Marlins once again handle D-backs

If you're the Arizona Diamondbacks, you better hope that the Florida Marlins stay down and don't make any hint of getting in the playoffs this year. Because if that buzz saw of a team were to run into the D-backs, Arizona could kiss their chances goodbye. These guys just have their number (7-2 in season series). Marlins win the series yesterday by taking it 5-2 at Chase Field.

And one of the biggest guys who has their number is Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco. He went 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA this year against the D-backs...this year! Only managing four hits off this guy, half of them by Stephen Drew including a first inning homer, will not get it done.

Doug Davis however, also threw a terrific game. His seven innings and three runs to go along with eight strikeouts and no walks were very nice indeed.

"It wasn't fun, but they got me going to where I can pitch today," Davis said. "I threw a lot of strikes. My mechanics were there. The arm felt good and the back felt good, so I can't complain. I had a quality start and gave us a chance to win, but I was just plain outpitched."

Trailing 3-2 going into the ninth, Brandon Lyon was inserted into another non-save situation....just knew disaster was ensuing. Sure enough, three hits and two runs later, this game was history. I can understand why Melvin keeps running him out there even in non-save situations - he's trying to get him right so that he can rely on him down the stretch. But, at this point, better to keep him out of non-save games, and better yet keep him out of all home games as well. They can't afford too many more of these outings now.

Tonight goes back to the pitching matchup from last week of Dan Haren and Jake Peavy, but this time in San Diego. As compared to that anomaly last week, in this ballpark it really should be a pitchers dual out there.

But, the best news of the day came when the Phillies hit a walk off three-run homer in extra innings against the Dodgers.....outstanding. So, the D-backs keep their three game lead in the West.