Sedona Red Fireworks: Because winning is fun.

There are hits! And runs! Lots and lots of hits and runs!

Yes, the Dbacks had 16 hits. And, yes, they scored 9 runs. (Check out the Box Score: HERE)

But, the story of the night was  - without a doubt – Wade Miley.

1. Going into the game, the line-up looked highly similar to last night. But, when it is the line-up that stops a depressing losing streak, it isn’t a surprise that Kirk Gibson didn’t want to mess with it.

2. The offense showed up – big time. Jason Kubel and John McDonald (yes, that John McDonald) both went 3-for-4 on the day. Both Justin Upton and Jason Kubel hit solo-HRs. And, every one of the starters reached base by hit or walk tonight.

3. Speaking of Jason Kubel – Yes, he occasionally takes slightly less-than-efficient routes to balls hit to left field, but he’s shown a surprisingly a strong arm in the outfield. He recorded his 4th assist of the season, firing a one-hopper to home plate, to save a run. He’s tied for the NL lead in assists. Jason Kubel: More than just a bat standing in left field.

4. Not insignificantly, that play at the plate also illustrated that Miguel Montero is, in fact, an immoveable force. Wow.

5. Jonathan Albaladejo (called up from Reno in place of Daniel Hudson) made his Dbacks debut and was solid. 1 innings, 2 hits, no runs. As was Brad Ziegler: 1 inning, 1 hit, no runs. And, coming in for the final three outs of the ninth, so was Craig Breslow (who has pitched 8.1 innings in relief so far this season, tied with David Hernandez for the most number of innings pitched by a reliever who is not Wade Miley).

6. Joe Paterson. He’s had a very shaky 2012. He was solid as solid can be in 2011, but 2012 has been very, very rough (screencap from: here). He came in to start the 9th. He faced 5 batters: single, double, single, home run, home run. The numbers speak for themselves. This was a good game, and there has been so much negative lately, that we’re going to stick with focusing on the positives.

7. And, speaking of positives: Wade Miley. What else can you say about Wade Miley? He’s made a career acting as the stunt double for Josh Collmenter (c/o @dbacksbooth for the appropriate description) this season. He has saved the Dbacks on more than one occasion and tonight, when called upon to spot start because of Daniel Hudson going down…. The Dbacks are treated to this: 6.0 IP, 2H, 1BB, 7K. He was – again – sensational. This win is completely on him.

Score: 9-5, Diamondbacks win! Record 9-8. It’s (almost) all good in the hood.

Conclusion: This was a very fun 8 innings of baseball. For the second day in a row, it was a good day at Chase Field. 

Johnny Mac - Flashing the leather.

The losing streak has come to end, courtesy of a fine game by Mr. Ian Kennedy and a great performance from the rest of the team. Game 16/162. And, possibly in an attempt to shake up the offense, the game started with a shake-up in the line-up.

1. Gerardo Parra (CF) –  He was the offensive performance of the day. In the bottom of the second, trailing by a run with 2 outs, John McDonald was intentionally walked to pitch to Ian Kennedy with the bases loaded. Ian Kennedy walked on 4 straight pitches. Which brought Gerardo Parra to the plate. He deposited his second homer of the season into the pool (for the second time this season). Grand slam and a 5 run inning! 5-1 Dbacks. He also collected another hit and a stolen base on the day.

2. Aaron Hill (2B) – He was 1-for-4 on the day, but it was a well-timed hit. He doubled in the bottom of the 7th to drive home an insurance run. 6-3 Dbacks!

3. Justin Upton (RF) – Went 1-for-2 on the day with a walk and was hit by a pitch. Unfortunately, he was hit in his same, already-injured hand. He was the second hitter plunked on the day. (Check in with the HBP-o-Meter to see where the season stands!) And, then – in a fit of rage – he was promptly caught attempting to steal second to end the inning.

4. Miguel Montero (C) – Wasn’t his strongest offensive showing of the season, 0-for-the day.

5. Paul Goldschmidt (1B) – Had a less-than-stellar day at the plate (0-for-3 with a walk), but he was defensive gold in the field today. Solid outing from the youngster. 3-6-3 double play! Smart, smart baseball.

6. Jason Kubel (LF) – 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. And, most impressively, was the put-out he recorded from left field, to throw out Dan Uggla, trying to extend a single into a double. It was a laser-beam, perfectly placed strike and it beat Uggla to the bag by at least 5 feet.

7. Cody Ransom (3B) – He made the most of his start today. He looked immensely comfortable at the plate. He went 2-for-3 with a run scored and was a solid stopper at the hot corner.

8. John McDonald (SS) – John McDonald had great day. He was his usually defensive whiz (Exhibit A) and also stepped up at the plate. 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

9. Ian Kennedy (SP) – He had to battle all day, but he kept his head and kept his team in the game: 7.0 IP, 9H, 3R, 2BB, 5K. He also got an RBI by taking a 2-out, bases-loaded walk in the second inning. Exactly what you want from the ace of your staff.

9b. AJ Pollock (PH) -0-for-1 in his pinch-hit appearance.

9c. David Hernandez (RP) – 3-up, 3-down in his 8th inning appearance for his 4th hold of the year.

9d. Lyle Overbay (PH) – 0-for-1 in his pinch-hit appearance.

9e. JJ Putz (Cl) – He came in for the 9th inning with a 3 run lead.  A strike out, a solo HR (to Juan Francisco) and 2 fly ball outs en route to his 5th save of the season.

Score: 6-4, Diamondbacks win! Record 8-8. Back to .500 and it feels so good!

Conclusion: This is a solid team – from top to bottom – and, today, everyone chipped in to help get it done. A little shake up in the line-up and everyone came out swinging.

Update: The team announced after the game today that long man out of the pen, Wade Miley, is going to get the start tomorrow against the Phillies. Good luck, Mr. Miley!

Your game recap, game 10/162. Back to the desert where, thankfully, the Dbacks finally got to play a game where it wasn’t snowing. Or raining. Or sleeting.

Gerardo Parra's home run went for a swim in the RF pool

1. Willie Bloomquist (SS) – He’s played 7 games this season with 8 hits, at a pace of slightly more than a hit per game. None of those hits came today as he went 0-for-the day following his 2 days of rest while John McDonald manned shortstop.

2. Aaron Hill (2B) – Again, the 2-hole seems to be magical. Aaron Hill launched a home run in the bottom of the first to even the score at 1-1.  He’s 7-for-34 this season, but he’s managed to keep his quad slash line very respectable, with his combination of power and plate discipline. 0.206 / .325 / .500 / .825 He also made a fantastic diving play in the top of the 9th. In fact, it was so impressive that when MLB.com posted the video, they got a bit ahead of themselves and called it the game-winning play, even though it was they first out of the 9th.

3. Justin Upton (RF) – He still seems to be having trouble finding his swing. It’ll come.

4. Miguel Montero (C) – 1-for-4 with a hit and a run scored and threw out the speedy Alex Presley attempting to steal 2nd; raising his season total to 3/5 potential base thieves.

5. Chris Young (CF) – There is nothing more to say about the amazing run that Chris Young is on. 3-for-4 on the night with 2 singles and a HR that led to 2 RBI. And, without further comment, I will present his quadruple slash line: .405 / .500 / .892 / 1.392

6. Paul Goldschmidt (1B) – He continues to show glimmers of plate discipline, going 1-for-3 with a walk. He’s still got a K/BB rate of 10/3, but its early and something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

7. Jason Kubel (LF) – Still having a bit of trouble getting his rhythm as a Dback, he went 0-for-1 and walked twice before he was replaced with Gerardo Parra.

7b. David Hernandez (RP) – Pitched a solid 8th, 2Ks and 0 hits. And, was clearly glad to be back in the sun.

7c. Geoff Blum (PH) – Collected his first PH hit of the season in the 8th inning when he hit for David Hernandez.

7d. Brad Ziegler (RP) – Pitched a scoreless 9th, given a 5-1 lead. He was a little wild, but had one K, 2 groundouts and a walk in his inning of work, sealing the deal.

8. Ryan Roberts (3B) – 1-for-4 with an RBI and had a great at-bat in the 8th, eventually losing a 7-pitch battle, but he put up a heck of a fight. He also made some noteworthy plays in the field.

9.  Joe Saunders (SP) – He was the story of the game. At first, he didn’t seem to have his control, but he settled in nicely and ended up with a final line of 7IP, 6H, 1R, 2BB, 5K. He lowered his season ERA to 0.64 and collected his second quality start of the season. And, looked very smooth doing it. So far, so good for Bazooka Joe.

9b. Gerardo Parra (PH – LF) – Pinch hit for Joe Saunders in the bottom of the 7th and homered a 91 mph first pitch fastball into the pool [video here]. He then replaced Jason Kubel in left field. The outfield situation continues to get muddy, with Justin Upton continuing to play with a sore thumb and Kubel’s slow start. Right now, Gerardo Parra is a huge luxury for Kirk Gibson.

And, in other news, Stephen Drew worked out with the team today [click to watch the video].

Score: 5-1, Diamondbacks win; Record 7-3. The sun was shining and the bats came alive in support of a stellar effort (again) by Joe Saunders.

Conclusion: There’s no place like home.

Ian Kennedy (photo courtesy: Mwinog2777)

Your game recap, brought to you in the form of the starting line-up. Game 6/162. The team finally scored with runners in scoring position (but were still only 2-for-10), but still struck out 8 times and left 14 men on base as a team. However, they did enough to support the stellar efforts of Ian Kennedy.

1. Willie Bloomquist (SS) – Extended his hitting streak to 12 games. And, was erased when he was thrown out by a mile trying to steal second on the first pitch of the next at-bat.

2. Jason Kubel  (LF) – Moved into the 2-hole for the first time as a Diamondback. It seems to be a very unlikely assignment, but apparently Kirk Gibson had plans for him in that spot. He collected his first extra-base hit as a Diamondback, scoring Willie Bloomquist (the game’s second run) after he’d reached on an error. The 2-hole has been productive this season and it seemed to be good luck for Jason Kubel tonight.

3. Justin Upton (RF) – 0-for-3 with a walk and a couple of nice catches in the outfield.

4. Miguel Montero (C) – 0-for-4 with 2 strikeouts. But, he called a great game and made a number of good defensive plays behind the dish.

5. Chris Young (CF) – 1-for-3 with 2 strikeouts until the 8th inning. Where he hit a 97mph fastball over the left-field fence at approximately a billion miles per second. The solo HR was his 3rd of the season. He’s locked in (and, on fire).

6. Lyle Overbay (1B) – He’s had a fantastic start to his season and he’s been locked in. 1-for-2 with 2 walks. He just seems unflappable this season. It’s a pleasure to watch.

7. Geoff Blum (LF) – He’s got such a calm presence on the field. Had an okay night at the plate (0-for-3 with a walk) but had a good night on the field, making some fine defensive plays. His familiarity with the field at Petco was evident. And, helpful.

8. Aaron Hill (2B) – Aaron Hill was 0-for-15 until the top of the 5th when he singled up the middle, scoring Lyle Overbay and breaking an 0-for-17 skid with runners in scoring position. AND, breaking a 12-inning scoreless streak. He also doubled later in the game – but, was left stranded.

9. Ian Kennedy (P) – This didn’t start off as his best start, giving up a run in the first inning and had runners on 1st and 2nd with no one out before striking out the next three batters, but the damage was done. He settled down nicely and gave up another 2 hits over the following 5 innings while collecting one walk and 9 strike outs. According to Jack Magruder (twitter link), that was the 10th time in his career he’d struck out 9. Four times against the Padres, three of those times occurring at Petco. At the plate, he didn’t have his best performance, bunting into a double play and then striking out during an attempted bunt attempt in the 7th inning. But, it didn’t really matter. His team (finally) picked him up offensively and this game was a gem. 6IP, 1BB, 9K, 1R.

9b. Brad Ziegler (RP) – Came in to pitch the 7th inning and had a miscommunication with Lyle Overbay and ended up flinging himself into the path of the oncoming Orlando Hudson to apply the tag. He generally looked sharper than in his previous outing, but still ended up walking his second batter, but got a K and a groundout to end with a clean inning.

9c. Bryan Shaw (RP) – Since David Hernandez wasn’t available for the 8th inning after last night’s game, the 8th belonged to Bryan Shaw. Bryan Shaw has been nothing short of spectacular.

9d. Ryan Roberts (PH) – Came in to pinch hit for the pitcher in the 9th. He’d warmed up to hit for Kennedy in the 7th, but Kennedy was sent out to lay down a bunt (ultimately unsuccessfully). He flew out to LF – but at least he didn’t join in the strikeout parade.

9e. JJ Putz (RP) – Nailed down the Padres 1-2-3 in the 9th inning with his 4th save of the year.

Score: 3-1, Diamondbacks win; Record 5-1 and no one was hit by a pitch!

Conclusion: As far as episodes of the Ian Kennedy show go, this one was a sparkler. 

image by flickr user - BaseballBacks (flickr.com/photos/baseball-backs/6081656674/)

Your game recap, brought to you in the form of the starting line-up. Game 2/162

1. Ryan Roberts (3B) – He was 0-for-3 in his first few plate appearances and eventually singled in the bottom of the 6th and made a wicked slide into 2nd to try to break up the double play that immediately followed. He wasn’t successful, but the effort was appreciated.

2. Aaron Hill (2B) – Homered in the first inning (solo HR) and then again in the 2nd (this time, Daniel Hudson was on base as well). 3 RBIs. 2-for-4 with 2 home runs… exactly the number he wears on his back.

3. Justin Upton (RF) – A good day offensively and defensively for the Dbacks’ 2011 MVP. 1-for-3 with a run scored and a walk.

4. Miguel Montero (C) – Wearing a microphone, it was a treat to listen to him make fun of Aaron Hill’s lack of height following his first homerun. And, poking Madison Bumgarner when he came to bat – “Don’t worry, it’s a long season.” (ie: Yes, we’re lighting you up.) Going from first to second on wild pitch is probably not something we’ll see too often from Miguel Montero. Because, while he is a very good catcher, he is still a catcher. And, he runs like one.

5. Chris Young (CF) – Doubled in the bottom of the first to drive in the 4th run of the game. Doubled in the bottom of the 5th to drive in a second run. 2RBI. He was drilled on the right hand in the bottom of the 7th. Between today and Miguel Montero being hit yesterday, this is not helping ease tensions between the Dbacks and the Giants.

6. Paul Goldschmidt (1B) – He got a little respect in the bottom of the first when he was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out to bring up Jason Kubel.

7. Jason Kubel (LF) – Showed why he’s an “offensive weapon” in the top of the 4th. I try to be positive around here, so I will say this once and then not say it again – Gerardo Parra would have made that catch off of Aubrey Huff in the top of the 4th. 0-for-3 with an intentional BB on the day. I’m willing to be that he’s had better days. Many of which, I hope, are still ahead of him in Sedona red.

7b. David Hernandez (RP) – Double switch. The pitcher’s spot was due up. He might as well go ahead and scribble his name in sharpie in the 8th inning. He continues to be a rock star.

7c. JJ Putz (RP) – Two 5-pitch at-bats ending with a swinging 3rd strike on his splitter. And, then a grounder and a footrace to first base between JJ Putz and Brandon Crawford. Thunderstruck.

8. John McDonald (SS) – Johnny Mac can play baseball. Watching him run out to left field to cover Jason Kubel is a thing of beauty. He also made a (another) sparkling play, causing everyone watching to remember why he has a job – an important one. When they walked Jason Kubel intentionally with 2 outs to bring him to the plate, he nearly was able to put a ball through the middle, but for a pretty excellent play by Crawford that for a force out of Kubel at 2nd (though, it was a nice, hard slide by Kubel in an attempt to force an error from Crawford).

9. Daniel Hudson (P) – Started off the day 2-for-2 (1 LOOOOONG and 1 regular single), tossing his hat into the ring early for a Silver Slugger repeat. In his third at-bat, he smashed a liner back to the pitcher and hustled his way up the first base line and nearly beat the throw. #PitchersWhoRake: Live it, learn it, love it. He had a really good game going, until he was pulled at 97-pitches following 6 2/3 innings: 5H, 4R(ER), 2BB, 4K and 2HR. It was the long-ball that did him in today, but overall he looked really good. Its the difference of a few bad pitches, but they were ill-timed.

9b. Bryan Shaw (RP) – He came in with 2 outs in the 7th (immediately following the Brett Pill home run) to get Angel Pagan. Mission accomplished.

9c. Gerardo Parra (LF) – Double switch. Came in (for the second day in a row) as a defensive replacement (in the 8th inning) – to a rather warm reception. Flew out to CF in the bottom of the 8th. It will be something to watch and see what happens to his batting average, coming off the bench. He may require a period of adjustment.

Score: 5-4, Diamondbacks win; Record 2-0 (Hit by pitch counter = 2)

Conclusion: With 2 homeruns, maybe Aaron Hill should consider changing his jersey number… let’s start with 3.

Ryan Roberts - image credit: Mark Winograd (WikiCommons)

1. Willie Bloomquist (SS) – In the lead-off spot had the first hit of the game in the bottom of the 1st. He also got on base again in the 7th with another single and was caught leaning the wrong way and picked off first by Guillermo Mota. Interestingly, there was a slo-mo analysis later in the inning that analyzed Mota’s pick-off move and, well, let’s just say that he’s going to have to be careful about who’s officiating when he pitches. That pick-off could have just as easily turned into a balk.

2. Chris Young (CF) – Batting in the second spot for the… first time under Kirk Gibson (he didn’t even play there during spring training) and only the second time in his career. He went 1-4, but he made it count. A long, 2-run home run in the top of the first. It might not be the last time we see CY in the 2-hole.

3. Justin Upton (RF) – 1-for-3 with a run scored, a walk and a strikeout. But, like Chris Young, he made it count. He ripped a ball into the LF corner that hopped into the crowd for a ground-rule double.

4. Miguel Montero (C) – 1-for-3 with a strikeout and a hit-by-pitch. That’s not going to do anything to calm the waters with an already heated rivalry. With Daniel Hudson pitching tomorrow, it’s probably for the best that Affeldt doesn’t come to bat.

5. Paul Goldschmidt (1B) – Number 5 agrees with him. In the first inning, he dealt the second big blow with a monster of a home run to LF. He went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and 2 runs scored. Good day.

6. Jason Kubel (LF) – He ended up going 0-for-3 on the night. He reached on an error (one of three by the Giants on the day) and had one strikeout. He was only really tested once in the field and it wasn’t a smooth play, but fortunately, even though Melky Cabrera ended up with a double, he didn’t come around to score.

6b. Gerardo Parra (LF) – As promised, Parra did make it into the game in the top of the 7th. He only had one ball hit his way – a routine grounder – and had one at-bat (a routine groundout). We’ll be seeing more of him in the next couple of days, I don’t doubt it.

7. Ryan Roberts (3B) – I made a joke on twitter that people should just start walking Ryan Roberts intentionally when he comes up with the bases loaded. And, it is a little hard to talk about a player being clutch. But, if anyone is clutch, its Ryan Roberts.

• With the bases loaded (15PA): 462 / .533 / .846 /1.379
• In the post-season (20PA): .350 / .350 / .700 / 1.050
• With a runner on third and 2 out (18PA): .400 / .500 / .867 / 1.367
• And, “late and close” (89PA): .347 / .455 / .542 / .996

And, he did it again tonight. He ground out and struck out in his first two at bats. But, when he came to bat with the bases loaded in a tie game in the bottom of the 6th, he picked a very good time for his first hit of the game. He went 1-for-4 (but reached on an error later in the game), but he was clutch tonight. And, as we saw at the end of this game, the Dbacks don’t win this game without him and his 2-RBI double.

8. Aaron Hill (2B) – Twice tonight (once on a throw from Justin Upton from RF and once while he was covering second), Aaron Hill had to practically levitate horizontally to stretch out and make a catch and save some runs. He may have gone 0-for-4, but he definitely saved a couple of runs in the 6th inning.

9. Ian Kennedy (P) – IPK wasn’t at his best today, but he harnessed it in and was able to pitch well enough to collect the W. 6.2IP, 9H, 3R/ER, 2B, 3K, 1HR. And, when you can collect your win, even when you’re not at your best, you must be doing something right.

9b. Joe Paterson (RP) – Joe Paterson came in with 2 outs, runners on first and second, and collected his first hold of the season after a 9 pitch duel with Aubrey Huff.

9c.David Hernandez (RP) – He owned the 8th inning last year and he owned it again tonight. He threw 9 pitches and collected 2 strikeouts and his curveball probably had more than a few people cursing on the San Francisco side of the field. And, its nice to see that the recent arrival of his second child might be keeping him up at night, but he hasn’t lost his edge.

9d. Geoff Blum (PH) – a brief pinch-hit strikeout in the 8th inning, but we’ll see more from him.

9e. JJ Putz (CL) – He came in in the 9th inning and made it more interesting than some Dbacks fans might have liked. He gave up 2 hits, 1 run, but closed it out, collected the save and started the Diamondbacks’ season off with a win and there’s no reason to complain.

Score: 6-5, Diamondbacks win; Record 1-0

Conclusion: Ryan Roberts – still clutch in 2012.

And, now we do it again tomorrow! See you then.