugout, having lost the complete game as well as the shutout. But he was a winner nonetheless Wednesday night as the Arizona Diamondbacks held on to beat the Washington Nationals 4-2.

”At least we won the game,” Hudson said. ”And that’s what’s important right now.”

Hudson (13-9) allowed nine hits, struck out six, walked none and threw 102 pitches before he hit the wall at 8-2/3 innings. J.J. Putz then came on to retire Wilson Ramos on a foul out to first for his 32nd save.

The Diamondbacks showed up at the ballpark later than usual and skipped batting practice for the second day in a row — manager Kirk Gibson’s way of getting everyone to relax after a six-game losing streak endangered Arizona’s lead in the NL West.

It’s working so far. Arizona won both games and holds a two-game lead over San Francisco. Sure enough, Gibson announced there would be no BP again Thursday when the teams wrap up the series.

”Probably the rest of the season,” catcher Miguel Montero said with a laugh. ”We’ve got to keep the superstition going, you know? And this is a game with a lot of superstition, and we’ve got to keep going. You see the movie ‘Bull Durham?’ It’s just kind of the same way.”

The score the previous night was 2-0, which means the Nationals were nearly blanked in back-to-back games by the Diamondbacks for the second time this season. Livan Hernandez (7-12) allowed four runs and seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts over 7-1/3 innings.

”That’s what that team is known for,” said Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who streak of 29 consecutive games reaching base came to an end. ”They don’t score that many runs, they get big hits when they need them, and then their pitching staff kind of carries them. The last two games, that’s what they’ve done to us.”

The Nationals nearly scored in the eighth after Ramos’ single and Ian Desmond’s double put runners on second and third with one out. But Rick Ankiel lined out to first, and Diamondbacks new acquisition John McDonald followed with a highlight play to preserve the shutout. The shortstop fielded Zimmerman’s chopper up the middle, did a 360 and threw a one-hopper to first baseman Lyle Overbay, who made a nice, clean snag that beat Zimmerman by a hair.

McDonald’s new teammates were instantly impressed.

”I never thought he had a chance, man,” Montero said. ”I heard he can pick it. He showed me today. It was a really nice play.”

Arizona got on the board in the fourth when Gomes dropped the ball while taking it out of his glove on Chris Young’s double to the left field corner, an error that allowed Justin Upton to score from first. Overbay followed with an RBI single to right.

In the eighth, Ryan Roberts and Gerardo Parra singled back to back to chase Hernandez, and Montero drove both runners home with a single off reliever Henry Rodriguez.

The Diamondbacks unveiled a new lineup, featuring the two players acquired the day before in a trade with Toronto. Aaron Hill started at second base, taking the spot held by Kelly Johnson, who was dealt to the Blue Jays, while McDonald was at shortstop.

Having played only in the other circuit, Hill and McDonald arrived in town early Wednesday and started on a crash course on all things National League — for a team in a pennant race.

”That’s the one thing I think it’s going to take the most getting used to, learning a lot of the new players,” McDonald said. ”Being in the American League, you can put a lineup in front of me, I know where to go. I’ve got some studying to do.”

NOTES: Another milestone for Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg in his return from Tommy John surgery: He took batting practice Wednesday. Strasburg will pitch Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse in his fifth minor league rehab start, and it’ll be the first one in which he’ll have to hit. ”He’s wanted to hit, but nobody’s been letting him,” manager Davey Johnson said. Strasburg likely has two starts left before making his much anticipated return to the majors sometime around Sept. 6. He threw a side session Wednesday before his BP. … Nationals OF Jayson Werth sat out after leaving Tuesday’s game early with a strained groin. ”He would play if we were in a pennant race or something,” Johnson said. … Arizona’s starting infield of Hill, McDonald, 1B Overbay and 3B Roberts reunited a foursome that played together for the Blue Jays in 2007. ”If that can help us win a game, I’ll be all excited about it,” Gibson said. … The Diamondbacks designated INF Cody Ransom for assignment to make room for the players acquired in the trade.

By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) – Daniel Hudson has never thrown a shutout in the majors, and that fact was very much on his mind with one out to go.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Just two stupid pitches at the end.”

Those two offerings left the ballyard. Laynce Nix to right field, Jonny Gomes to left field. Hudson was soon walking to the dugout, having lost the complete game as well as the shutout. But he was a winner nonetheless Wednesday night as the Arizona Diamondbacks held on to beat the Washington Nationals 4-2.

“At least we won the game,” Hudson said. “And that’s what’s important right now.”

Hudson (13-9) allowed nine hits, struck out six, walked none and threw 102 pitches before he hit the wall at 8 2-3 innings. J.J. Putz then came on to retire Wilson Ramos on a foul out to first for his 32nd save.

The Diamondbacks showed up at the ballpark later than usual and skipped batting practice for the second day in a row – manager Kirk Gibson’s way of getting everyone to relax after a six-game losing streak endangered Arizona’s lead in the NL West.

It’s working so far. Arizona won both games. Sure enough, Gibson announced there would be no BP again Thursday when the teams wrap up the series.

“Probably the rest of the season,” catcher Miguel Montero said with a laugh. “We’ve got to keep the superstition going, you know? And this is a game with a lot of superstition, and we’ve got to keep going. You see the movie ‘Bull Durham?’ It’s just kind of the same way.”

The score the previous night was 2-0, which means the Nationals were nearly blanked in back-to-back games by the Diamondbacks for the second time this season. Livan Hernandez (7-12) allowed four runs and seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts over 7 1-3 innings.

“That’s what that team is known for,” said Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who streak of 29 consecutive games reaching base came to an end. “They don’t score that many runs, they get big hits when they need them, and then their pitching staff kind of carries them. The last two games, that’s what they’ve done to us.”

The Nationals nearly scored in the eighth after Ramos’ single and Ian Desmond’s double put runners on second and third with one out. But Rick Ankiel lined out to first, and Diamondbacks new acquisition John McDonald followed with a highlight play to preserve the shutout. The shortstop fielded Zimmerman’s chopper up the middle, did a 360 and threw a one-hopper to first baseman Lyle Overbay, who made a nice, clean snag that beat Zimmerman by a hair.

McDonald’s new teammates were instantly impressed.

“I never thought he had a chance, man,” Montero said. “I heard he can pick it. He showed me today. It was a really nice play.”

Arizona got on the board in the fourth when Gomes dropped the ball while taking it out of his glove on Chris Young’s double to the left field corner, an error that allowed Justin Upton to score from first. Overbay followed with an RBI single to right.

In the eighth, Ryan Roberts and Gerardo Parra singled back to back to chase Hernandez, and Montero drove both runners home with a single off reliever Henry Rodriguez.

The Diamondbacks unveiled a new lineup, featuring the two players acquired the day before in a trade with Toronto. Aaron Hill started at second base, taking the spot held by Kelly Johnson, who was dealt to the Blue Jays, while McDonald was at shortstop.

Having played only in the other circuit, Hill and McDonald arrived in town early Wednesday and started on a crash course on all things National League – for a team in a pennant race.

“That’s the one thing I think it’s going to take the most getting used to, learning a lot of the new players,” McDonald said. “Being in the American League, you can put a lineup in front of me, I know where to go. I’ve got some studying to do.”

NOTES: Another milestone for Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg in his return from Tommy John surgery: He took batting practice Wednesday. Strasburg will pitch Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse in his fifth minor league rehab start, and it’ll be the first one in which he’ll have to hit. “He’s wanted to hit, but nobody’s been letting him,” manager Davey Johnson said. Strasburg likely has two starts left before making his much anticipated return to the majors sometime around Sept. 6. He threw a side session Wednesday before his BP. … Nationals OF Jayson Werth sat out after leaving Tuesday’s game early with a strained groin. “He would play if we were in a pennant race or something,” Johnson said. … Arizona’s starting infield of Hill, McDonald, 1B Overbay and 3B Roberts reunited a foursome that played together for the Blue Jays in 2007. “If that can help us win a game, I’ll be all excited about it,” Gibson said. … The Diamondbacks designated INF Cody Ransom for assignment to make room for the players acquired in the trade.

___

Joseph White can be reached at http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks had their routine completely upended before playing the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night, and manager Kirk Gibson wasn’t complaining.

Sean Burroughs hit a two-run home run and Ian Kennedy pitched seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 win that ended a six-game losing streak.

The Diamondbacks’ team bus arrived at Nationals Park 45 minutes late after being stuck in heavy traffic caused by the afternoon’s East Coast earthquake. The bus, which arrived at 5:15 p.m., was set to be later than usual even before the disruption, as Gibson had decided not to have Arizona take batting practice.

“We have a 4:15 bus again tomorrow, no BP, and I’m going to try and call another earthquake,” Gibson said after the game. “If the earthquake doesn’t show up, we’ll do the rest the same.”

Kennedy (16-4) allowed six hits, struck out eight, and had a single and a double at the plate. It was Kennedy’s eighth win in his last nine starts.

“It’s been kind of crazy,” Kennedy said. “It felt like high school all over again. You show up late, start getting ready an hour before the game.”

Although the Nationals had few real scoring chances, they did put the leadoff runner on base five times against Kennedy.

“I wasn’t making it easy on myself,” he said.

Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann (8-11) held the Diamondbacks scoreless on three hits through six innings, but gave up two runs, two hits and a walk in the seventh.

After getting a groundout by Lyle Overbay to lead off the inning, Zimmermann gave up a walk to Chris Young before Burroughs’ homer to right field. The home run was Burrough’s first since April 30, 2005.

“Was basically looking dead red fastball, get out in front,” Burroughs said. “I wasn’t trying to hit a home run. I obviously never do.”

After Burrough’s homer, Kennedy doubled to end Zimmermann’s day.

“Definitely frustrating,” Zimmermann said. “It’s happened a couple of times this year where it’s just one pitch at the end of the game. It’s a home run or a double or something and they get a couple of runs.”

The start was likely the second-to-last outing of the season for Zimmermann. The right-hander is in his first full season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2009, and the Nationals have said he will be limited to about 160 innings this year. After going 6 1-3 against Arizona, Zimmermann has pitched 157 innings.

Until Burrough’s homer broke the scoreless tie, the Diamondbacks’ best scoring chance came in the fourth inning. With runners on second and third and one out, Ryan Roberts hit a sharp grounder and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman made a diving stop to throw out Roberts and save a run.

“He’s probably the only guy in the big leagues that catches it,” Gibson said.

Zimmermann hit Justin Upton with a pitch in the fourth, the fifth time Upton has been hit in six games against the Nationals this season. Upton reacted by angrily throwing his bat to the ground before walking to first base.

“I was a little upset about it,” Upton said. “I don’t know if you’re trying to hit me or not, but control your pitches.”

Kennedy hit Michael Morse with a pitch in the fourth, and home plate umpire Marvin Hudson warned both benches.

“You could tell, none of them were on purpose,” Kennedy said.

Upton left in the middle of the fifth inning with a left elbow contusion and was replaced by Collin Cowgill. Gibson said Upton was day to day.

NOTES: The game was delayed 21 minutes because of the earthquake that hit the East Coast Tuesday afternoon. … Nationals manager Davey Johnson said RHP Steven Strasburg will make his next rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse. … OF Jayson Werth left the game for a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. After the game Werth said he had a mild hip flexor, although Johnson termed it a groin strain. “We’ll see if Davey wants me to play tomorrow,” Werth said. … Washington introduced its top three draft picks — 3B Anthony Rendon, RHP Alex Meyer and OF Brian Goodwin — before the game. Rendon said he is completely recovered from a shoulder injury that hampered him at Rice this season. … Arizona traded 2B Kelly Johnson to Toronto for IFs Aaron Hill and John McDonald. The Diamondbacks placed RHP Jason Marquis (fractured right fibula) on the 60-day DL. … Nationals RHP Livan Hernandez (7-11) will start Wednesday against Arizona RHP Daniel Hudson (12-9).

Updated Aug 23, 2011 4:46 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP)

Kirk Gibson sat behind his desk in the manager’s office and spoke softly about the Arizona Diamondbacks’ sudden inability to hit, a shortcoming that has resulted in an untimely six-game losing streak.

”It’s more of the same offensively. We just really struggled,” Gibson said after Arizona fell to the Washington Nationals 4-1 Monday night.

The Diamondbacks managed only six hits, just one for extra bases – a solo home run by Henry Blanco in the seventh inning. The drive enabled Arizona to avoid a second straight shutout loss, but it wasn’t enough to knock the Diamondbacks out of a tailspin that has shaved their lead in the NL West over San Francisco to one game.

Arizona has scored only seven runs in its last six games, and Gibson is getting desperate to turn things around.

”We’re not going to take BP tomorrow. Get here later. Try that,” he said, an instant before ending his postgame news conference at a brisk 1 minute, 20 seconds.

Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer and Ross Detwiler (2-3) gave up one run and six hits in 6 2-3 innings for Washington. Detwiler came in with a 3-12 lifetime record and was winless since July 5, but the left-hander was dominant against an Arizona team that hasn’t scored more than two runs during its longest skid since a seven-game run in July 2010.

”We hit a lot of balls hard tonight. I think we’re all right,” leadoff hitter Ryan Roberts said. ”I’m not thinking that we’re in a drought. It’s just not falling in right now. It will turn back around.”

Werth has had few shining moments this season after signing a $126 million, seven-year deal in December. But he carried the Nationals in this one, scoring a second-inning run before delivering the decisive blow in the fourth against Joe Saunders (8-11).

Detwiler, meanwhile, allowed only one runner past second base until Blanco hit a drive into the left-field seats with two outs in the seventh. The homer, on a 3-2 pitch, gave Blanco has six homers and nine RBIs this year.

Drew Storen, the third Washington reliever, worked the ninth to secure his 34th save and seal the Nationals’ fifth win in seven games.

Washington went up 1-0 in the second inning when Werth doubled and scored on a single by Jonny Gomes.

In the fourth, Ryan Zimmerman led off with an infield hit and Michael Morse walked before Werth hit an opposite-field liner into the right-field seats. It was his 15th home run – the first since Aug. 10 – and it gave him 48 RBIs in 121 games.

”Being here long enough, I’ve settled in and I’m getting comfortable and finding my zone,” said Werth, whose 2-for-4 performance upped his batting average to .229. ”Unfortunately, it’s taken this long.”

Washington manager Davey Johnson suspected earlier this month that Werth would soon begin showing the power and consistency that he displayed as a star with the Philadelphia Phillies.

”I said maybe three weeks ago that he was coming along. Every day, I see more of Jayson Werth,” Johnson said. ”It’s about time to come out.”

Saunders allowed four runs and six hits in six innings. He’s 0-3 in four starts in August.

”He made a couple mistakes,” Gibson said of Saunders. ”That pitch to Werth, he didn’t get it where he wanted it and he pounded it. That was obviously a big pitch in the game.”

NOTES: Zimmerman has reached base safely in 28 straight games, batting .407 during that span. … RHP Jordan Zimmermann (8-10) will pitch for Washington on Tuesday night. Arizona has scheduled RHP Ian Kennedy (15-4), who had a seven-game winning streak snapped in his last start – a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia on Aug. 18. Zimmermann, two years removed from Tommy John surgery, is scheduled for one more start after this one before being shut down. … Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg allowed one earned run and two hits in three innings, striking out six, in a rehabilitation assignment with Class A Hagerstown against Hickory. … Arizona cleanup hitter Chris Young went 0 for 3 and is 1 for 30 in his last nine games.