Gameday Thread, #96: 7/21 vs. Rockies

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 9:30 PM EDT in Diamondbacks News

Aaron Cook, RHP (6-7, 3.59)

Claudio Vargas, RHP (7-6, 5.30)

Gonzo has called a press conference for 6pm, at which he will announce his full support for Melvin, putting him in the lineup tonight. All media are expected to be in attendance. Or, perhaps it just seems that way, and last night's spat was simply a result of the press stuffing a microphone in his face, and Gonzalez being honest. It's probably somewhere between the two, but I hope that this does not generate into the sort of circus freakshow currently playing out in Toronto. Mind you, it doesn't seem to be hurting the Blue Jays immediately, going by yesterday's walk-off home run against Rivera.

So, the Rockies come to town, and we'll be looking to continue the sinking of their season - since we swept them just before the All-Star break, they've slumped, and are 1-9 including that series. Even the Pirates took two of three from Colorado, so it looks like their July (4-11 so far) is going to be just like our June. But we can help make it so by sweeping them again, this time at Chase.

The opener might be the toughest one of all, as Aaron Cook has been close to their ace. However, we've faced him three times this season already, and the results have been moderate but consistent. Those games have resulted in a win, a loss and a no-decision for Cook, with him going between six and seven innings, and conceding three or four earned runs each time. We counter with Vargas, who had a very poor outing last time, being yanked before the end of the fourth inning, allowing six runs on eight hits, including two bombs. He hasn't got past the fourth this month, thus we are certainly hoping for better today.

It just struck me I didn't hand out the awards for the series just past, so let's go with a special, All-Rotation edition of...

Heroes and Zeroes
Series 30: vs. Dodgers, at home

Batista: 9 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 0 ER
Gonzalez: 6.2 IP, 3 ER + 3-for-3, 2 RBI
Webb: 8 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 ER
-----------------------------------
Cruz: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 ER

Pretty simple, really. :-) Winners = Heroes, Losers = Zeroes...

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Comments

Gonzalez

That's called helping yourself at the plate

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 21, 2006 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

Today's lineup...

J. DaVanon cf .282
C. Tracy 3b .278
L. Gonzalez lf .270, pouting gently.
C. Jackson 1b .267
S. Green rf .308
J. Estrada c .317
O. Hudson 2b .261
S. Drew ss .304
C. Vargas p .103

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

Interesting Note

Something that might increase the likelyhood of a Sean Green deal, considering how hot this guy was in trade talks, from Rotowire:

Reggie Sanders: Sanders Placed on DL

Update: Sanders was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right thigh strain on Friday.

Recommendation: Sanders was one of the most talked about players on the trading block prior to the injury because of his veteran leadership and experience in postseason play. The injury may cost Sanders a chance at competing in the pennant chase come September.

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 21, 2006 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

Russ Ortiz

I wish him well, I really do, but this just makes you want to shake your head sadly....
0 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 HR, 1 WP

by William K @ AZ Snakepit on Jul 21, 2006 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

Woo-hoo...

So, it really, really, really wasn't just us then... Pass the schadenfreude, I'd like an extra slice, please.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Awesome!

Most of the Tampa Bay infield is on my fanatasy teams :)

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 21, 2006 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

My fantasy team sucks this year

by flyingdutchman on Jul 21, 2006 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

Mine too ...

But, Fantasy Football starts again soon ... or, as I like to call it, 16 weeks of punishing myself. But it's a much shorter season, that's what is important.

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 21, 2006 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmmmm

love european futbol but not to fond of our football

by flyingdutchman on Jul 21, 2006 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

What i mean is soccer

by flyingdutchman on Jul 21, 2006 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

No, you mean football

Bow not to these Americans and their strange, mutant version of "football", where if you use your foot, it means your team has failed... Never forget - there is only one real football! </rant>

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey!

I only like Rugby anyway, but it's only for the over elaborate dance celebrations.

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 21, 2006 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

28 more days...

Till the English leauge starts

Go Wigan

by flyingdutchman on Jul 21, 2006 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

Green's 1000th RBI!

Gives the D'Backs a 1-0 lead

by William K @ AZ Snakepit on Jul 21, 2006 10:02 PM EDT reply actions

Oh-oh...

First two on for Vargas. I knew that scoreless first inning was just a false dawn, not the beginning of his Cy Young campaign...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 10:10 PM EDT reply actions

Good job this the NL

Bases loaded, one out, but it's the pitcher's spot up. If he bears down, he might just escape...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

Whizz...

The sound of a bullet flying past Vargas's head, as he escapes the jam. Why would about five more runs of support be very welcome about now?

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

Nod

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 21, 2006 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

With the aid of our new best friend...

Mr. G.I.Double-Play, Vargas escapes the third, and Tracy leads off in the fourth with a single. Let's get some more offense going!

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 10:37 PM EDT reply actions

And I thought it was singles night?

Gonzalez - inevitably - doubles home Tracy. There's life in the old lion yet, clearly... :-)

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

Gonzo

I think Gonzo is actually en route to a "last hurrah" style of big second half. The shape of the numbers will change (clearly the drug testing plan, errrrrr..., father time has turned most of the homers into doubles). But never underestimate the wounded pride of a fading prideful athlete.

by TheMainMan on Jul 21, 2006 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Certainly

He's batting 21-for-55 this month - .382. And almost half his hits (10) have been doubles. It was the .217 in June that really got the talk going about the end of his era.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Another triple for Drew

No homer yet but he's clearly hitting the ball hard

by William K @ AZ Snakepit on Jul 21, 2006 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

man i love

stephen drew

Webb=Cy Young

by webby17 on Jul 21, 2006 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

Almost hit for the cycle this inning...

Two singles, two doubles and a triple = four runs. I think I'll breathe a little easier with Vargas pitching now. For an inning or two, at least!

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

Drew

Deffinatly showing potential to be your lead off style hitter, which is nice. I think he's doubled out triples since he came in lol

"Pepper needs new shorts!"

by npineda on Jul 21, 2006 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

Vargas not fooling anyone

Five hits and two walks through four innings. However, just the one run for the Rockies. I'd settle for a quality start from Vargas.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 11:09 PM EDT reply actions

And Gonzo still gets respect

Being intentionally walked with a runner on third and one outs. However, that may be because next man up is Jackson, Mr GIDP this year.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

Jackson 0-for-3

But he's clearly trying. His three at-bats tonight have seen him face a total of 21 pitches, so there's no first-pitch hacking here. Still didn't get the runner home from third though.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

And much credit to DaVanon

Who appears to have stayed in the rundown long enough to get Gonzo from first to third, and Jackson to second. Green walks, and the bases are loaded for Estrada. Blow this one open, J-Strada!

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 11:19 PM EDT reply actions

Or not...

Cook has thrown 97 pitches to get through the fourth inning. I imagine the fifth will likely be his last frame.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 11:27 PM EDT reply actions

Hudson loves the no. 7 spot

That might keep Drew in no. 8 for a while

by William K @ AZ Snakepit on Jul 21, 2006 11:30 PM EDT reply actions

Russ Ortiz tonight...

0 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 1 BB. Six batters faced.

Wow.

by IndyDBack on Jul 21, 2006 11:35 PM EDT reply actions

...but I see this was already mentioned.

D'oh!!

by IndyDBack on Jul 21, 2006 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

If, by "mentioned"

You mean gleefully paraded around like a kid with a new balloon, yeah, it did crop up earlier. Though William K did manage a convincing expression of concerned sympathy - I didn't bother! :-)

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Note the winning pitcher from the game

Casey Fossum. It's like an ex-D-Back's extravaganza!

by kishi on Jul 22, 2006 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Looks like there'll be a change in the kitchen

Cook is done

by William K @ AZ Snakepit on Jul 21, 2006 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

Still slightly nervous

Atkins homers to cut the lead to three. After five innings, we've had eleven hits and three walks - fourteen baserunners. We should have totally buried the Rockies by now.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

Phew

Safely through 6 innings

by William K @ AZ Snakepit on Jul 21, 2006 11:52 PM EDT reply actions

C'mon, CoJack!

Only position player without a hit in the first five innings. Sort it out, Jackson! :-)

by Jim McLennan on Jul 21, 2006 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

Or just strike out...

Jackson is 3-for-20 since the All-Star break.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 22, 2006 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

On the Ortiz front

I sense where his excuse will come from. "He was pitching on just two days' rest and had no idea he'd be starting when he arrived at the ballpark." Seems the expected starter was down with food poisoning. Still: six batters faced, no outs, is hardly much help...

by Jim McLennan on Jul 22, 2006 12:07 AM EDT reply actions