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Gameday Thread, #41: 5/15 vs. Rockies

Colorado @ Arizona


col_medium

Aaron Cook
RHP, 6-1, 2.26

Ari_medium

Brandon Webb
RHP, 8-0, 2.41

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

I'm thinking of closing the Byrnes/Hairton/Quentin watch, and possibly even banning the words "Carlos" and "Quentin" from the site, simply because we all know that at the moment, he is hitting better than Eric Byrnes. At this stage, repeating the fact really serves no useful or positive purpose - least of all, getting Byrnes back on track, which is what we want to happen. I like the phrase "Embrace the Suck" someone used in a comment: after all, Byrnes is not going anywhere so, good or bad, we might as well deal with it. Alternatively, I may just post this pic every time Q gets mentioned:

Deadhorse_medium

Moving on, looking forward to tonight's game: the series is already in the bag, and we've got a chance at the sweep with our ace on the mound. However, Webb is facing the Rockies' best pitcher this season, and Cook has been almost Webb-like, losing only one game in 2008. Should be fun, but Webb has beaten better pitchers this year. A victory would be Brandon's eleventh consecutive W, tying John Smoltz in 1996, for the longest such streak in the National League since Bob Gibson won twelve straight, during his brilliant 1968 season. Mind you, Gibson pitched complete games in every contest, and allowed just six earned runs over 108 innings, for a 0.50 ERA. Different times...

Elsewhere in the division, Dodgers already won, in an afternoon game against the Brewers; Padres lost to the Cubs; and the Giants went down to the Astros - Jose Valverde got his eleventh save there, and has now got his ERA down to a credible 4.15. This game will mark the end of the first quarter of the season, and if we can take the win, we'll have a 4.5 game lead in the division - I think we'd all have settled for that at the start of the year.

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Thank you

I was considering a post called “May we come to a concensus?” re Byrnes, Q and Hairston; with the body to suggest we all agree to agree that Byrnes is not hitting well, that Q and Hairston don’t play for us anymore; and then move on.

Your visual, however, says it all.

It's like living with a six-year old.

by 4 Corners Fan on May 15, 2008 8:26 PM EDT   0 recs

no comment

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 15, 2008 8:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Thread Recommended

For the picture alone.

"Look, I'm not a financial expert or anything, but I'm pretty sure that a zeppelin is an excellent investment opportunity."

by kishi on May 15, 2008 8:31 PM EDT   0 recs

Agreed..

The picture says it all :)

Argh as much as the NL East is owning us this year I did enjoy the early starts which is code for im damn tired and won’t make this one as usual :(

Hoping Webby can just make it same old same old and having Hudson back in the lineup will hopefully help from a defensive point of view anyway.

by Wimb on May 15, 2008 8:33 PM EDT   0 recs

Today’s lineup:

C. Young cf .250
S. Drew ss .276
O. Hudson 2b .288
J. Upton rf .326
C. Snyder c .278
M. Reynolds 3b .227
J. Salazar lf .316
C. Burke 1b .154
B. Webb p .125

J-Up is at #4, Snydes is in the 5 hole, Sally gets the nod in LF against the RHP Cook as Burke gets the start at 1b.

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

seriously?

Burke instead of Jackson, why? Does Burke have pictures of BoMel with a 15 year-old country singer?

by UofAZGrad on May 15, 2008 9:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Jackson

Hitless in 12 AB vs. Cook, while Burke is hitting .333. Oh, alright: he’s 1-for-3…

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And

I’ll tell you who owns Cook is Chris Snyder: 10-for-17!

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

ahh

explains the 5th spot in the order then.

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 15, 2008 10:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Not that you'd know it

From his first at-bat… :-(

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 10:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Those other guys:

R. Spilborghs cf .323
C. Barmes ss .337
M. Holliday lf .320
T. Helton 1b .284
B. Hawpe rf .250
C. Iannetta c .306
J. Baker 3b .209
J. Herrera 2b .333
A. Cook p .222

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:13 PM EDT   0 recs

I wish they would give

a first baseman’s glove to anybody but Burke. Chris’ versatility is nice and I don’t mind him on the roster, but the fact that he has more at bats than Augie and Salazar is simply apalling.

Or maybe we could just end this Robby Hammock charade altogether and call up Trot Nixon. Hammock has two at bats in the last sixteen games. He’s only played defense once and it was in a blow out.

Hell, if a third catcher is that important, why not bring up D’Antona who can be an emergency catcher.

by dahlian on May 15, 2008 9:18 PM EDT   0 recs

foulpole,

I am still eagerly awaiting your assessment on what BoMel’s decision to replace Byrnes instead Upton in the ninth inning of a one-run game means in regards to their relative defensive values.

True, Byrnes was the last out of the inning, but Upton would only be one spot higher in the order. I have to believe that if one player’s defense is a “9” and the other’s a “3.5”, that’s a small price to pay.

by dahlian on May 15, 2008 9:37 PM EDT   0 recs

umm

Upton has made some boneheaded mistakes but his defense is hardly a 3.5. His range and his arm make him at least a 6.5 taking into account his errors and lapses (understandable as he is playing out of position, is still pretty much a rookie and, oh yeah, is 20 years old). So fine, BoMel gives up Upton’s speed and arm to ensure that there won’t be a misplay of any ball put into play. That’s a risk/reward judgment and I defer to Melvin on that. But I think it is a lot closer of a call then you make out and Upton’s defense has attributes that only he can bring like his range and arm.

by UofAZGrad on May 15, 2008 9:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Just to clarify

I think that was in reference to Foulpole’s rating of our defense.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

hmm

When you put dahlian’s comment in context, my response makes me kind of a jackass. Thus, let’s agree to never put things in the proper context if it results in me looking foolish. You on board?

by UofAZGrad on May 15, 2008 9:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

I can only apologize. :-) Such are the perils of lengthy posts!

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

my upbringing

I wish I could be concise and pithy but long posts are in my blood. My mom sold 25 cent-words on the street corner just to put food on the table.

by UofAZGrad on May 15, 2008 9:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No biggy,

reading your post, I knew we were in agreement in spirit.

Sometimes people just can’t keep track of all the inter-poster history. Ignorance, in this instance, is probably something you should be proud of.

by dahlian on May 15, 2008 9:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

truth be told

I take pride in my ignorance in nearly every instance.

by UofAZGrad on May 15, 2008 10:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I believe you have just stated one of the founding principles of the Internet!

"Look, I'm not a financial expert or anything, but I'm pretty sure that a zeppelin is an excellent investment opportunity."

by kishi on May 16, 2008 1:26 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Checklist

1. Pizza
2. Soda
3. Laptop
4. Large-screen TV
5. Best pitcher in baseball

Yep, think I’m ready.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:39 PM EDT   0 recs

No Comprendo

I don’t believe Zito is pitching tonight. He is the best because he is the highest paid, right?

by UofAZGrad on May 15, 2008 9:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Sure

A hundred million Yankees fans nod their heads in agreement with that as a basic principle…

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Jim

Have you not learned anything about Yankees Fans. They never number more than a few dozen when the team is under .500. As soon as they have a division lead or a wild card spot, suddenly the lights turn off and the cockroaches pour out of the walls.

by UofAZGrad on May 15, 2008 10:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey.

That’s an insult to cockroaches.

by Azreous on May 15, 2008 10:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

true dat

At least roaches are up front about not having backbones.

by UofAZGrad on May 15, 2008 10:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Looks very quiet

At Chase tonight.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:40 PM EDT   0 recs

That’s one.

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Oh Man! Reynolds should have had that one.

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:42 PM EDT   0 recs

5-4-3! Sweet!

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:44 PM EDT   0 recs

No harm done

Immediate redemption as Reynolds starts the double-play round the horn. Webb faces the minimum and we’re good to go.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:44 PM EDT   0 recs

That Van Chevrolet

Advert featuring Randy Johnson is…almost disturbing.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:46 PM EDT   0 recs

I never thought

that Randy would actually look worse in civilian clothes.

by dahlian on May 15, 2008 9:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Do you remember

The deodorant advert he did a couple of years ago, lobbing dodgeballs at odor?

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I always thought

that was awesome…

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Vaguely

I don’t remember that commercial being as much of a mind####, which makes me think the director thankfully avoided any close up shots of The Unit.

I wonder if it being a national commercial forced it abide by the ICC’s more stringent regulations.

by dahlian on May 15, 2008 10:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Makeup.

National commercials can afford it.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Doesn't really disturb me.

Just makes me laugh, because, yeah… I’m SURE that Randy buys Chevys….

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

CY starts us off with a solid lead off single through the box!

Sweet!!!

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:47 PM EDT   0 recs

Young gets a hit

I think we’ll see motion on the basepaths, and Grace reckons so too.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:47 PM EDT   0 recs

And Wolf follows it up with a 0-2 single off the breaking ball!

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:48 PM EDT   0 recs

True that. dandy piece of hitting.

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, yes

RBI single for Hudson and we’ve got the lead. Three straight hits to begin the game. Still two on, but one in now…

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:49 PM EDT   0 recs

And the hits just keep on coming!

Solid ribby single the other way for O-Dawg!

Sweet!!!

first blood!

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:50 PM EDT   0 recs

now that's the top of the order cooking

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

by hotclaws on May 15, 2008 9:50 PM EDT   0 recs

My

Does this pizza taste really good, when accompanied by a side order of runs. :-)

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:50 PM EDT   0 recs

I gotta admit...

It’s really very nice to start innings off with hits strung together.

by Azreous on May 15, 2008 9:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Jupton Ks

Well, 1 out with 2 on.

by singaporedbacksfan on May 15, 2008 9:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Awful

Pitch selection by Upton there – swinging at a pitch that would have hit him for strike three!.He looked like a twenty-year old there…oh, hang on. :-)

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:53 PM EDT   0 recs

One of those times

when you can’t help but laugh at the kid.

Good thing is, the last time I had to laugh at something Upton did in a batter’s box, the next swing he took sent the ball four-hundred feet.

by dahlian on May 15, 2008 9:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Snyder GIDP

And thats the inning.. still good to have a run early.

by singaporedbacksfan on May 15, 2008 9:55 PM EDT   0 recs

That was a shame

Looked rather more promising before the K and the double-play. Still, we have the lead!

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 9:55 PM EDT   0 recs

I wash hoping for a little more out of our 1st. :-(

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:56 PM EDT   0 recs

Solid 1-2-3 for Webby there.

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 9:59 PM EDT   0 recs

Very

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 15, 2008 10:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Short and sweet

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

by hotclaws on May 15, 2008 10:00 PM EDT   0 recs

Wow

I think, to make it a fair fight, Webb should only be used to allow his sinker OR his change-up. :-)

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 10:03 PM EDT   0 recs

So....

Just finished dinner. How’s our ace looking? Will 1 run be enough?

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:04 PM EDT   0 recs

Reply.

Yum. Good. Probably not with the way the bullpen’s been.

by Azreous on May 15, 2008 10:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well,

he’ll just have to pitch another CG then.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

from the looks

of it so far, shouldn’t be an issue

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 15, 2008 10:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Burke!

Ground rule double!

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 15, 2008 10:04 PM EDT   0 recs

Hey!!

Burke with a ground rule 2B! First XBH of the yr!

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:04 PM EDT   0 recs

It’s very nice to see Burke smoke that double!

Sweet!

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 10:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Come on Webb!

Randy almost put one out the other day….

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 15, 2008 10:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Well, we got through the pitcher’s spot.

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 10:06 PM EDT   0 recs

So....

what’s different between the Rockies vs. Webb last year and the Rockies vs. Webb this year?

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:09 PM EDT   0 recs

The Diamondbacks are God’s team now?

by Azreous on May 15, 2008 10:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

change up?

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 15, 2008 10:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

he’s certainly got it down this year, but he had it last year too.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I fixed it for you

what’s different between the Rockies vs. Webb last year and the Rockies vs. Webb this year?

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 10:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

True,

but even early on last year, they were damned good vs. Webb, even when they sucked against everyone else.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Another 1-2-3. Webby can’t look much better than that.

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 10:12 PM EDT   0 recs

i dislike

work

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 15, 2008 10:12 PM EDT   0 recs

Buzz-saw

Minimum for Webb through three. 29 pitches to date.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 10:12 PM EDT   0 recs

Great hustle on that smoked three bagger for Wolf!!!

by foulpole on May 15, 2008 10:16 PM EDT   0 recs

triple

for drew

You can stand under my umbrella

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 15, 2008 10:16 PM EDT   0 recs

When did the majority of beer commercials go from

humorous situations and hot chicks to stupid and boring? (I’m looking at YOU, blind Miller Lite guy, looking at YOU, beer heaven, looking at YOU, any commercial bragging about Miller Lite and the World Beer Cup, looking at YOU, ANY commercial that ends by talking about “The Great American Lager”....)

That having been said, I still laugh at the commercials where the fat guy comes to take away the High Life.

/rant

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:16 PM EDT   0 recs

More taste! Less filling!

Yeah, I liked that one. :-)

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 10:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I get it.

It’s just retarded.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm looking at you

any commercial that uses the phrase “Man law”.

by dahlian on May 15, 2008 10:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

See,

I thought the man law ones were funny too.

Max Scherzer is all out of bubblegum.

by DbacksSkins on May 15, 2008 10:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The feminist in me

hates all of those commercialls that speak of “Manly men” and the things they do. It’s not even feminism, just anti-stereotypes of masculinity-ism.

I’m also looking at you, Burger King “I am man” commercials.

by dahlian on May 15, 2008 10:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And while we're at it

The KFYI adverts make it seem that if you aren’t listening to the station, the terrorists have won.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2008 10:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs