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Diamondbacks 2, Dodgers 1 - Old-Fashioned Pitchers' Duel

I didn't see last week's Brandon Webb vs Derek Lowe Matchup 1.0, but I know from the result that we all probably liked tonight's Matchup 2.0 a lot better!! Wow. The billing for tonight's matchup was right on, two amazing sinkerballer pitchers working their stuff and matching each other toe-to-toe... who would blink first?

Outs were easy to come by tonight, and both offenses were stifled early on. The Diamondbacks had more scoring opportunities in the beginning, with Drew getting on to start the inning in the 1st and 6th, and Romero with a leadoff hit in the 3rd, followed by another hit by Drew, who ended the night 3-for-4. Sadly, all those runners were stranded. Juan Pierre notched the first hit for the Dodgers in the 4th and was promptly erased by a double -play. Both pitchers were just over 60 pitches after 5 innings and showed no sign of letting up.

The Dodgers played small ball in the 6th to score their first and only run. A leadoff single by Juan Pierre again allowed Matt Kemp to extend his hitting streak to 18 games on a perfect hit-and-run. A strange groundout to Orlando Hudson allowed Pierre to score from 3rd base, but a great catch by Tracy got Webb out of the inning with only the one run coming across. Webb had blinked, but it was Game On for the Diamondbacks.

I would like to point out that it was at this point that I said: We can manage to score two pretty soon... riiiight? And, what do you know... they did!! Conor Jackson started the 7th inning with a nice double to left, and by not getting picked off at second base (boy that was close), Chad Tracy moved him to 3rd and he scored on Mark Reynolds' double down into the right field corner! Chris Snyder put a gorgeous swing on a baseball to loop it into right-center field, allowing Reynolds to score. Just like that, the Diamondbacks were leading 2-1, and Lowe was very unhappily out after 87 pitches! Hong-Chih Kuo finished up the 7th and the 8th, taking care of the Diamondbacks fairly easily, needing only 20 pitches for his five outs.

Brandon Lyon may have come in to nail down the save in the 9th, but the real save of the game goes to the duo of Conor Jackson and Chris Snyder for their great defensive play in the bottom of the 8th. (Personally, I'm giving more props to Snydes.) With one out and runners on second and third, Matt Kemp lined a ball into left that Jackson had to come in and over to catch. He then fired the ball back into home, and though the throw was up the line and came behind Snyder, Snydes managed to reach back and tag Andre Ethier on the neck split-seconds before Ethier's hand touched the plate!! Seriously folks, you have to see this play, I know it'll be on Sports Center's Top 10 all night long. It was bang-bang, and home plate umpire Angel Hernandez was right on with the call and there was no argument from Ethier.

With that, the threat was over. The 9th inning was verrry quiet in the thread as we all held our breath and crossed our fingers, but we really had nothing to worry about. After all, the worst that could happen was the tying run on first with Andruw Jones at the plate, right?? Piece of cake!! Dodger fans were torn - they had to cheer for him, that is until he lined out to none other than Conor Jackson to end the game and the boo birds spread their wings and poured it down on Jones. Aaah, nothing like the smell of victory against the NL West rival Dodgers with Mr. Apathetic himself closing it out for us.

[Click to enlarge, in new window]
Master of his domain: Brandon Webb, +43.0%
Honorable mention: Chris Snyder, +11.3% (he deserves so much more for his defense)
God-emperor of suck: Chris Young, -20.8%

Nice, lively Gameday Thread tonight... I guess it didn't slow down too badly for everyone, since it was very nearly up to 650! Heh, sorry, I think we all got wrapped up in waiting for that 9th inning! Present in tonight's thread were: snakecharmer, Wimb, Shums (you're bringing us luck...), utahdbacksfan, UofAZGrad, Zephon, Muu, foulpole, hotclaws, 4 Corners Fan, Captain D Bag, Scrbl, TwinnerA, Snakebitten, soco, DbacksSkins, luckycc, DodgerBlueBalls (thanks for stopping by!), unnamedDBacksfan, mrssoco, kishi, AJforAZ, the mystical one, srdmad, AF DBacks Fanatic, dahlian, emilylovesthedbacks, and singaporedbacksfan.

Tomorrow is a late start, 7:40pm, and pits Randy Johnson against Clayton Kershaw, who I believe I heard wasn't even 6 months old when the Big Unit made his major league debut. It should also feature the Dodger debut of Manny Ramirez, who was traded at the deadline today. Talk about an interesting game! Catch ya'll tomorrow, folks.

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I thought about making an overflow thread at one point, but I didn’t want to disrupt the mojo. =)

That was just a great game.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 2:02 AM EDT   0 recs

notes from yahoo's wrap:

Before the game, the Dodgers and Diamondbacks had both won or lost on the same day for eight straight games beginning July 23. …

Will Hope Prevail?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 1, 2008 2:04 AM EDT   0 recs

Arizona manager Bob Melvin used the same batting order (Nos. 1-8) for the second straight game. He has used 93 different lineups through 108 games

Will Hope Prevail?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 1, 2008 2:05 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The Diamondbacks have a 28-13 record against NL West foes and a 28-39 mark otherwise. They won the division last year by going 36-36 against NL West opponents and 54-36 otherwise.

Will Hope Prevail?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 1, 2008 2:05 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks! Interesting stuff, that...

Especially losing and winning on the same day for 8 games!

by snakecharmer on Aug 1, 2008 2:08 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

But

the NL West was a lot better last year

by Snakebitten on Aug 1, 2008 2:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Chris Young

Interestingly, CY has alternated being “master” and “sucker” for the last 4 games according to the Fan Graph.

by TwinnerA on Aug 1, 2008 2:56 AM EDT   0 recs

For those who'd like to see The Play

I’ve got a video up at my blog: Link, just scroll down to the video.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 2:56 AM EDT   0 recs

I liked CoJack

after that play. He was running back to the dugout like Jimmy Valvano trying to find a hug after an awesome play. It was fun to see him being so ecstatic about the play.

formerly Seton Hall Snake Pit. The newer simpler version.

by AJforAZ on Aug 1, 2008 8:31 AM EDT   0 recs

[Yawn...]

Many thanks, ‘Charmer, for the wrap-up! I got up early so I could get caught up, but I think I’ll go get an extra 30 minutes in bed. :-) I only got to see the very last out, as Jones flew harmlessly to Jackson, but we were listening on the radio in the car, for The Play, and THAT was quite incredible. Truly game-saving, and great work by all concerned. Crucial to get the series off to a good start. Hopefully, we can build upon it tonight.

by Jim McLennan on Aug 1, 2008 10:14 AM EDT   0 recs

Sidewinders update. . . .

I’ll just throw this out there – Micah Owings’ first gametime with Tucson came last night. . . .as a pinch-hitter. He struck out swinging in the 9th. He hasn’t pitched yet.

Also Max Scherzer struck out 7 in a 3 inning start and has been severely restricted in IP – he hasn’t thrown over 3 IP in his last 4 appearances. Oddly, he was sent out to sacrifice bunt in the 4th and then promptly yanked.

by golfmanthee on Aug 1, 2008 11:29 AM EDT   0 recs

Oh, 1 more thing. . ..

I noticed that Jeff Salazar cleared waivers and re-signed with Tucson – he went 1-3 with an RBI and a walk alst night.

by golfmanthee on Aug 1, 2008 11:30 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

One final thought

Who was the umpire at home plate last night? The much-maligned Angel Hernandez. Getting that call right boosted him quite a few notches in my esteem… There was a great pic of the tag on the front of the Republic sports section this morning:
http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/commphotos/view.php?id=177162
Beautiful. Just beautiful.

by Jim McLennan on Aug 1, 2008 11:52 AM EDT   0 recs

I was scared . . .

that the umpire was going to call him safe and was so happy that for once goll darnit somebody else was called out at the plate!

by TwinnerA on Aug 1, 2008 12:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Fantastic picture

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 1:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

May I

simply note again that Chris Snyder rocks?

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 1, 2008 12:42 PM EDT   0 recs

Also

it’s nice to know that now, even if the Doggers take the series, the best they can do is tie us for 1st.

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 1, 2008 12:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Nope

Four game series- the one thing we’re certain of is that we won’t end up in a tie.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 1:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh...

wasn’t aware that it’s a four game series.

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 1, 2008 2:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, now you know.

And knowing is half the battle!

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 2:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Because

knowledge is power!

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 2, 2008 12:47 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yesterday was Thursday

They don’t play just Thursday – Saturday. ;)

by snakecharmer on Aug 1, 2008 2:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He’s in the Southern Hemisphere- I think the week runs backward there. =)

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 2:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Nope,

just the toilets.

Which is actually really cool, by the way—with apologies to Bart Simpson.

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 2, 2008 12:47 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Another thing

Chris Young continues his streak of alternatig being the master of his domain and God-emporor of suck every other game for the past 5 games. I guess that means he will be master tonight!

by TwinnerA on Aug 1, 2008 12:52 PM EDT   0 recs

On an unrelated matter...

I found this shocking news story.(Link opens in new window)

Dear Josh Byrnes: Please DFA Chris Burke. He can't hit, and probably never will.

by Zephon on Aug 1, 2008 1:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Beats that bus ride in Canada...

Did you hear about that guy who randomly attacked another passenger and cut his head off?

Will Hope Prevail?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 1, 2008 1:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I heard about that on CNN yesterday

Insanity. Simple as that.

Dear Josh Byrnes: Please DFA Chris Burke. He can't hit, and probably never will.

by Zephon on Aug 1, 2008 1:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was just a simple misunderstanding

The guy just misheard his shrink’s suggestion that he needed to move ahead .

Sorry. :-)

by Jim McLennan on Aug 1, 2008 1:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

::rimshot::

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 1, 2008 2:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Try the veal...

The guy did have a criminal record. He was a convicted hacker…

by Jim McLennan on Aug 1, 2008 2:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Only two ounces?

The police clearly weren’t trying very hard…

by Jim McLennan on Aug 1, 2008 2:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No Jim,

It’s the one ounce for you, two ounces for me thing cops play.

Will Hope Prevail?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 1, 2008 2:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Funniest thing I’ve heard about the Manny Ramirez trade today- someone wrote into ESPN Radio with an e-mail saying that Manny would be a good role model for the young players on the Dodgers.

Oh, yeah, between Manny and Andruw, they’ll have some great attitudes to look up to.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 2:06 PM EDT   0 recs

Devin....

it was you, wasn’t it?

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 2, 2008 12:48 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No

But I almost wish it had been- that was high comedy.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 2, 2008 1:50 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

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