Gameday Thread, #40: 5/15 vs. Rockies

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 7:02 PM EDT in Gameday Threads

Randy Johnson, LHP (0-2, 6.00)

Jason Hirsh, RHP (2-3, 4.10)

After being robbed of a potential win last time, by a mix of managerial and relief incompetence, Johnson can be forgiven if Melvin has to pry the ball from Randy's cold, dead fingers tonight. But if he's as good as he was for the first six innings in his previous outing, that will hopefully not be an issue.

Fingers crossed the off-day will also have re-energized the woeful offense, who haven't managed to score more than four runs in May. If that doesn't happen soon, it may be time to think about a more radical shakeup in the roster - though Callaspogate has severely limited our options there. The presence of Donnie Sadler on the bench certainly does not indicate a great depth of viable alternatives from which to draw...

Slightly early start - five minutes after I get out of work, so that's fine. Should be about for most of this one. Hopefully the same can be said for our offense.

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Tonight's line-up

C. Young cf .258
C. Jackson 1b .230
O. Hudson 2b .313
C. Tracy 3b .310
E. Byrnes lf .289
S. Drew ss .230
C. Quentin rf .195
C. Snyder c .206
R. Johnson p .000

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

They tease...

...and they deny. Jackson and Tracy single, but Byrnes strikes out to end the inning. Let's see what Mr. Understandably Grumpy can do.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 8:47 PM EDT reply actions

Johnson

seems to be getting better with each outing.

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:03 PM EDT reply actions

Come on CoJack!

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

Strike out #4

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

5 K's for RJ

through 3 with no hits

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

Randys spring training

is coming to an end... I hope anyway :o) Lets just hope we dont leave him in there for 100+ pitches and have Medders relieve him...

by AZDarkKnight on May 15, 2007 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

Off topic

But I am SOOO pissed at the NBA at the moment for banning the two suns stars. Think the NBA must hold some shares in the Spurs franchise...

by AZDarkKnight on May 15, 2007 9:19 PM EDT reply actions

31 pitches through 3

Keep at that rate with 5k's and we can look for a long outing for RJ.

by AZDarkKnight on May 15, 2007 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

Johnson looking fine again

Minimum faced through three. According to the TV, this is the tallest match-up of pitchers in baseball history. At least it's a change from the oldest! :-)

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

Tracy

now leading the team in batting avg. Hudson seems to be dropping to where he should be quickly.

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

Nice Pick Off

Still the minimum number of batters faced.

by singaporedbacksfan on May 15, 2007 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

Strike out #6 at 94 mph

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

If that turns out to be the only hit...

I'm just sayin'. :-) They were also talking on TV about how this is a much more cheerful Randy J than in his previous stint. Not sure I like the idea: I perhaps enjoy more thinking of him as a grumpy ogre than a kindly uncle!

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

If RJ

continues to get the same offensive support he will soon be an ogre again.

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Was Snyder robbed?

Seems like an awfully long drive.

by singaporedbacksfan on May 15, 2007 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, where is our offense?

Two hits in the first inning...and then the great silence descends.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

What are your opinions about the Dbacks need

for one guy who can put the ball out of the park on a regular basis? A guy who can truly be a power hitter. I think we need some power in our lineup. I am hoping it will come from either Young or Quentin once he comes around.

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:42 PM EDT reply actions

My opinion has probably soured...

Since that was part of the whole 3.6+2 thing. :-) But generally, it's not necessary to have an uber-slugger. I'd rather have eight guys who might do it, than one guy who always does: a lot easier to pitch around him. See Barry Bonds for details. I'd just like to see us hitting fewer solo shots. Actually, right now, I'd settle for even that!

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

If we can put some rallys together

just seems right now our hitters aren't doing much of anything. Our starters have been carrying us thus far.

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly

I didn't pay much attention to the 3.6 +2 thing just didn't get what he was saying.

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Ask and ye shall receive

"What are these things called RBIs, and should I be scared of them?" asks Conor, as he cranks one out of here. A bit of run-support for Randy.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Johnson

K #8 through 5

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

I thought one of the Rookies would step up

I thought that with all that talent, at least one of them would step up by this time in the season. While I've seen flashes of that talent, there is still no one who really impressed, with the possible exception of Young.

by singaporedbacksfan on May 15, 2007 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Young

I do see some life in Young and Tracy is coming around but the other 7 spots are doing zip.

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

Why were we so off?

That's what I'd like to know. I can understand a couple of predictions being low, a couple high, but it seems like we all over-estimated just about every young player's potential. Hudson, Tracy and Byrnes are about the only ones living up to expectations.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

WOOO

Go CoJack!

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

Homer by Jackson!

Finally runs!

by singaporedbacksfan on May 15, 2007 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

Yes!!!!!!!!

CoJack wakes up!

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

CoJack

now with 2 hits and 2 RBI's

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 9:59 PM EDT reply actions

Little worried about Randy

25 pitches to get through the last four hitters. I trust Melvin won't leave him out there to dry like last time.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 10:06 PM EDT reply actions

79 pitches through 6

but that was alot of pitches to the bottom of the order. Pena is up in the bullpen.

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

since when

does a pitcher work the count to 8 pitches... oh well at least he got the k

east coast based west coast biased

by seton hall snake pit on May 15, 2007 10:10 PM EDT reply actions

Looks like bullpen activity

I think it was Juan Cruz. Still just the one hit off Johnson, and he fans the opposing pitcher to give him nine through six innings. Classic stuff.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

Byrnes!

HR!

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

Yes! Byrnes HR

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

Base Hit

Drew. Come on Q!!!

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

This Randy Johnson character

he looks familliar. Like I've seen him somewhere before

by andrewinnewyork on May 15, 2007 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Byrnes goes deep

That'll help the "Gonzo vs. our LF" comparison a little bit, I think. :-)

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Talking of which

I guess I must be having a blonde moment as I dont understand who is winning in the Purple Row bet... what is Value over Replacement exactly?? :o/

by AZDarkKnight on May 15, 2007 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

so...

who thinks randy is done?? I wanna see him go at least one more

east coast based west coast biased

by seton hall snake pit on May 15, 2007 10:18 PM EDT reply actions

Johnson's day over?

Hammock was in the on-deck circle, and Peña (yeah, not Cruz - got that wrong) is in the bullpen. Not even eighty pitches for RJ though, so this is odd.

3-0 lead going into the seventh, six dominant innings from Johnson. Sound familiar? Ulp...

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

At least it's not Medders

Peña it is. One of our zero home-run troupe, so let's hope he can keep it that way. Double-switch used, so they may be looking to use him for two if he has a quick inning here.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

not happy with that one....

well melvin has made his questionable managerial move tonight.... lets hope thats the worst

east coast based west coast biased

by seton hall snake pit on May 15, 2007 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

I guess

BoMel was afraid to send RJ out after high pitch count last inning.

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

Pena

with a K

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

Ughh

Single with Holiday up

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

DP

that would be nice but i'll take any kind of out

east coast based west coast biased

by seton hall snake pit on May 15, 2007 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

U recieved

a DP!

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

YEAH!!!

minimum faced... lets see how the rockies fan boys like that one

east coast based west coast biased

by seton hall snake pit on May 15, 2007 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

Hirsh

still in

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

Young

starts us off 2 for 4

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

for as much as we've criticized

young has really started to turn it on this last week or so

east coast based west coast biased

by seton hall snake pit on May 15, 2007 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

Off to Islands

For a burger. Will be watching at the bar, but that's it for me as far as comments go. Let's hope that we are, as President Palmer would say, "in good hands." Get Randy his first win!

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

I will also be going

off to bed. 10:30 on east coast and I have to get up at 5:45. Good night and Go Dbacks!

by DiamondbacksWIn on May 15, 2007 10:33 PM EDT reply actions

see ya

I'll be sleeping soon too.

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

tell helton

to shave.

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 10:36 PM EDT reply actions

Nice outing by Pena

Lets get more runs to pad the lead!

by singaporedbacksfan on May 15, 2007 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

Let get

a win for Randy!

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

Oh snaps

A Cambodia Documentary... I'll keep an eye on the tv and the gameday

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

uh oh

here comes valverde, so much for facing the minimum

east coast based west coast biased

by seton hall snake pit on May 15, 2007 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

The customary runner on base

Valverde gives up a lead off double... come on shut the door!

by singaporedbacksfan on May 15, 2007 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

I'm starting the campaign

TONY PENA FOR CLOSER!!!
Tippecanoe and Pena too

east coast based west coast biased

by seton hall snake pit on May 15, 2007 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

you get that?

wow someone who knows there american history! I knew I liked you

east coast based west coast biased

by seton hall snake pit on May 15, 2007 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah it was a campaign lryic

I remember it from U.S. History class last year!

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

FIRST WIN FOR

RANDY!

"very cunning Mr. *VIII*" -- Jim

by Mr. Philosophical on May 15, 2007 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

Great game

Randy looked solid... Pena was great... Valverde barely got it done again......

PROMOTE PENA!

by azdbacks51 on May 15, 2007 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

Great game

While Pena is impressive, I see no reason to promote Pena to closer until Valverde loses the position. Despite the high WHIP, he is getting the job done which is all that matters.

by singaporedbacksfan on May 15, 2007 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

Didn't see the ninth

They had some crappy, non-Suns basketball game on at the bar [rolls eyes]. Still, that was a much-needed win - and the two teams combined for eighteen strikeouts, and not one single walk...

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 11:51 PM EDT reply actions

Giants lost in ten.

Armando blew the save. That moves us above SF, and if the Padres lose [they're down by one in the eighth] we'll be in a tie for second. Dodgers are winning though, after putting a six-spot up on Cincinnati im the third. So looks like we'll remain three back there.

by Jim McLennan on May 15, 2007 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

A quote from Johnson after the game...

Johnson didn't mind the quick hook, either.

"This is only my fifth start in the season, why push it?" he said. "I'm just hitting my stride. To think I'm 100 percent now is far from the case. I'm getting there, absolutely, and the results indicate that. But let me work into that. I don't need to go seven innings all the time or eight or nine.

"There will be nights where I need to do that, but tonight wasn't a night. It's too early in the year and I'm getting to where I want to be and I want to walk away from something feeling positive."

Now... I knew that and almost everyone else here knew that... so why did Melvin think it was ok to run him out for the 7th last time when he was already in the 90's as far as pitching goes???

by AZDarkKnight on May 16, 2007 6:23 AM EDT reply actions

First mistake

"...so why did Melvin think..."

See, that's the beauty of the managerial handbook. You don't have to think. You fill out your players on the card and the book tells you what to do. #2 starter dominating the team and pitches are <100? Run him back out, says the book.

I hope Randy shoved the book up his ass last time.

¡Viva Los Perritos Calientes!

by nihil67 on May 16, 2007 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions