There were a lot of interested eyes focused on the Arizona Diamondbacks on this 4th of July. Interested in whether Thursday’s late-inning heroics in beating the Milwaukee Brewers were the fuel that would light a fire under a team that has been in an offensive coma for much of the last 6 weeks. The fire never was ignited.

Cha Seung Baek, a Korean right-hander who had been 1-3 this season, shut down the D-Backs, and the Padres took the series opener 5-1. Baek carried a no-hitter into the 6th inning, until Stephen Drew doubled with 2 outs to break it up. Justin Upton followed with a base hit to left field, but Chase Headley gunned down Drew attempting to score, keeping San Diego up 2-0 at that point.

The Diamondbacks got their only run in the 7th, when Chad Tracy singled in Orlando Hudson. Arizona managed only 5 hits in the ballgame.

Jody Gerut and Kevin Kouzmanoff each had 2 hits and an Rbi for San Diego in the ballgame. Baek got the win, while Dan Haren again was a hard-luck loser for Arizona. Haren allowed only 2 runs over 7 innings, but saw his record fall to 8-5 on the year.

MLB.com : Recap | Boxscore

Here’s what others are saying about Cha Seung Baek’s mastery over the Diamondbacks…

D-Backs drop opener to Padres [AZCentral.com]

Diamondbacks fall to Padres, 5-1 [East Valley Tribune]

Rookies back Baek’s no-hit bid [Sign On San Diego]

The Diamondbacks’ loss, coupled with the Dodgers win over San Francisco, shrinks Arizona’s lead over Los Angeles to 1/2 game. The series continues tomorrow, with Doug Davis taking the hill for the D-Backs, and reigning Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy for the Padres. First pitch is at 5:10 at Chase Field.

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