Picture perfect win for D-backs over LA

That was one beautiful game to watch. A classic pitcher's dual at Chavez Ravine. The kind I used to listen to on the radio with Vin and the Dodgers.

Brandon Webb was his usual Cy Young self, going eight innings and giving up only one run. Derek Lowe was nearly as impressive. With Webb giving up the first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, the D-backs came right back in the top of the seventh and finally put up some consecutive hits against Lowe. With Conor Jackson and MarkReynolds both hitting doubles, and a key single by Chris Snyder, Arizona came back with two runs of their own to take the lead - and that would do it, as they win it 2-1.

The biggest play of the game, however, came in the bottom of the eighth. With one out and runners on second and third, Matt Kemp hit a shallow fly to Jackson in left. Jackson made the catch easily and "gunned it" home. It was a one-hopper that Snyder caught on the foul side of the third base line, and he quickly dove to his right to tag Andre Ethier in the head just before he touched home. That was absolutely incredible....and to see the fist pump from Snyder, and all of the high fives in the D-backs dugout....a thing of beauty.

So, the D-backs are now 6-1 on this road trip. Tomorrow, Randy Johnson gets to face incoming Dodger Manny Ramirez. Wow, that's going to be some sight seeing Man Ram in Dodger blue....hope it works out for L.A. about as well as Andruw Jones did....

As for the D-backs not pulling the trigger on any trades today...again I applaud them. Too many teams feel like they absolutely have to make a deal, especially on the last day. But GM Josh Byrnes feels confident in this group, and frankly shouldn't mess with this chemistry. This is a fun group to watch, and can't wait to see how this one finishes up down the stretch.

Thanks Josh Byrnes....thanks

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap......

A big round of applause for D-backs GM Josh Byrnes for not pulling the trigger on the Mark Teixeira deal. I have been against this type of deal since the rumors started, and am more than happy than it didn't go down.

It would have been an incremental improvement to the D-backs offense at best, and one that would not put them over the hump and make them instant National League favorites. Teixeira would have certainly been a two month rental. Sure there would come the future first round draft picks when he exited, and that's certainly something I'm quite sure was under consideration in possibly doing this deal. But, I believe, and it would seem Byrnes also believes, that the nucleus of this club is good enough to get them there.

Now hopefully the D-backs will go out and prove Byrnes right the rest of the season. If nothing else, it gives them a vote of confidence. It's still possible that Byrnes decides to make a move in the next 48 hours, but highly unlikely it would involve somebody like Chad Tracy or Conor Jackson. Any takers for Micah Owings.....please....

D-backs do clean sweeping of Giants

Now that's how you do it. The Arizona Diamondbacks just needed to get back into the friendly NL West to get rolling again. The D-backs handily beat San Francisco 7-2 on Sunday behind another good outing by Randy Johnson. As well as the Unit is pitching right now, that is one heckuva 1-2-3 punch at the top of this rotation.

Johnson's eighth win of the season, now 8-7, moves him up to 292 in career wins.

Conor Jackson continues to be on fire...going 3-for-4 with another dinger. His season average is now up to .324, which is sixth in the NL and tied for eighth in all of baseball. If Jackson gets involved in any trade before the deadline, I will be extremely disappointed. He's just now starting to come into his own, and becoming the hitter that the organization expected he would be at this level. I keep seeing Buster Olney on ESPN talking about Chad Tracy being considered for Mark Teixeira, and that the Braves might be insisting on Jackson as part of any deal. I don't want to see either of those guys go, but I understand that you obviously have to give up something to get something...we've only got a few days now to see what gets done...should be nerve wracking for those guys.

Good to see that Mark Reynolds is continuing to hit well again. He hit his 21st round-tripper of the year on Sunday, a two-run shot coming in the fifth.

Now it's off to San Diego for three starting tonight. Micah Owings goes in the opener. The D-backs should be good for two of three here, but won't count chickens yet.

Top 10 all-time favorite D-backs

I was thinking the other day about who my favorite Diamondbacks players have been over the past 10+ years. A few came quickly to mind...others took some thought. These are not necessarily the best players of all-time, but ones that myself and most fans viewed with great regard.

Here's what I came up with for my ten all-time favorite players in this organization, in no particular order:

1. David Dellucci
2. Jay Bell
3. Luis Gonzalez
4. Steve Finley
5. Randy Johnson
6. Mark Grace
7. Tony Womack
8. Chad Tracy
9. Brandon Webb
10. Orlando Hudson
    

Road Trip...road trip...

Dan Haren's the man...no question about it. Another eight strong innings of two-run ball, as the D-backs take down the Giants 10-2 in the opening game of a 10-game road trip. With Haren on the mound, and the way the bats are finally starting to come together, that is a sweet combo.

Conor Jackson, Stephen Drew, and Chad Tracy continue to swing big bats, and wooooo....Mark Reynolds finally broke out of his funk with a huge 3-run blast (20th on the year now). Tracy's dinger in the seventh was absolutely crushed into McCovey cove.

Speaking of Tracy, there seems to be some speculation that he could be a potential trade bait for Mark Teixeira....hmm...don't like the thought of that. As enticing as that may sound, Teixeria would be a two month rental, and I just don't think he would be that much of a difference maker. I think it's best at this point to stick with the guys that are there, and have faith that they get the job done. They're certainly beginning to show signs of that now.

It's obvious to say that this road trip is huge for Arizona, and let's face it, the Giants, Dodgers, and Padres aren't exactly top shelf teams. I expect them to go 7-3 on this trip, and really start to create that separation in the West.

As for tomorrow....Webby (13-4) versus Giants own Cy Young contender Tim Lincecum (11-3)...are you kidding me?? That is a dream pitching matchup.

Nice pickup in Rauch

It didn't take long for newcomer Jon Rauch to leave an impression on the D-backs, striking out two in the ninth to finish off the Cubbies 9-2 last night. Wow what a big dude this guy is...talk about an imposing figure on the mound...plus the fact that he throws some mid-90 heat...he's tough.

Hated to see Emilio Bonifacio go, but it's a deal that really needed to be made to get this bullpen straightened out. As Josh Byrnes noted about the deal...

"Bonifacio, of course, will be missed," Byrnes said. "[He's] a tremendous person, very well liked in the organization, obviously very fast and a chance to be a very good Major League player. But we felt like we need to make this move."

Rauch comes from the Nationals with a 4-2 record and 2.98 ERA, certainly nothing to sneeze at. Maybe this move will fire up the pen a bit and get things going back in the right direction. My sense is that it may help Chad Qualls the most...putting some heat on him may be a good thing.

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I was really pleased to see that Jamie D'Antona finally got called up yesterday by the D-backs. And to get a hit in his first major league at-bat was so fitting. The guy can flat out rake...and I know he doesn't really have a defensive position, but the D-backs certainly need another bat on this team, and what better way to do that than having a guy like D'Antona...I mean, who would you rather come off the bench, D'Antona or Chris Burke....

D-backs get huge effort from Unit in win

Like the saying goes in baseball, hit 'em where they ain't. And Randy Johnson was fortunate enough that the Cubs didn't take that advice last night. They hit some unbelievable rockets off of Johnson, but only two of them found holes in the seven innings of shutout ball that he threw, as the D-backs squeaked by the Cubs 2-0.

Cubs starter Rich Harden was royally screwed - he threw seven innings as well, and only gave up a single hit, which happened to be a solo homer from Alex Romero, his first major league dinger. He had a no-hitter going until Romero hit that shot in the sixth.

Micah Owings came in and did a nice job in the eighth - I fully expect not to see him back in the starting rotation the rest of the year. He really is a better relief guy - his mentality and makeup are really better suited in that spot. And Chad Qualls did a high wire act in the ninth, but just enough to get it done. Big time win for the D-backs.

Yusmeiro Petit going tonight..I've got a good feeling about it - the Cubs are struggling at the plate right now, and Petit is no slouch...I can see him filling Owings' slot the rest of the year possibly.

D-backs hope to right the ship against Cubs

The Big Unit hopes to restore some order to the D-backs and pull out a win tonight against the Cubs. Arizona has somehow remained atop or tied in the NL West for an extended period, and I'm fearful of what will happen if they fall into second place...that wouldn't be good for their psyche.

Let's hope the Unit is on top of his game tonight and the D-backs can scratch one out.

Lyon implodes in ninth...D-backs go down to LA

Two days in a row now that Brandon Lyon has come into the game in the ninth, and totally stunk up the place. Last night, he was fortunate to escape out of there without blowing Dan Haren's masterful game. Today, he wasn't so fortunate.

Lyon gave up five runs...that's right five runs by a closer, on five hits as he blew a 4-1 lead going into the ninth inning, as the Dodgers won it 6-5.

An outstanding pitching effort from Brandon Webb was wasted...he only gave up one run in his eight innings of work.

This bullpen of the Diamondbacks has absolutely gone to pot...there doesn't seem to be a single reliable arm down there. We all keep thinking that another bat should be obtained before the trading deadline...now I'm thinking another arm is needed more.

What a huge disappointment. D-backs and Dodgers are once again tied atop the NL Worst. This is going to be a very interesting last two and a half months of the year.

Haren All-Star like in D-backs win over LA

Dan Haren....man has he been good this year. After smoking the Dodgers last night at Chase - seven innings of four-hit no-run ball - his record now goes to 9-5 on the year. He should really be about 14-4 at this point - neck and neck with Webby. As BoMel pointed out...

"It seems like every game he goes out there that's the type of performance he gives us," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said. "We don't score many runs. Every pitch seems to be paramount.

"He's just been phenomenal for the better part of two months. I don't know that there's been a better pitcher in baseball."

Brandon Lyon did his best to make it interesting in the 9th, but the D-backs held on and squeaked one, 3-2.

Orlando Hudson and Conor Jackson continue to provide nearly all of the offense for Arizona. They both went 2-for-4, with Jackson hitting his ninth homer of the year in the first inning. Both guys are now neck and neck hitting .309 on the year.

The D-backs now move a game up on the Dodgers, but still remove a game under .500. With Brandon Webb going today against Derek Lowe of LA, the D-backs should have an advantage and have a good chance to win the series. Let's see if they can rake Lowe around the park this afternoon...and get warmed up for those Cubbies coming in tomorrow. Two excellent series for D-backs fans...oh...and for the many Dodger and Cub fans as well ;-0

D-backs start 2nd half with Upton on DL

Well my question from yesterday was answered today, and neither guess of mine was right. Today the D-backs placed Justin Upton on the 15-day DL, retroactive to July 9 - meaning he can become available on July 24. However BoMel isn't so sure he'll be ready then either...

"He just wasn't in a position last night even when we had him in the cage taking some tee swings where he couldn't let it go," Melvin said. "How long it will be I'm not sure."

So the move allows Tony Clark to come right in and not require anyone to be sent down to make room for him.

As for the second half of this season - my gut feeling at this point is that the D-backs will come out strong and start to create some separation in the division. They have mostly all of the pieces in place - still would like another bat...but who wouldn't. My prediction at this point is that one month from now, Aug. 18th, the D-backs will be seven to eight games over .500, and have a three game lead in the division...we'll see....

Nice to see Clark back with D-backs

As had been speculated for the last couple of weeks, Tony Clark is now back in a D-backs uniform again, at least for the rest of this season. He was traded today for a minor league pitcher after Clark waived the 500 grand he was supposed to make if he was traded from the Padres.

I for one am glad he is back. He instantly fortifies a very weak Arizona bench, and can do some spot duty at first as well. What I'm wondering now is....which current man on the 25-man roster will be sent down...Alex Romero maybe....kind of hate to see that though. I guess Bonifacio probably makes the most sense..

All star break comes at good time

I think the D-backs really do need a rest....and four days this week should suit them just fine. After another Chad Qualls meltdown on Sunday, here's hoping that the bullpen will all go to a spa and get rested up for the second half.

With the bats finally starting to come around though, sure hope the break doesn't cool off the offense. They're finally starting to show glimpses of the team we saw in April.

But, the D-backs are still in first place....argh...I know it's embarrassing to even call them a first-place team...but there you have it. My prediction is that the team looks closer to the team was in April then the one in June. Is 90 games still a possibility...it's remote...very remote...but...this did team put together a big winning stretch after the break last year, so it's certainly possible. I'd say they're looking at about 87 wins right now. If that wins the division - most certainly won't win a Wild Card - then I'll take it. Just get us to the playoffs baby, and anything can happen.

D-backs blister Phills 10-4

Randy Johnson pitched and hit himself to his career win number 290 yesterday, as the D-backs outslugged the Phillies 10-4. The Big Unit was a spark in the fourth inning with his two-run double.

"You've got to be able to help yourself put the ball in play," Johnson said. "I've had the same thing done against me, so I know it helped."

Johnson didn't pitched a terribly great game, but good enough to go five innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits. He's now 6-7 on the year...he should get it over .500 by the end of the year I think.

The D-backs once again get back to .500, and coupled with the Dodgers loss yesterday, regained a two-game lead in MLB's worst division.

As for the offense in this game, Chad Tracy continues to rake out there. He went 3-for-5 with three RBIs. He's now eight for this last 17 with six steaks in his last three games. It definitely makes sense hitting him fourth in the lineup as Melvin did yesterday.

I was pleasantly amazed to see something at the end of yesterday's game: three D-back players currently hitting .300 or higher....didn't think it could be done. We've got O-dog hitting .300, Conor Jackson hitting .302, and Tracy at .303. Arizona is actually starting to swing the bats again, let's hope they can sustain it for a bit...too bad the All-star break is coming to kill their momentum.

Brandon Webb goes this morning against the Phillies Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.18 ERA) in what should be a dandy of a pitching matchup. With Webby going in the All-star game on Tuesday, it would be nice if he had a nice, comfortable outing today and was able to limit his pitch count.

Can't quite hold on this time in 12

Tony Pena gave it up for the second night in a row, as the D-backs get outlasted by the Phillies 6-5 in 12 innings.

I think it's time for Pena to take a little breather down there in the bullpen, and work it out. He is just getting hammered out there...and bringing back him to this game after his horrific play two nights ago against the Nationals was a mistake - big time. He is struggling mightily...why is Bob Melvin bringing him in the game in key situations??? Let him work out his breaking ball issues in blowout games...I know the D-backs are relying on this guy....but sometimes guys need some time to work things out.

Let's hope Arizona can come back strong today against the Phills. This Phillies team sure is fun to watch...they can flat out mash.

D-backs somehow hold on and win in 11

I must have uttered the infamous Thomy Boy's famous words "boy...oh...boy" at least a dozen times during yesterday's game against the Nats. But, somehow, someway, these D-backs kept fighting and fighting and end up winning it 7-5 in 11 innings.

But as I said yesterday, the goal was to win this series. And, well, that's about all you can say that happened here these last three days...looks great on paper and that's all that matters. After scoring a total of two earned runs through the first 27 innings of this series, Arizona started banging out hits like they were the Beatles, and scoring five runs in the 10th and 11th innings. This puts them back to .500 (46-46), and back to a game lead over the losing Dodgers.

You had to feel for Mark Reynolds yesterday. He had three errors in the game, including two in the bottom of the ninth, the first of which led to the Nationals knotting the game at two and forcing extras. But, Reynolds came back in the tenth and hit a big run scoring double off of the wall in right-center field to help his cause. He'll be fine...he's a guy who doesn't seem to let these things bother him long-term.

But you really had to feel for Dan Haren. Boy was he screwed out of a victory. He pitched flawlessly for eight innings, only allowing two hits and no runs through the first eight innings. Melvin ran him out there in the ninth to try to get a complete game shutout, and Haren walked the first guy and allowed a single to the next, and he was done for the night. Brandon Lyon was then put in a tough spot, and with the hit he allowed and the Reynolds error...to extra innings we go.

Tony Pena...wow...he brought his gas can to the mound and was shelled all over the field in the tenth. But, the D-backs kept fighting back, and timely hitting by Chad Tracy and Stephen Drew ensured that this team wasn't going to lose this series.

Pretty darn good win considering.....

Once again dismal offense dooms D-backs

Well...that's two games against the 35-57 Washington Nationals...and wait...let me add that up again just to be sure...yeah...it's a seven hits and two unearned runs...in two games....

Micah Owings only gave up one hit in 5 2/3 today, but otherwise looked miserable out there for what..the upteenth time in a row now. Walking five guys...hitting three guys and giving up three earned runs. But if the offense can't get more than three hits then it's just not going to happen.

D-backs now fall to a game under .500. Dodgers win tonight..so they're back in a tie now for first. The good thing is that Dan Haren is going tomorrow, and if he can pick up a win then the D-backs can win this series. So, for as bad as they've played, winning this series is really all you can ask and was expected here.

Bad news prior to the game when Justin Upton strained his left oblique muscle during BP...hope it's not DL time for the young man..he was just starting to get it straightend out again.

Webb gets 13th win despite offense

The way this team has struggled the past two months, there is no way I'd have said that if the D-backs to had only four hits in a game that somehow they would come out of it with a shutout victory. But, with Brandon Webb on the hill, that's exactly what they did tonight. They clearly pulled this win out of their backside: four hits and two unearned runs to beat the Nationals 2-0.

Webby did of course pitch a great game, only giving up six hits and no runs in six innings of work. He now goes to 13-4 on the season to become the majors' first 13-game winner. I like the quote from Webb afterward:

"But there were signs today that I'm kind of getting back," Webb said. "My arm feels great. My release point is there most of the time, sometimes it's not. But I think I'm almost there."

Usually when a pitcher says those kinds of things, they are really starting to feel it....and that's great news for D-backs fans as Webb fights back from a so-called dead arm situation that plagued him for quite a stretch.

So, they did just enough to get it done...that's OK by me. They're back to .500 and the Dodgers are getting smoked by the Braves tonight, so it looks like Arizona will gain back a one game lead in the NL West again.

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Interesting note today from Nick Piecoro's blog talking about the possibility of bringing in a left fielder who can hit left-handed pitching. This was in regard to the distinct possibility that Eric Byrnes is lost for the season with the hammy issues. This was the quote from D-backs GM Josh Byrnes about the possibility of the unthinkable: Barry Bonds...

“He and maybe a couple of others are sort of sitting out there,” Byrnes said. “I think it’s a bit of assessing any players’ readiness, then knocking somebody out of the lineup, dollars, etc. I don’t want to talk about him specifically, but, believe me, we’ve considered a lot of options. There is sort of no one obvious option right now, but there are a lot of considerations.”

Now I have been on record as saying that Barry Bonds would in fact be a good fit on this team. Now granted, that was during Spring Training when I was obviously in some kind of cloud of euphoria that baseball was starting again, but I did in fact think it may work. As Nick points out, it would certainly be a circus if Bonds were to join this team. And honestly, Josh Byrnes doesn't seem the type to pull off something like that....but ya never know...

Great win for Unit as he gets 289....finally

That was an outstanding outing yesterday by The Big Unit...that was by far his best of the year and one I hadn't seen like that in a few years. Win number 289 for Randy...he won't quite get to 300 this year, but he'll give it a go.

Nice to see him hitting his spots again until he clearly ran out of steam in the seventh. And I bet Chad Qualls wasn't nervous about coming in and not blowing that 'W' for Johnson ;-). Qualls did exactly what he was supposed to do though, and shut the door....very nice.

Has that Justin Upton smash come down yet? Wow...483 ft....second longest in Chase Field history...that was a mammoth blast. And Mark Reynolds laser to the camera well in center wasn't too bad either. Brandon Lyon tried to make it interesting in the ninth...way too interesting..but D-backs win it and that's all that matters.

Now come on guys..go sweep the pathetic Nationals, get back over .500, and start kicking some tail again.

So much for momentum

Wow....I thought yesterday's huge win would ignite this team onto better things. Well, the way they played last night...no signs of it. Scratching out only two hits against the Padres Cha Seung Baek (now with All-Star numbers such as 2-4 with a 4.93 ERA) is ridiculous. The D-backs finished with only five hits...and drop this one 5-1.

Once again Dan Haren pitched an excellent game. Seven innings and gave up two runs. But once again that wasn't nearly enought.

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Interesting that the D-backs called up Emilio Bonifacio from Tucson with Eric Byrnes going on the DL again. Bonifacio is expected to try and provide a spark at the top of the lineup. Hey...I'm all for trying anything at this point. However, as I write this, the D-backs are down 3-0 in the sixth...boy oh boy....

Unbelieveable win for D-backs over Brew Crew

Admit it...I'm not the only one who thought there was no way in #$%*#@! that they were coming back in the ninth to win that game. There was absolutely none of that feeling. But, going into the bottom of the ninth down 5-0 to Milwaukee, Arizona came out and blasted their way through and somehow came up with six runs to win it 6-5. That was by far the most exciting win I've seen from the D-backs this year....hands down.

It was Conor Jackson who came up with the final two-run single to put them over the top, but it was just as much Chad Tracy's big three-run double, and Orlando Hudson's RBI single that did it for them.

I talked about it earlier today, i.e. whether going below .500 on the year would send them into a deeper spiral. I didn't think that it would...but as this game was going...I was starting to doubt myself. But, that was some serious resiliency that these guys showed today. Now I think the confidence they gain from this win may propel them back into that April direction again, and get some more separation in the NL West. They're back to .500 now...woohoo!

Brandon Webb clearly was not on top of his game today, as he allowed all five runs on nine hits in his six innings of work. Two of those hits were dingers (one a controversial one to Mike Cameron in the sixth). But, today the bullpen came in and effectively shut the door on the Brewers to give the offense it's chance at coming back. And back they came...with a vengence.

That was one sweet game..."Party on Wayne...Party on Garth..."

Petit the man, bullpen not in D-backs loss

Yusmeiro Petit pitched a stellar game last night for six innings, and left after only 77 pitches of one run, two hit ball. Melvin pulled him for a pinch hitter to try to pick up some more runs, but it never came to be, and the D-backs bullpen gave up three runs to give the Brewers a 4-3 win.

The bullpen of Chad Qualls, Tony Pena, and Brandon Lyon all came in and did their share to lose this one. Each gave up a run in their respective innings. I don't know what's happened to Qualls of late, apparently no sink to his sinker, because he has been brutal lately. He started the season off so well, and now is just getting murdered out there.

So, the D-backs fall below .500 for the first time since the first week of the season...wow...and the Dodgers are getting dangerously close now at 1 1/2 games back. Let's hope the psychological effect of going under .500 doesn't send this team into a more downward spiral. I kind of think that it won't, being that the team has already been in such a spiral that it's hard to imagine it will get much worse.

Early game today at 12:40 PM to close out this series with the Brewers. This Brew Crew for some reason just has the D-backs number....hopefully can even the series today with Brandon Webb taking the hill.

Reynolds on fire in 6-3 win over Brew Crew

You gotta love Mark Reynolds. The guy is a roller coaster extraordinaire. Nice he's on the top of the track right now, as he went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a solo shot to pace the D-backs over the Brewers 6-3 last night. He's still only hitting .258, but now has 17 big flies on the year along with 52 steaks. So, power numbers are looking good, just need to get his punchout total down and average up there a bit. Hmm....am I talking about Chris Young or Mark Reynolds...hard to tell.

Doug Davis was fairly decent in his outing, giving up three earned runs in his 5+ innings of work, losing his control in the sixth. Woohoo!! D-backs are 42-41 and have a 3 1/2 game lead....still amazes me.

A couple of discouraging injuries last night with Eric Byrnes and Chris Snyder. Both went on the 15-day DL after painful to watch injuries. Byrnesie re-injured his hammy while trying to steal third....why on earth is he going hog wild stealing when he knows he has a delicate hamstring. As for Snyder....a " left testicular fracture". Are you freaking kidding me? I've never see that injury reported before, and frankly it scares me just to say it. Robby Hammock will be called up from Tucson to replace him.

So, The Big Unit goes tonight against former D-back Jeff Suppan. Let's hope Randy can pick up a win tonight...it's been since sometime back in May that he's seen a W next to his name.