Diamondbacks 4, Padres 5: Qualls for Concern
by Jim McLennan on Aug 27, 2008 7:18 PM EDT
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PrintRecord: 68-65. Pace: 83-79. Change on last season: -6
Magic number: 27. Playoffs odds: 69.8%
There isn't much I can add to the above, posted in a paroxysm of rage after the game this afternoon. Harsh? Perhaps. But I've had enough of the failings of a relief corps that's a huge part of why Arizona has lost fifteen games where we were leading after six innings. That's tied for most in the majors, with the Cardinals; the Dodgers have only ten; the Cubs, just four and the Rays, three. Here are the win percentages for the Diamondbacks when leading after each inning, compared to the overall major-league average:
| Leading After |
AZ Win % |
MLB Win % |
| 1st | .727 | .679 |
| 2nd | .733 | .696 |
| 3rd | .735 | .739 |
| 4th | .727 | .775 |
| 5th | .781 | .817 |
| 6th | .786 | .854 |
| 7th | .870 | .906 |
| 8th | .955 | .955 |
What this shows is a particular struggle holding leads in the sixth through eighth innings, and it's the seventh inning where we fall down most - both compared to the rest of baseball, and to the Diamondbacks performance last year, where we had a win percentage of .890 when leading after six innings, more than a hundred points better. Put another way: in 2007, we won almost nine out of ten games where we finished the sixth ahead; this season, we are barely above three in four. Today was the twenty-second loss of the year for the bullpen, and they've now dropped eight straight decisions since their last victory, forty-one games ago on July 10.
Today, Chad Qualls picked up his major-league leading eighth loss in relief, coming in with a 4-3 lead and allowing two runs on three hits. The problem with such late deficits is, it gives Arizona basically no chance to come back, all the Padres needed to do to swipe this one is send Hoffman in, and he promptly retired the Diamondbacks in order, striking out the side. Game over, and we get swept by the same Padres side we swept back in Phoenix.
The offense basically only showed up in the sixth inning, where we had the majority of our nine hits, and all of our runs. There were RBI for Reynolds, Montero, Young and Johnson - the last-named had two hits in the game, the first time the Big Unit has done that since September 2003. Adam Dunn and Young also had two hits of their own, while Chris Burke reached on a pair of walks. However, we failed to do much in the other eight innings, not helped by Conor Jackson getting picked-off second base with one out in the fourth, and that came round to bite us, despite having a 4-0 lead at the seventh-inning stretch.
On the mound, Johnson was sublime up until that point, but surrendered three runs in the bottom of the seventh, the results of a triple, a single and a homer. Though it's now basically certain he won't reach 300 wins this season, it's hard to combine when the Big Unit gave Arizona his eighth quality start in a row. It says something about the Diamondbacks offense, that Randy's streak is only good enough to net him four victories, as Johnson received better than four runs of support only once in those eight outings, and has averaged just 2.9 per game. Today, it was three runs in seven innings, on five hits and just one walk, with nine strikeouts.
[Click to enlarge, in new window]
Master of his domain: Randy Johnson, +14.2%
God-emperor of suck: Chad Qualls, -51.8%
Dishonorable mention: Stephen Drew, -15.8%
An understandably-frustrated Gameday Thread, brightened for about an inning and half, then returning to the gloom whence it came. Thanks to 'charmer for getting it up there, as I got bogged-down at work: on the whole, however, it might have been better if she hadn't bothered! Present were kishi, DbacksSkins, snakecharmer, 4 Corners Fan, srdmad, Wimb, Azreous, unnamedDBacksfan, TwinnerA, jaydubsped, azwebber17 and Gravity.
At least the Dodgers lost, going down by a single run to the even-more woeful Nationals for the second day in a row. But don't look now: as a result of recent suckage by ourself and Los Angeles, the Rockies have picked up 3.5 games since Saturday, so are now only 5.5 games back. And at time of writing, Colorado are 1-0 up in the sixth against San Francisco, with Lincecum being out-duelled by - of all people! - Livan Hernandez. Welcome to Bizarro World!
An off-day tomorrow, so at least we can't lose. Hopefully the Dodgers will, fulfilling my expectations that they would do as well against Washington, as we did against San Diego. Each of us getting swept....not exactly what I had in mind with that prediction, admittedly. Here's hoping the team can come back to Phoenix and get their mojo rising in time for the weekend.
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Steaming pile of crap.
Yeah, that’s our bullpen, pretty much.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
It's a start...
I don’t know whether to hope any more, or just get the Dodgers to win ten in a row and put us our of our misery.
by Jim McLennan on Aug 27, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm against that
I mean, as long as Manny and Torre are sitting at home in the playoffs, I’m happy.
"Only one thing is gonna walk you through this, Mal. Belief."
by kishi on Aug 27, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 27, 2008 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Awww no...
We know you don’t really (normally) feel that way… the sucktitude is starting to get to all of us. “[We’re] just lulling [them] into a false sense of security.” (Quote for 2 points.. anybody…) Our boys will shape up in time to crush them this weekend.
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe the Orks
in Colorado will step up and take the division. Two steps forward, four steps back.
Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong.
by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 27, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions
Like I said
As long as the Dodgers don’t win it…
"Only one thing is gonna walk you through this, Mal. Belief."
It WOULD
be the first time Colorado’s ever won a division.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 27, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
What drives me absolutely nuts is the number of times
this team has gone out and snatches defeat from the jaws of victory, but very rarely has it done the opposite.
Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong.
by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 28, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Funny...
I swear I saw a score like that earlier today… hmmmm how did it turn out, I wonder…
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it wrong that I feel slightly more comfortable in watching the Nationals bullpen try to protect a one run lead than I do our bullpen?
Granted, that’s probably because I know nothing about their bullpen.
"Only one thing is gonna walk you through this, Mal. Belief."
Ignorance is bliss, perhaps?
Or perhaps it is that we simply have more faith in the Dodgers’ ability to implode?
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Ugh
Okay, not so comfortable now that I’ve looked it up and found out that Washington has the worst save conversion rate in the league. They have 23 saves and 23 blown saves in 46 opportunities.
"Only one thing is gonna walk you through this, Mal. Belief."
See!
What’d I tell you, ignorance is bliss!! ;)
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I should have listened
Now I know, and knowing is half the battle terrifying!
"Only one thing is gonna walk you through this, Mal. Belief."
Most of those saves
were probably blown by Jon Rauch. ;-)
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 27, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Boni boy doesn't help his former team
Errant throw to first on what would’ve been a DP… of course, Kemp would’ve been erased a few pitches sooner had Dukes been able to move two inches back to his right to catch a foul ball…
Dukes just made up for that error!!
A running catch to flag down Kent’s would-be RBI double to end the inning! Wheeeew!
I love taking hits and runs away from Dodgers, but especially that one.
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I blame kishi
for discovering that their bullpen sucks at the same time the Dodgers did!
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Which doesn’t do any good with the next guy getting a walk.
Acta does not look happy as he goes out to make yet another pitching change/double switch.
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
phew
that was scary bases juiced with 1 out they got out of it tho alright lets get some insurance runs nats
If we get lucky and they lose tomorrow, we’re still 3 games up going into the weekend. if they win, we’ve only lost a half a game. However, CO is only 5 and 1/2 games behind us now.
I think
They’d be 3.5 behind us if they lose again? They’re three back currently, as per here, after their sixth loss in a row.
by Jim McLennan on Aug 27, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Oopha, my bad
Four losses in a row for us, 6 for them. They seem to be getting hits but not the timely hits. Our MO, the opposing pitcher has a no-hitter going through 5 innings.
This has to be one of the most inept playoff chase I think…
by singaporedbacksfan on Aug 27, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply actions
It is pathetic
that we have to watch our team lose and then root for them to lose too. This is draining.
No
The other foulpole.
It’s complicated. :-)
by Jim McLennan on Aug 27, 2008 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Fake foulpole.
The one who was actually responding to me last night.
Real foulpole, presumably, is still on the loose…
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 27, 2008 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
So would be foulpole, if he knew what was going on!
But since he doesn’t read anything….
See yesterday’s recap roll-call and discussion about “foulpoie”. :)
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I saw that
but then I wasn’t sure if it was him coming back, and I was like, “he’s banned?” and then I got even more confused.
What's for dinner, mum? Heinz Baked Beans.
Heh, sadly no
The doppelganger is banned and the person who did it was warned.
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
So, is it bad if we start watching the Rockies now?
They (with Livo) are behind the Giants (with Lincecum) 1-0 after 5.1..
Gah, AHEAD of the Giants
That was wishful thinking speaking…
by snakecharmer on Aug 27, 2008 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Eh....
what’s the bigger threat? That the Rockies come from behind to win the division, or that Lincecum comes from behind to win the Cy Young?
I’ll take the Rox lighting up Lincecum at this point….
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 27, 2008 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Hm
I’d take Lincecum getting Cy Young if meant the Diamondbacks went to the playoffs.
What's for dinner, mum? Heinz Baked Beans.
End of the sixth
Rockies still 1-0 up, thanks to F. Lewis flied into double play center to catcher, D. Roberts out at home.
by Jim McLennan on Aug 27, 2008 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
You're implying
that you’re actually worried about the Rockies taking the division?
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 27, 2008 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm implying
that I’d rather Lincecum take the Cy Young if meant the Diamondbacks went to the playoffs.
What's for dinner, mum? Heinz Baked Beans.
I'd rather the Dbacks win the division too.
But they’re not really related. I only juxtaposed them with an interest in figuring out who to root for.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, come to think of it....
….this IS baseball. Everything in the universe is related. Whether or not the Dbacks win on Friday MAY rest on whether or not I have another piece of pizza right now.
Hmmm…. I’m gonna hold off.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Ugh
that reminds me of those terrible Aquafina commercials.
What's for dinner, mum? Heinz Baked Beans.
Hmm?
Do tell!
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Essentially
it starts with an Aquafina Announcer talking about some random fact and then connecting it somehow to baseball or the Diamondbacks:
Baseball’s leagues have expanded over time. So has the universe. Therefore, as baseball expands, so does the universe.
And then another announcer comes on to say that Aquafina doesn’t believe this but they do believe they’re the official water of the Diamondbacks.
What's for dinner, mum? Heinz Baked Beans.
Yeah.....
that DOES sound lame.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh really?
I’ll keep that in mind on Friday.
"Only one thing is gonna walk you through this, Mal. Belief."
Yeah. Me and my big mouth.
Or…. big fingers, or something.
But, as everyone at SPF knows, I do have a big mouth, so….
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
After 135 games last year
They were six back of us and finished one-half game back. If things stay as they are, after 135 games this year, they’ll only be five games back…
Sure, it’d take a phenomenal finish like they did last season, but don’t forget, six of our last nine games are against the Rockies. Might make the final weekend series against Colorado kinda interesting!
by Jim McLennan on Aug 27, 2008 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Well....
we ARE 10-2 against them. If the division is on the line, I would almost rather face them at the end of the season than any other team — as one astute Gaslamp Baller pointed out, the Padres may be the worst team in the league, (quite possibly) but they’re also the NL West team to give us the most trouble. We finish the season 10-8 vs. San Diego.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
The Diamondbacks
are making me glad I have night classes this semester
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
And Jim
I have never learned so much from a single picture. I logged on to the Snakepit, thinking “let’s see how the D-Backs did today.” Then “Splat!” I knew.
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
A picture is worth a thousand words
Or, in this case, one.
by Jim McLennan on Aug 28, 2008 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I think....
….we all had something much more vulgar on our minds.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Lincecum at 116 pitches
So I think he’s done. If the Giants don’t score again this inning, he won’t get the W.
And...
Now he is, thanks to that homer.
by Jim McLennan on Aug 28, 2008 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
From one ex-Dback to another...
Hernandez to Vizcaino.
by snakecharmer on Aug 28, 2008 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
By the way?
Nope! He’s out for the 8th, 1 out, he just issued a walk, and Bochy’s actually thinking about letting him face Holliday.
Scratch that…he’s still in there…
by snakecharmer on Aug 28, 2008 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Really?
I’m reminded of the words of Scooby-Doo: “Aroo?”
"Only one thing is gonna walk you through this, Mal. Belief."
I thought those were the words
of evil robot Nixon.
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
Once again
I find myself in the unusual, yet somehow strangely comfortable in the post-Bonds world, position of cheering for the Giants…
I know...
It is SO bizarre!! I think the last time I really rooted for them was in the ’02 WS…. and quite possibly not even then. I laughed pretty hard at Game 6.
by snakecharmer on Aug 28, 2008 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
You rooted for the Giants in the '02 WS?
But, they had Barry then… and the Angels had never won a title before!!
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually,
I guess since you’re also an A’s fan, it makes sense that you wouldn’t necessarily want to root for the Angels…
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
On the other hand
the Giants have never won in San Francisco, and most of their titles were won before 1954, so you’re not going to find a lot of people who remember any of them.
What's for dinner, mum? Heinz Baked Beans.
And the last time they had a shot
was in ‘89 and they got swept out of that one in an earthquake-delayed 4 games to the A’s so Giants fans were pretty pissed about that… so losing yet another one was icing on the cake…
by snakecharmer on Aug 28, 2008 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
So?
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions
So for most people alive
the Giants have never won one either. I can buy the Bonds argument.
What's for dinner, mum? Heinz Baked Beans.
Well, by the same token,
for most people alive, the Cubs have never won one, either….
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Also
a valid argument. It’s similar to the Astros/White Sox World Series; unless you already have a bias for against one of the teams, it’s hard to choose simply because one has never won and the other hasn’t won in such a long time you might as well consider them without one as well.
What's for dinner, mum? Heinz Baked Beans.
Amusingly enough,
I would have been happy had either team won that WS, although I was rooting slightly more for the ChiSox because I like them.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Stunned to see Lincecum still out there
Is Dusty Baker still managing them?
Rotator cuffs: they’ve vastly over-rated…
To rephrase the previous question,
would you allow Lincecum to win the Cy Young this year if it meant his arm fell off and Webby won for the next 10 years?
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Finally, Lincecum's out
The kid’s pitch count must be over 125 or something….
by snakecharmer on Aug 28, 2008 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Try 132
Only two pitchers his age have thrown that many in a game since 2001, both for the Cubs: Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano.
Looks like opposing hitters might not be the biggest threat to him winning the Cy Young down the road…
by Jim McLennan on Aug 28, 2008 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
So.....
you’re saying he’s got a 50-50 shot to fall apart by age 26?
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
by DbacksSkins on Aug 28, 2008 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
The Rays
won their 80th game today.
And to think that before this year, they’d never won more than 70….
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
I know who my
backup team to root through the playoffs is this year.
What's for dinner, mum? Heinz Baked Beans.
Here here!
Seconded.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
Look who's at Tempe Improve this weekend
It’s Frank Caliendo – remember all those oh-so hysterical spots for Frank TV last October? Now we get to take revenge.
We should all go…
Personally
I’m not in favor of giving him any money, so…
"Only one thing is gonna walk you through this, Mal. Belief."
Lemme check and see
if I have any rotten tomatoes in the fridge.
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
It's not
the first time he’s said it….
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
When Qualls stops blowing games
I’ll stop using the headline.
by Jim McLennan on Aug 29, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I think
it has been used before, yeah.
Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers: Filling the dubious shoes left open by Barry Bonds and the Giants.
I believe so.
Few months back.
Here’s a thought. We’ll start using headlines like “Pretentiousness and Ineptitude: The Foundation of a Lifetime of Missing Perspicacity,” that aren’t in any way a vague reference to particular posters. No more doubling up.
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