Diamondbacks 1, Phillies 4: Gone with the Rain
by soco on Aug 19, 2011 12:26 AM EDT
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Record: 69-55. Pace: 90-72. Change on last year: +20.
The Diamondbacks entered the rubber match of their final regular season series against the Phillies up 2.5 games in the division. They had a tremendous comeback win off one of NL's best pitchers on Monday, then were routed on national TV last night. Which Diamondbacks team would show up today? The one that won 7 straight? Or the one that seemingly did everything wrong last night?
It was somewhere in between, but the Diamondbacks still took the loss. Luckily, the Giants lost, too. Details of the D-backs game after the jump.
Ian Kennedy started the game, seemingly ready to be the first NL pitcher this year to reach 16 wins. The conditions seemed to be favorable, at least the non-meteorological conditions. The A-Team was playing, the opposing pitcher is good but not Big 4 or whatever it is that the Phillies' rotation is called. Yes, this would be the one where the Diamondbacks made a statement, and took the season series.
Sadly, it didn't quite go that way. I'll tell you Ian Kennedy's final line of the night in a second, but first let me explain why it's so small. First of all, there was a 2 and a half hour rain delay. He could have been throwing a perfect game and would have been pulled. The second issue was a routine pop-up near the pitcher's mound in the bottom of the second. Kennedy seemed to be rolling up to this point, recording having struck out 3 through 1 1/3 innings.
Raul Ibanez got things started for the Phillies with a 1 out double. Then Ross Gload popped out near the mound, and Kennedy positioned himself to make the catch. Unfortunately for him, Ryan Roberts got it in his head that he would make the play, instead, and came barreling in. As he tried to avoid Kennedy, he hit Ian's pitching shoulder.
It didn't seem like anything serious, and it might be shown to be just a bruise. But Kennedy seemed shaken up after the near collision. He immediately started working his shoulder, and after this point his pitches didn't seem to have the same placement. The next batter, Brian Schneider, took a walk. Now two were on with two outs. Not too bad of a jam, but Kennedy still didn't seem like he had it. Wilson Valdez was next up, and he doubled over Justin Upton's head to score Ibanez. The opposing pitcher Vance Worley grounded out to stop a potential big inning, but the Phillies had a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third the pain would continue. Jimmy Rollins got things started for Philadelphia with a single. Then John Mayberry Jr. stepped up and launched a ball into the left field foul pole to extend the home team's lead to 3-0. Things were in danger of spinning wildly out of control, as the next two batters reached safely, all still with no outs. Kennedy finally settled down and finished the inning without anymore baserunners or runs, but it would be the end of his night.
So after a rain shortened game, Kennedy's day looked like this: 3 innings, 3 earned runs on 5 hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Vance Worley only lasted three innings, as well, but he was pitching a gem. Through 3 he gave up only 1 hit and struck out two, all on 30 pitches.
The Diamondbacks hoped that with the rain delay would come a less effective pitcher, but it wasn't to be the case. The entire offense couldn't get anything going, and the lone run came off a solo home run by Paul Goldschmidt in the 8th inning. First basemen were responsible for all of the runs the D-backs scored in this series. The rest of the offense looked awful tonight, striking out 10 times, taking only 1 walk, and managing only 3 hits. 4 measly baserunners.
It was a game dragged on by a rain delay, one that felt over before play resumed, and one you could hope would be dragged out behind the shed and shot.
Scarlett O'Hara: Paul Goldschmidt (6%)
Melanie Wilkes: Bryan Shaw (.6%), David Hernandez (.4%), Joe Paterson (.2%)
Ashley Wilkes: Ian Kennedy (-16.9%)
Rhett Butler: Willie Bloomquist (-7.5%), Gerardo Parra (-7%)
A rather mild thread tonight, one that floated on by without much consequence. Scratch that, make it 2 Gameday Threads. We decided after the rain delay to start again, to no discernible difference. imstillhungry95 was hungry for top contributor with 149 posts. I was the only other member of the Century Club. We were joined by: Clefo, snakecharmer, Gildo, SenSurround, Stile4aly, Rockkstarr12, emilylovesthedbacks, GuruB, txzona, AZDBACKR, kishi, 4 Corners Fan, hotclaws, Backin'the'Backs, Turambar, Zavada's Moustache, Craig from Az, 7Insomniac, Jim McLennan, luckycc, Cardscrazy247, UofAZGrad, Baseballdad, mbarnard11, heartbursuer, YoungCardsFanatic, blue bulldog, porty99, Azreous, TinySarabia, JamesFromPhilly, Sprankton, Amit, asteroid, blank_38, Husk, and iheartdbacks.
Comment of the Day goes to Zavada's Moustache, summing up everyone's feeling about the end of this series:
The last time a group was this excited to get to Atlanta, General Sherman was leading the charge.
"Not a whit. We defy augury"
-Hamlet (Act V, Sc. II)by Zavada's Moustache on Aug 18, 2011 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
So there you have it. D-backs lose 2 and win 1, about what most people were expecting or hoping for. We won a game were weren't supposed to, lost another we were supposed to, then lost one that could have gone either way. Luckily, the Giants continue to be just a little worse, so the division lead remains at 2.5.
Next up is Atlanta, another playoff bound team. Diamondbacks need to show what they have, and in a positive way this time.
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Well
That sucked
Founder of the 'Foundation for the Advancement of Clefoing' a 501C3
"I'm like if it fits in the oven, play ball." - soco
Promised Colin Cowgill fifteen sandwiches on 7/6/2011
by Clefo on Aug 19, 2011 12:29 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Big time
DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!
by imstillhungry95 on Aug 19, 2011 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Now I am thankful for the Haboob knocking out my cable for a couple hours so I didn't have to witness most of this suckitude.
Arizona Cardinals/Phoenix Suns/ Arizona Diamondbacks/Phoenix Coyotes/ Arizona Rattlers/Chicago Bears fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
i actually used HABOOB last night in a tight words with friends match...
i thought it was exciting that i was in a haboob at the same time:)
We've been getting a lot of them lately
Just thankful my TV came back on in time to see Goldie’s HR.
Arizona Cardinals/Phoenix Suns/ Arizona Diamondbacks/Phoenix Coyotes/ Arizona Rattlers/Chicago Bears fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I've seen worse
but this was pretty bad. Our offense was completely missing on what was supposed to be the easiest pitching match up in this series. I know Worley was only in there for three innings, but we still didn’t do anything against him. I think we can make the play-offs since our main competion, the Gnats, can almost if not actually create a complete starting lineup with their DL. If they want to stick around in the play-offs, they need to be able to make a stand against teams like the Phillies.
DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!
by imstillhungry95 on Aug 19, 2011 1:10 AM EDT reply actions
well...
at least we have solutions to the black hole of first base
well
fangraphs doesn’t seem too impressed with the defense :(
also….those lines are misleading. strikeout rate is nuts……dude’s average is going to drop down to 240 very soon.
by blue bulldog on Aug 19, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
ty nostradamus
because there’s apparently no way that Paul Goldschmidt can continue to adapt and perform, its simply not possible, the numbers are irrefutable.
Let me know when fangraphs has a good explanation for Jose Bautista sudden power explosion or how they had Albert Pujols rated in the draft, willya?
Now, if you wanted to make an argument that he’s going to continue to be matched against another pitching staff that is one of the best in the league as the basis of your argument, I could accept that and look it up and see that yes, indeed, Atlanta has a pretty good stable of arms, pretty much like what he just faced in Philly. That said same series where he was just about the only D’Backs player to show up (outside of Lyle Overbay) to swing a bat, where he had 4 hits (3 for extra bases), three K’s and a walk in 7 PA’s, all on the road, in front of sellout crowds, while only starting two of the games.
It’s this kind of statement that makes me want to question your fanhood, because it appears that you’re much more interested in being the prophet of doom playing “stats R us” and being able to wrap yourself in the potential glory of “I told you so” rather than admitting that Goldy had a pretty decent roadtrip thus far despite all of the planets, talents and statistics foretelling that he can’t cut it.
as far as fangraphs and his defense goes, ef ‘em. I don’t flinch (like I used to do when X was in the lineup) when he takes the position, he’s not Albert Pujols or Todd Helton, but he’s not David Ortiz either.
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
chilllllll out
Did you read below where bluebulldog said this about Goldy?
but Goldy could turn out to be a righty-version of Howard. very similar type of hitter imo.
He’s not some “prophet of doom” — he’s a fan. Just because he has some cautions doesn’t mean you need to jump down his throat.
"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." Robert S. Wieder
okay
1) please calm down
2) i’d like to think that i can be a fan, and still be interested in the future. not sure why they are mutually exclusive.
3) if “wrap yourself in the potential glory of ‘i told you so’” means that i expect other people to bow down at my feet for predicting the future, then no, i’m not interested in that. i mean, i should admit that i would be interested in that if it happened consistently enough when i am able to predict the future, but since it doesn’t…..well….
4) if “wrap yourself in the potential glory of ‘i told you so’” means i feel happy when i’m right….then yes, you are correct. i’m a firm believer that truth has inherent utility (thank you Mr. Mill).
5) Goldy had an absolutely amazing roadtrip.
6) i pretty much stop caring about the past once it has happened, and start looking towards the future.
7) if you’ve read some of my previous comments on Goldschmidt, you should know that i don’t believe his defense will be a problem.
8) the fangraphs comment was supposed to be A) solely an observation and not a belief; and B) slightly in jest, which is why the upside down smiley face is there for
9) if you’ve read fangraphs before, you should know that their defensive ratings are meaningless when the sample size is like….ten games
10) i actually believe that Goldschmidt’s best attribute as a prospect (aside from his power tool) is that he has very good makeup, and shown an amazing ability to adapt and improve in the minors. in fact, believe it or not, the only reason why i believe Goldschmidt is a legit prospect is because i believe in his ability to adapt and improve.
and finally on a more serious note. probably shouldn’t go into politics on this kind of a forum, but i just felt compelled to say this after reading your comment.
saying something like questioning my fanhood because it appears i’m much more interested in being the prophet of doom as opposed to just relishing in how good Goldy has been so far, just reminded me a lot of how some people question others “patriotism” (whatever that means) because said persons criticize their own government. i just don’t think criticism and support are two mutually exclusive things. and, in my humble opinion, the attitude that they are, is very disillusioning, and severely hurts our countries prospects for the future.
by blue bulldog on Aug 19, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
how long before
they put Goldy in the cleanup slot? I hope its soon because all CY has been doing is dusting the plate off with his whiffs as of late. I think CY presses too much batting 4th and every time that Montero is there he swings like he has to hit a home run with each PA.
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
Definitely agreed
Johnson, Montero, and Young have all underperformed in the cleanup spot.
Wear your own fur.
by Marc Fournier on Aug 19, 2011 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions
CY has looked terrible the last two months.
"When I get sad, I stop getting sad and be AWESOME instead. TRUE STORY."
Yup
its like it doesn’t even register to him that he needs to perform. Same with KJ.
"The wise writer, I think, writes for the youth of his own generation, the critic of the next and the schoolmasters of ever afterward." F. Scott Fitzgerald.
by NASCARbernet on Aug 19, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
You think?
I think that’s absurd. It’s too easy to respond to bad performance with “The bums don’t care.” I think that’s an absolutely false assumption. Bad performance happens for a lot of reasons. That it’s related to KJ and CY not caring is very unlikely in my book.
"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." Robert S. Wieder
This
people used to say this about Upton a lot, and every manager we’ve had has constantly stressed that Upton works his butt off to improve his game.
Sometimes people suck because they’re lazy. But sometimes they suck for other reasons.
by blue bulldog on Aug 19, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think so
I think this is sarchasm but I could be wrong.
DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!
by imstillhungry95 on Aug 19, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Being the eternal optimist,
all I gotta say sing, is
The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There’ll be RUNS!
Baseball Weirdo
by AZDBACKR on Aug 19, 2011 4:30 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The Philadelphia series
represents what we can expect from this team in the playoffs. If they play like that in the playoffs, it’ll be a quick post season.
"The wise writer, I think, writes for the youth of his own generation, the critic of the next and the schoolmasters of ever afterward." F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Its not enough just to be there
"The wise writer, I think, writes for the youth of his own generation, the critic of the next and the schoolmasters of ever afterward." F. Scott Fitzgerald.
by NASCARbernet on Aug 19, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
well we are the same bunch
that thought it would be nifty to simply be playing meaningful games in August, but I get what you’re saying, the opportunities, when they present themselves, need to be seized and taken advantage of.
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
If you'd told anyone
That we’d be in the playoffs with this team at the start of the year, that would have been more than enough. This is still a developing team [in particular, the rotation]. Even if we get swept by the Phillies in the first round, 2011 will have been a marvelous success.
Of course, it’d be nice to go further, but simply being there would be enough, thank you very much.
Daron "...the D. Baxter fan-club"
Mark: "A non-profit organization."
by Jim McLennan on Aug 19, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Raise those expectations
the line is a moving one. Now, .500 is not enough, nor is simply making the playoffs. This is sports, its about being champion.
"The wise writer, I think, writes for the youth of his own generation, the critic of the next and the schoolmasters of ever afterward." F. Scott Fitzgerald.
by NASCARbernet on Aug 19, 2011 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, the line should raise
But you can’t raise it too quickly or you get 2007 DBacks redux — thinking you’re closer than you really are and selling off your future too early. When the window is really open, then you’ve got to go for it. Right now, that window is open just enough for us to squeeze in, but we’re kidding ourselves if we think we’re going to jump through the thing.
"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." Robert S. Wieder
You're probably right that this is what it will look like.
But since we were projected by about ZERO percent of the experts to make the postseason, I think just making it is pretty darned good. We need to build on it, put more pieces in place for a stronger run. But let’s not be disappointed about a short postseason run. We’re not the Yankees, for heavens sake!
"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." Robert S. Wieder
I wonder when we may see Goldy moved up in the Order
It seems he is making adjustments, has a few singles and doubdles to go witht he HR’s. And i think most of the league knows his power by now, So slotting him in the cleanup spot woudl let Upton see better pitches, and we know what he can do with those.
I would really like to see this happen. Look around the league, Braun has Fielder, Puljos has Holiday, Utley has Howard,
I think we could have this with Upton and Goldy. Then montero or CY behind Goldy would give him a little protection as well.
Freeze it..and make a popsicle
Upton definitely needs some protection in the lineup
by Backin'the'Backs on Aug 19, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
i like the Utley Howard comp
Upton is probably slightly better than present-day Utley, just because he’s getting on in age….
but Goldy could turn out to be a righty-version of Howard. very similar type of hitter imo.
by blue bulldog on Aug 19, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I just hope
he has fewer strikeouts than Howard. The only reason Howard hasn’t been the strikeout king the last few years is because of this guy named Mark Reynolds
DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!
by imstillhungry95 on Aug 19, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
If he turned into anything resembling Ryan Howard
I would leap for joy.* K’s be damned.
*This offer not valid with a $125M contract extension.
"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." Robert S. Wieder
Do
we even pay the entire organization that much?
DROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!
by imstillhungry95 on Aug 19, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
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