Finally found some reliable wifi downtown (Epic Cafe, frequented by Nick Piecoro during spring trainings past), so here are today's SnakeBytes! As usual, recaps first, and I'm totally relying on the recaps for this game, because, once again, my epicfail of a job took precedence (and it didn't help that it was on the FSNplus channel.)
Recaps
- [azdailysun.com] Haren, D-backs top Rockies
And just like that, a team that seemed to be in five-alarm panic mode is just a win from the .500 mark after victories in three of its past four in games against playoff teams from last year. "We've got to beat everybody," Diamondbacks manager AJ Hinch said. "We try not to get too far ahead of ourselves as far as who we're playing. We feel like we can play with anybody." - [The Associated Press] Haren strikes out 10 as Diamondbacks beat Rockies
Haren got all the support he needed in the first inning when the Diamondbacks jumped on Hammel. With two outs, Justin Upton walked, Mark Reynolds singled, and LaRoche homered into the Rockies bullpen to give Arizona a 3-0 lead. - [denverpost.com] Night of big losses for Rockies
On the 15th anniversary of the Rockies' first home run in the inaugural game at Coors Field, Dante Bichette threw out the first pitch to former teammate Larry Walker. That qualified as the premier highlight, as mounting injuries proved a buzz kill in the Rockies' 5-3 loss that spawned a dramatic roster shuffle.
After the jump, previews of tonight's game, team and player updates, and some other random baseball news (including an update on the Dominican drama).
Previews
- [dbacks.com] Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies - April 27, 2010
Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez is riding the best streak of his career. The D-Backs are on a league-leading tear at the plate. The showdown is set for Tuesday in Denver. The wild, wild, National League West is living up to its name.
(Also, who has ever called it the wild wild NL West?) - [sportingnews.com] Diamondbacks-Rockies Preview
Jackson gave up four runs in eight innings, but didn't factor in the decision of a 9-4 loss to St. Louis on Wednesday. The right-hander hopes his latest effort will give him enough confidence to end his struggles against the Rockies. Jackson is 0-1 with a 13.81 ERA in four starts vs Colorado. - [azcentral.com] Colorado Rockies' Ubaldo Jimenez promises to be tall task for Arizona Diamondbacks
"With him, with the electic fastball and the tendency to be up in the zone, it's real important for us to see the ball down," Diamondbacks hitting coach Jack Howell said. "That's easier said than done."
Team and Player News/Updates
- [azcentral.com] Arizona Diamondbacks' home run-heavy offense may concern A.J. Hinch
"You're going to run into a pitcher you have to manufacture runs against. You're going to go into a dry spell when you're not going to hit a ton of homers. We shouldn't be the team that has to hit homers." - [dbacks.com] Johnson not surprised by hot streak
"I don't look at this like 'Oh my God, this is unbelievable," Johnson said. "I look at it like this is a very, very small grain of salt because it's so early. Everyone will tell you that it's just the way baseball is sometimes. There are crazy stretches." - [dbacks.com] Webb relearning his mechanics
"My arm angle was really over the top, not three-quarters like it used to be," Webb said. "It didn't feel like it was like that, but you could see it on the video."
Hopefully, this means Webb has figured it out and is on his way back to the mound.
Random Baseball News
- [mlb.com] April 27: A day like no-no other
No other date on the 181-day baseball calendar has witnessed more no-hitters, although this date's six have been matched by May 15 and Sept 20.
In other news, MLB.com just guaranteed that no one will throw a no hitter today. - [mlb.com] MLB Network wins four Sports Emmys
The network...won top honors in four categories, with three trophies for its signature show, "MLB Tonight," and legendary broadcaster Bob Costas' victory for Outstanding Sports Personality-Studio Host. - [mlb.com] Alderson meets with Dominican officials
"If we on't clean up the abuses, I think there's a very strong likelihood there will be a draft." Alderson told Yahoo!...Often, the issue of a draft is driven more emotionally by a reaction to abuses than it is about any sort of logical extension of the existing system." - [mlbtraderumors.com] Blue Jays Discussing Bullpen Trades
The Jays aren't expected to contend this year, meaning they could auction off free-agents-to-be like Downs and Frasor before July's trade deadline. Morosi names the Cubs, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Reds, Marlins, Brewers, and Rays as some teams that could be in need of bullpen help this season. - [wsj.com] MLB 2010: Phillies' Ryan Howard Deal Drives Sabermetricians to Distraction
...which is to say that the five-year, $125 million contract extension that Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard signed on Monday would've been a reality-bender by dint of the sheer size even if it hadn't been issued to Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard. - [usatoday] Curtis Pride tries to turn around university for the deaf's baseball team
"We have not improved much from last year," Pride says. "We still have a lot of work to do, but we will get better." - [mlbtraderumors.com] Which Agency Had The Biggest Offseason?
Just a quick look at which agencies made the most money in the offseason. My favorite? The agency representing Joe Mauer.
And here's some extra ones from Jim
- [FoxSportsArizona.com] Multiple factors conspire to hurt attendance - A piece I wrote for FSAZ, in which I looked at why crowds have been lower this season at Chase.
- [MLB FanHouse] Memo to Boobirds: You Aren't Helping - Former Mets GM Steve Philips, says "The reality is that you want the same thing that the player does -- for him to have success the next time around. The best chance for him to achieve what you both want is to cheer for the struggling player. Simply having a right to boo doesn't make it the right thing to do." Dammit! If we'd cheered for Byrnes, he'd have been an MVP!
- [wezen-ball.com] Tater Trot Tracker: Timing Each and Every Home Run Trot - Stephen Drew's homer on Opening Day remains the second-fastest trip round the bases by any player, at 15.84 seconds. Of course, it was an inside-the-park shot, but still...