Gameday Thread, #73: 6/22 vs Devil Rays

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:19 AM EDT in News Comment 79 comments

Edgar G Gonzalez, RHP (no record)

Scott Kazmir, LHP (8-4, 3.39)

Let's see if we can avoid running our franchise record to 0-6 against our co-expansionees, shall we? But I'm less than optimistic about today. We face the Devil Rays staff ace, while putting up someone who got one major-league hitter out last season, and posted an 0-9 record in 2004. EnGon still represents a step up from Kevin Jarvis, true, but is probably closer to what you'd expect from a team whose best season ever is seventy wins, than from the three-time NL West champions, though by most neutral observers to be serious contenders for years to come. Just not this year.

However, pitching is less likely to be our downfall than the lack of offense. Far too many players appear to be coasting at the present time - and part of the problem is, the replacements in the dugout aren't much better. I mean, it's one thing to threaten to bench Luis Gonzalez [.227 in June], but it's basically an empty threat when he looks over and sees Andy Green [.182 in June] as his replacement. Ditto Jackson and Clark. Or Counsell and Easley.

Even a win tomorrow would leave this a 2-5 roadtrip, and you wonder what it's going to take to get the players' attention, and turn this thing around. Another team meeting? A brawl? The removal of Melvin as manager? It may not be too long before the last option is being seriously discussed, with the aim of getting someone in who can deliver the kicks in the backside that certain members obviously need. With that in mind, I still don't know whether to hope for a win in the series finale or not.

9:15 am first pitch, but I'm aiming to be up early, so I can watch some World Cup action first. I think the game is probably radio-only - most East Coast day games seem to be that way - so I'll likely be tucked in the office, trying to get the decks cleared.

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Prediction

Complete game shutout for Kazmir. We get... 4 hits and he walks 4.

Not just because he's on my fantasy team...

...

..ok, yes it is.

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As of 7 innings

ZERO runs and Dos hits.

Pretty good prognosticator.

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One run on three hits

C'mon, D'backs - get another hit. We may not take a game in the series, but we can make Ben look like frickin' Nostradamus!

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lineup

Counsell SS
Byrnes LF
Tracy 3B
Jackson 1B
S. Green RF
Easley 2B
Estrada C
A. Green DH
Davanon LF

I'm watching an infomercial on FSAZ right now... wtf?

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't think it's on TV?

They won't pre-empt an informercial. That's money, y'know...

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Yahoo has it wrong... again.

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

USA Soccer

I don't watch a lot of soccer, but that match looked like a high school team playing an established British club.

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Today's lineup

Morning, folks. Having just watched Team USA slide out of the World Cup, going down 2-1 to Ghana, I'm ready for something to cheer me up.

Unfortunately, I've only got the Diamondbacks game...

C. Counsell ss .288
E. Byrnes cf .298
C. Tracy 3b .274
C. Jackson 1b .263
S. Green rf .299
D. Easley 2b .238
J. Estrada c .304
A. Green dh .240
J. DaVanon lf .291

No Gonzalez at all today - not even as DH, a role that goes to, er, Andy Green. With all due respect to Andy, when the book is written on great designated hitters of baseball, the chapter on him will likely be fairly short... No Hudson either, with Easley replacing him: Damion still leads the team in HR for June, with four, but I do not look at this lineup and think, "offensive juggernaut". Still, we'll see.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

/em covers his eyes

Here we go EdGon..

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1-2-3 we go

Byrnes and Tracy K.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So far, so good...

EdGon fans two - allows a hit, though Easley dropped the ball. But on the whole, it could have been a much worse first inning. And recently, it usually has...

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 12:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gonzalez just lost his perfect game and no-hitter

but he gets through the 1st inning

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 12:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We catch a break

Miscommunication between the outfielders, gives Jackson a double. Though according to the radio, our rookie shows a lack of hustle out of the box.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ConJerk schooled with Juan Brito

Shades of 2004! Pedrique coaching techniques!

ConJerk lacks hustle out of the box.

Would TC have done the same thing? I think not.

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jackson gets a lucky double

as the Tampa Bay outfielders screw up a fly ball

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Green moves Jackson up

Here's the at-bat of the game...Runner at 3rd with just 1 out

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Easley can't get it done

Jackson advances to third on a groundout by Green, but Easley strikes out. Candidate A for pre-deadline cleansing, perhaps?

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 12:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

J Byrnes Pick

Keep DE!

Remember that his hit 3 HRs in one game and another HR the following game. Remember ATL? Those days are long gone.

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easley Ks

Ok, time to pack the bags and go home :)

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 12:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

EdGon looking solid

A 1-2-3 second inning, with another K. He's matching Kazmir so far - one baserunner each - and is ahead in K's, 3-2.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Davanon is the man

Why isn't he our every-day leadoff hitter?

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good question

OBP for Diamondbacks before today:

DaVanon: .373
Byrnes: .361
Jackson: .355
Green: .354
Gonzalez: .350
Counsell: .337
Hudson: .327
Estrada: .325
Tracy: .325

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good job by DaVanon

to come back from 2 strikes to draw a 1-out walk

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stolen bag for DeVo!

runner in scoring position now...

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DaVanon steals

Another RBI opp

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DaVanon walks

Then steals second. He's currently having better at-bats, and showing better instincts on the basepaths, than just about anyone else. Counsell flies out, advancing DaVanon, and it's up to Byrnes to drive the run in with two outs.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This just in

Kazmir is pretty good.

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

You have to wonder how much better the Mets would be now if they had not traded for Zambrano....

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trade

Probably a moot point. My assumption would be that they'd have traded him at some point for someone if they didn't make that trade.

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"What? There's another Zambrano?"

And this just in. We actually meant to sign Ramon Ortiz. Mind you, he largely sucks too...

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it was David Ortiz

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How's his curveball?

He probably pitches better than Russ though. But Melvin would still ask him to bunt. ;-)

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll probably make a better DH

than Andy Green during Interleague play....

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least they're making Kazmir work

Over 50 pitches in the 3rd inning

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

5 k's in 3 innings will raise your count a little.

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

Make that 7.

by nihil67 on Jun 22, 2006 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

second K for Byrnes

fifth for Kazmir - Jeff is stranded on third

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok, who kidnapped the real Edgar Gonzalez??

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bit unlucky.

Seemed like a good effort by Byrnes on the diving catch, but he couldn't quite hang on. The Rays have their first man in scoring position, with one out, so we'll see how EdGon copes.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"Not very" is the answer.

Base hit for Huff, an RBI single, and they leap out 1-0. The way Kazmir is pitching, that will be enough.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There goes the shutout

1-0 D'Rays

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Byrnes did not have to dive

and when he did - the ball "squirted out of his glove"

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

so sayeth

the D-Rays announcers

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting...

To see yourself as other see us...Er, make that "hear". :-) The D'backs team didn't make it seem unnecessary.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

gotta love XM radio

you always get the home team feed and get to hear other perspectives as well as other announcers

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I use MLB Radio

[Can't get good XM reception at work] That gives you the option of picking your feed, which is nice - but I inevitably end up with the D'backs feed. Tend to find the opposition feed talks more about their team; inevitable, but a bit irritating, since I like to hear about how our pitcher is looking, not how their hitters are faring...

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leslie's Pool Supplies advert

"I love hitting home runs into the Leslie's Pool Zone."
-- Luis Gonzalez.

Coming soon:
"I love pitching complete-game shutouts"
-- Russ Ortiz

"I love taking lots of pitches and working deep into the count."
-- Johnny Estrada

"I love painting in watercolors, and working on Sudoku puzzles."
-- Eric Byrnes

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Even DaVanon strikes out

We still have only one hit through six - and that Jackson's fluke double. Ben's prediction of a four-hitter looks optimistic.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kaz is still workin' on that one hitter

what does it take to whammy that guy?

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

tracy got the second hit of the game

as I typed the above!

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Would losing this game 1-0

be something of a moral victory?

by andrewinnewyork on Jun 22, 2006 1:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Moot point. :-)

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huff kills us again

Two-run homer - he's 7-for-12 this series. 3-0 to Tampa. This one is, effectively, over - unless Kazmir trips coming out of the dugout and is unable to pitch.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

never mind

by andrewinnewyork on Jun 22, 2006 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

4-0 to Tampa now...

The phrase "off the glove of Tracy" is beginning to sound as familiar this year, as "past a diving Clayton" did last season...

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As soon as I open my big mouth

the whole thing goes to hell. I should go back to paying attention to my job.

by andrewinnewyork on Jun 22, 2006 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tracy breaks up the one-hitter

Avoids fanning for the third time, with a single. Now, let's see if Jackson can have a good at-bat.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 1:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Aquino in for the seventh

I expect the bases to be loaded momentarily. :-)

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gonzalez is done for the day

Looks like EdGon will pick up his eleventh consecutive loss as a starter.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

right in front of the wall

Crawford may have just robbed DaVanon!

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Interestingly...

The D'backs announcers said he didn't need to jump - turnabout from the earlier report on Byrnes' play!

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Solo HR for Estrada

Puts us on the board. The Fangraph twitchs momentarily, more out of politeness than any genuine belief we can make a real comeback.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fangraph should represent DBacks FLATLINE

Every game should be DBACKS FLATLINE. Twitching now and then, FLATLINE!

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Julio only wanted rest for the remaining season

Julio has pitched in more appearances.

When told by the Mets organization about his departure, "Good, now I can rest and relax, and habla espanol con Carlos Tosca (speak Spanish with Carlos Tosca)!"

Now Julio is always working and very effectively, I just might add!

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Julio is doing well

About the only truly reliable arm in the bullpen at the moment. Sigh... Remember the start of the season when we had a 7-8-9th inning punch to stand beside any other team?

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

CONSISTENCY

"We need to go on the road!" BoMel.

So give TEXas and Buck 3 great quality games of batting practice; have a TEAM MEETING; blow into Pittsburgh, visit Big Ben and his hospital, and literally steal a win; and go into TB for some more fun and frivolity; give them good pitching practice and batting practice; have a TEAM MEETING; be gracious visitors and leave with our asses handed to us by a last place team of the AL East; and return home to another empty, cavernous ballpark, with an alienated and angry fan base showing some very positive results from the TEAM MEETING!

I hear the home computer at BoMel's house humming with the sounds of the tapping of keyboard strokes; applying a new template of a resume; soon to be sent out to all the 30 MLB teams, notifying them of BoMel's coaching availability!

Jay Bell, I hope you are ready to step into the SNAKE Zone!

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ouch

10 ks for the devil rays and now, clark is up 0-2 already

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Seattle knew something within 2 yrs.

The Mariners are coming to town early next week. Maybe BoMel can have his bags packed and ready for their team bus to take him back!

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Albie Lopez is the RAYS Pitching Coach?

Mike DeRelease is the Bullpen coach?

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Game; Series; RoadTrip 1-7

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

three hits

'nuf said

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kazmir and gang 3 hitter! NICE!

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dbacks 10 Ks' REAL NICE!

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

back to AZ

where the D-backs wil face another scuffling team - the Angels. I can't believe I'll be making the drive out to Phoenix to watch these 2 teams play, but I'll be at all three. - good times...

"If my mind and my heart were done, it would be easier." -Troy Percival

by LTUPHLO on Jun 22, 2006 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Connie Chung sings to BoMel

This just in. Connie Chung has provided us with a memorable rendition of "Thanks for the Memories", to the Team Dbacks. Please make sure your sound buttons turned way down low.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLY3dz97jyM

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fangraph Results

What will Fangraph look like today?

________-______

Time of Death 5 June, 2006 @ 6:40 pm.

livestrong & wear yellow; the truth is out there; it may not be true, but accurate, Dan Rather; bababooey to you all!

by icecoldmo on Jun 22, 2006 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Poll Question of the Day

Now that the team is under .500, how far behind the NL West leaders have the D'Backs fall to before the management decides to pack it in and look forward to 2007?

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd say ten games.

Anything less than that is sellable to the mug punters as potentially overcomeable. Let's hope we sink that far by the trade deadline, to prevent any disastrous deals.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 22, 2006 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm dreading that for different reasons

Ok, it is probably a little selfish, but if the D'Backs decide to sell...errr...trade off some of the players to contending teams and bring up the kids from Triple A, it will more or less kill the Sidewinders' chance of bringing a championship to Arizona (even if it is just the PCL crown)

by William K on Jun 22, 2006 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs