Colorado @ Arizona GameThread, Apr 11, 2008 9:40 PM EDT

Gameday Thread, #10: 4/11 vs. Rockies

by Jim McLennan on Apr 11, 2008 8:00 PM EDT

Colorado @ Arizona

Jeff Francis
LHP, 0-1, 7.11

Brandon Webb
RHP, 2-0, 2.08

Baseball-Reference.com preview [opens in new window]

Hey, didn't we play these guys last weekend, too? Understandable if you've forgotten, since they didn't exactly provide much of a challenge then. In Colorado's defense, they did sweep Atlanta, and actually managed to score more than four runs in the final game of the series! [You, at the back - stop laughing into your hand]. But even after the sweep, half the regular Orckies lineup is batting .231 or worse.

Got to feel good about this one, having smacked about Francis in our first encounter with him, and also with Brandon Webb on the mound. Webb laid the myth to rest last time out that he couldn't beat Colorado, and we'll be looking to him as a major component in helping extend our winning streak further. Be nice to see Chris Young settle back down after a tough couple of games against the Dodgers, going 1-for-11 with six strikeouts on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Interesting fact for the day. Orlando Hudson has started his season off by managing 41 plate-appearances this year without striking out, most in the majors. His overall streak, including two games last year, is now 50 plate-appearances and eleven games. Still got someway to go, to catch up with record holder Joe Sewell, who avoided fanning in 115 consecutive games in 1929, or even Ichiro's modern mark, from 1997, of 216 K-less at-bats in a row.

Minor note. Attendance for first three home games this year: 101,361. First three home games [also a Mon-Wed] last year: 82.562, so we're about 22% up. Obviously, a bit of a difference in opponents, between the Reds (2007) and the Dodgers (2008); however, we are playing the Rockies in the second home series of both seasons, over a weekend, so this'll be an interesting comparison. Total for the three games last year was just below 70,000.

Not sure what we're doing tonight. Should be about for a good bit, but not sure how much commenting will be in order. I'm sure someone will start the overflow thread if necessary...

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The Rockies? Again?

Seriously, between playing them 76 times in Spring Training (real number, not made up) and playing 18 of our first 25 games against them (again, not made up) I think I'm starting to get a little jaded about playing the Rockies.

"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."

by kishi on Apr 11, 2008 8:11 PM EDT 0 recs

This time

you guys will have the bloody lip (and a broken Webb).

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ on Apr 11, 2008 8:17 PM EDT 0 recs

I'm sorry

But I can't take anyone with the same name as the Giant Manatee seriously. He has officially ruined my relationship with everyone named "Russ" forever.

But still, whatever your name is. I think you can talk threateningly, but let's see how it goes in real life.

by bcloirao on Apr 11, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

That's all you've got? No "We will, we will Rockies you"?

Well, it's still early in the season. I guess you're still working towards mid-season smack talk form. =)

"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."

by kishi on Apr 11, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hopefully it's improved since the last time

the Rockheads tried to invade.

The boys in Sedona Red slugged it out with a pretty pesky poltergeist, then stayed on to dance the night away with some of the lovely ladies who witnessed the disturbance.

by soco on Apr 11, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Gonna be gone most of tonight.

As things are still completely haywire at work, I'm doing interviews for job positions in the fall. Might be around off and on.

by Azreous on Apr 11, 2008 8:23 PM EDT 0 recs

Lineup

1. Young, CF
2. Byrnes, LF
3. Hudson, 2B
4. Jackson, 1B
5. Reynolds, 3B
6. Upton, RF
7. Snyder, C
8. Drew, SS
9. Webb, P

Why mess with a good thing?

by The Main Man on Apr 11, 2008 8:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Brynes in the second spot seems to be better for him

not great, but at least he doesn't feel like he needs to go yard every time. Now if Chris Young would go back to just trying to get on base instead of trying to hit a Fatburger Home Run, we might be in business.

The boys in Sedona Red slugged it out with a pretty pesky poltergeist, then stayed on to dance the night away with some of the lovely ladies who witnessed the disturbance.

by soco on Apr 11, 2008 8:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

Definitely

Byrnes has been doing a lot better since they moved him. I apologize to the Mad Scientist for my questioning of his mad methods.

"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."

by kishi on Apr 11, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

He's still to blame for the Music City Miracle

The boys in Sedona Red slugged it out with a pretty pesky poltergeist, then stayed on to dance the night away with some of the lovely ladies who witnessed the disturbance.

by soco on Apr 11, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Jupton in the 6 spot.

Drew moved back to 8. Must be intimidating for other teams to see Stephen Drew hitting 8th.

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

A LHP on the hill for the Rockies could have something to do with it.

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

soco's keys to the game

1) Eat a delicious dinner, perhaps Chinese food or pizza
2) Drink a couple brewskis
3) Wonder how Dominick Hasek is still playing and whether hockey is worth getting back into
4) Dessert?

The boys in Sedona Red slugged it out with a pretty pesky poltergeist, then stayed on to dance the night away with some of the lovely ladies who witnessed the disturbance.

by soco on Apr 11, 2008 8:37 PM EDT 0 recs

+1

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Today's line up:

Stats are career vs. Francis ave/ob%/slg%

C. Young cf 250/308/750
E. Byrnes lf 200/200/320
O. Hudson 2b 286/318/476
C. Jackson 1b 370/433/889
M. Reynolds 3b 600/600/700
J. Upton rf 500/500/1000
C. Snyder c 217/345/348
S. Drew ss 333/385/333
B. Webb p 000/111/000

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 8:38 PM EDT 0 recs

Wow

sample size be damned. It's either sink or swim against Francis when it comes to slugging. Thanks for the legwork foulpole.

by AZSEAfan on Apr 11, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

You're welcome. It is a small sample but it's the only sample we have. ;-)

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

Those other guys:

stats are career vs. Webby

ave/op%/slg%

W. Taveras cf 333/364/333
T. Tulowitzki ss 158/273/211
T. Helton 1b 302/464/585
M. Holliday lf 250/277/364
B. Hawpe rf 350/438/750
G. Atkins 3b 188/212/219
Y. Torrealba c 190/208/238
J. Nix 2b o ab
J. Francis p ?

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 8:44 PM EDT 0 recs

I just

wanted to stop by and say hi during the game thread on the off chance that Jim will list me as being in attendance in tomorrow wrap-up. Go Dbacks...go M's!

by AZSEAfan on Apr 11, 2008 8:53 PM EDT 0 recs

Hey all, lookin forward to a good game tonight!

by jsk6788 on Apr 11, 2008 9:08 PM EDT 0 recs

'Evening, all!

I'm having a bit of nauseous so I'm not sure how much energy I'll have tonight. I'm betting we have a LOT of activity tonight! :)

Mmm now I want a pop-tart...

by snakecharmer on Apr 11, 2008 9:15 PM EDT 0 recs

Segues are for losers

I like corn.

The boys in Sedona Red slugged it out with a pretty pesky poltergeist, then stayed on to dance the night away with some of the lovely ladies who witnessed the disturbance.

by soco on Apr 11, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

Red Sux

getting destroyed by Wang tonight. 70 pitches 7 innings 1 hit

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Apr 11, 2008 9:26 PM EDT 0 recs

The Suns @ Rockets is is a pretty good game so far but the D-backs are due up in about 10 minutes. It's a tough time of year to be a fan of the AZ teams.

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:31 PM EDT 0 recs

I read that as Suns @ Rockies

that would be hilarious to see.

The boys in Sedona Red slugged it out with a pretty pesky poltergeist, then stayed on to dance the night away with some of the lovely ladies who witnessed the disturbance.

by soco on Apr 11, 2008 9:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

So did I!

I was all, what sport are you watching?

by snakecharmer on Apr 11, 2008 9:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

Suns@Rockies ,on ice

would be hilarious

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Apr 11, 2008 9:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

+1

by jsk6788 on Apr 11, 2008 9:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well, on the court I would think that the Suns would bury the Rockies but on the ball field I would give the nod to the Rockies.

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

i dunno

I bet Yao could play a mean first base. Talk about a stretch

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Apr 11, 2008 9:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ohhh.... ITZ AWWWNN!!!

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Cool. I have the AZ feed tonight!

Play ball!!

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:40 PM EDT 0 recs

Damn right.

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

1 pitch, 1 out.

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:40 PM EDT 0 recs

1 pitch

1 out,that's the business!

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Apr 11, 2008 9:41 PM EDT 0 recs

yawn

well its 2:41am and I have to be up early so I'm gunna give the game a miss, but a good start and go D'Backs :)

by Wimb on Apr 11, 2008 9:41 PM EDT 0 recs

3 pitches, 2 outs.

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:41 PM EDT 0 recs

Dbacks returning the favor

Since the dbacks are doing a 10 year anniversary celebration all weekend, it is kind of returning the favor no?

I mean, the Dbacks are celebrating 10 years total, 8 of those finishing either tied (1 time) or ahead (7 times) of the Rockies and winning the West 4 times to the Rockies none.

Its not quite as in your face as last weekends celebration, but in a way it is a slam.

....Yes I realize I am reaching, but the Dbacks have owned the Rockies for nearly a decade (except for those damn 4 games last October....haha)

by peeklay on Apr 11, 2008 9:42 PM EDT 0 recs

A 5 pitch 1st for Webby.

It doesn't get much better than that.

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:42 PM EDT 0 recs

Piece of cake

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Apr 11, 2008 9:43 PM EDT 0 recs

soco's dessert obviously.

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Apr 11, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

I was wondering where it went.

The boys in Sedona Red slugged it out with a pretty pesky poltergeist, then stayed on to dance the night away with some of the lovely ladies who witnessed the disturbance.

by soco on Apr 11, 2008 10:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

::Rimshot::

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

O-dawg's defense

is simply spectacular.

by snakecharmer on Apr 11, 2008 9:43 PM EDT 0 recs

eager Rox

Wow, that was a display of eagerness. I haven't seen that since I played MLB 2k8 with an all Eric Byrnes lineup....

by peeklay on Apr 11, 2008 9:43 PM EDT 0 recs

Dayamn....

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 9:44 PM EDT 0 recs

And... GATKINS FAILS.

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 9:45 PM EDT 0 recs

5 pitches

if he doesn't pick it up he'll be done by the 5th. He's overworking himself.

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Apr 11, 2008 9:45 PM EDT 0 recs

IF single for CY to start our 1st.

Sweet!

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:45 PM EDT 0 recs

Somebody pointed out on the PR thread....

....that the first pitch was at 7:40, (their time) and the top of the 1st was done by 7:42.

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 9:47 PM EDT 0 recs

thats what i get for my EB blast. I will talk s**t all night now....nice hit EB

by peeklay on Apr 11, 2008 9:48 PM EDT 0 recs

nice start

2 hits

Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.

by seton hall snake pit on Apr 11, 2008 9:48 PM EDT 0 recs

Bam Bam follows it up with a solid single to LF. Nice start.

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 9:48 PM EDT 0 recs

C'mon O-Dawg!

Need another early lead here.... Francis may not suck ALL night...

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 9:48 PM EDT 0 recs

Bam Bam

Bams one too

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Apr 11, 2008 9:48 PM EDT 0 recs

Damn. Grounder.

Nice slide by Bam Bam.

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 11, 2008 9:49 PM EDT 0 recs

He does like to get dirty!

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Apr 11, 2008 9:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Have there been futrher talks?

I haven't heard anything and I am assuming there haven't been, but have the Dbacks and Hudson talked deal recently? I heard he wants Utley $$, I wonder if they will make a play or let him go.

by peeklay on Apr 11, 2008 9:49 PM EDT 0 recs

I haven't heard anything. I'm not sure that he's in the budget but it sure would be a shame to see him go.

by foulpole on Apr 11, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up 0 recs