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Gameday Thread, #136: 8/31 vs. Rockies

Mrsnakepit_tiny by Jim McLennan on in Gameday Threads

Ubaldo Jimenez (23, RHP, 3-2, 4.03)
Livan Hernandez (32, RHP, 9-9, 4.86)

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And we place our icon carefully on a shelf in the cupboard, ready for the next time we need St. Penelope to wield her divine powers. All being well, that shouldn't be this weekend. The Rockies are on course for their best season since 1995...but that just means anything better than a handful of wins above .500. They're also pretty mediocre when you take them out of Coors, going 29-39 on the road.

Here's an interesting quote, something I wrote back on July 21st when things looked grim: "This is, basically, the same team who went 16-11 in April - and then, 16-12 in May. No reason they can't turn it around and go 16-12 in August and 16-11 in September." And now, we find ourself on the last day of August with our record this month so far of...16-11. It's almost enough to make me wish they'd lose tonight. Almost. :-) [Meanwhile, amused by Diamondhacks' expections in the same thread, to wit: "I think it's unlikely they'll make the playoffs. Your personal expectation of wins in the mid eighties is, IMO, in considerable jeopardy." That is - surprise, surprise - looking wildly inaccurate, unless we go 7-20 the rest of the way...]

Status uncertain for this one. I'm still at work, waiting for Mrs. SnakePit to get out of her employment [she swapped shifts, so is there till 9:30pm or so]. Doing a spot of overtime in the meantime, but should at least have a small, Yahoo scorebox window open in one corner. However, not sure if I'll be doing much reporting tomorrow (depends if the hotel has wifi) so I hereby put snakecharmer on notice for starting tomorrow's Gameday Thread!

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Lineups
Colorado Rockies (68-65, 6 GB)
Matsui, 2B
Tulowitzki, SS
Holliday, LF
Helton, 1B
Atkins, 3B
Hawpe, RF
Spilborghs, CF
Torrealba, C
Jimenez, P

Arizona Diamondbacks (75-60, 1st Place)
Young, CF
Hudson, 2B
Byrnes, LF
Jackson, 1B
Drew, SS
Reynolds, 3B
Montero, C
Upton, RF
Hernandez, P

by LucaMaz3 on Aug 31, 2007 8:56 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Lineups
No Snyderman tonight...he's played a lot recently, and with good reason because of his recent hot streak (from August 8 to August 28, he batted .333/.389/.583 over 48 at-bats), which looks like it's winding down (he's 1 for his last 10).

Just a quick note: The Diamondbacks have used a whoppping 121 different batting orders (not including different pitchers) up to now, in 135 games. Is that just me, or is that BoMel micro-managing? or something else?

by LucaMaz3 on Aug 31, 2007 9:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmmm....
Where have I heard about someone doing this before.... hmmm... oh yeah, Bob Brenly.

(That wasn't meant to be a pointed comment. Interpret it as you will.)

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 9:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Also
I think only Montero has caught Livo's starts.

So many different lineups does have its advantages. It prevents the opposition from being able to micro-manage its strategy against us.

by snakecharmer on Aug 31, 2007 9:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Right you are
I forgot about that...

by LucaMaz3 on Aug 31, 2007 9:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The scary thing is
No one order has been used more than three times. That's just his style, though it has been enhanced this year by issues like Tracy's injury and Quentin's failings, that have required more changes than perhaps normally would be needed.

by Jim McLennan on Aug 31, 2007 9:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And...
the whole "Where to bat CY?" thang has affected it.

by LucaMaz3 on Aug 31, 2007 9:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Be Safe
while traveling around the city and/or State, everyone.
LiveStrong - wear yellow; the truth is out there (X-Files); "Go with throttle up!" (Challenger Space Heroes); "bababooey to you all!" Howard (Sirius) fan.

by icecoldmo on Aug 31, 2007 8:57 PM EDT   0 recs

Blackout over!
I can actually watch the game!!!

by snakecharmer on Aug 31, 2007 9:31 PM EDT   0 recs

Hmmm....
As I opted against road trippin' this weekend to save money, better go get a case of Sam Adams. :-D
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 9:38 PM EDT   0 recs

1-2-3
Where is everybody? Don't tell me you people actually have lives on Friday nights...

by snakecharmer on Aug 31, 2007 9:46 PM EDT   0 recs

I'm here
It just took me a moment to get over how fat Livo is. :P

by LucaMaz3 on Aug 31, 2007 9:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Something came up out of my control
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 31, 2007 10:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was wondering where you were....
....of all people. Haha.
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That was nice and quick
Keep the pitch count down. Ten, in this case. Thought the Rockies would show more patience, with Livan going on three days' rest.

by Jim McLennan on Aug 31, 2007 9:47 PM EDT   0 recs

Ubaldo Jimenez
has some sweet stirrups. They look really nice.

by LucaMaz3 on Aug 31, 2007 9:48 PM EDT   0 recs

Hi guys!
finally back ^^ after a really busy week at the university... =p

com'on DBacks!!!! let's go!

by Muu on Aug 31, 2007 9:51 PM EDT   0 recs

Sounds familiar.
You and me, Muu. Only the second week of classes and I thought it would never end.

The week always feels longer when it's followed by a three day weekend. :-D

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Welcome back
Seems to be the season for exams and other things. Glad I've got that education thing out of my system. :-)

by Jim McLennan on Aug 31, 2007 10:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Gas
It's gonna be a long night...

by snakecharmer on Aug 31, 2007 9:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Nice play
by the O-Dawg.

by LucaMaz3 on Aug 31, 2007 9:57 PM EDT   0 recs

GBDP!
Pitcher's best friend.

by snakecharmer on Aug 31, 2007 10:03 PM EDT   0 recs

That was helpful
We bailed out Livo that time. Torrealba has to rank as one of the slowest players in the game.

by LucaMaz3 on Aug 31, 2007 10:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wow
dp right in time

by Muu on Aug 31, 2007 10:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Back!
With beer. Hey, Drew gets on again!!
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:07 PM EDT   0 recs

Perfect Game Alert
Scott Baker of the Twins is 3 outs away.

by LucaMaz3 on Aug 31, 2007 10:09 PM EDT   0 recs

hey
a Perfect Game is on it's way in minneapolis =/

by Muu on Aug 31, 2007 10:14 PM EDT   0 recs

Gone
Buck walks to start the ninth for KC.

by Jim McLennan on Aug 31, 2007 10:18 PM EDT   0 recs

See what happens when you talk about it? ;-)
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Meanwhile...
Another runner on third...another Livan zero. I think Hernandez 2.0's definition of a perfect game would be loading the bases in every inning, and still posting a shutout. :-)

by Jim McLennan on Aug 31, 2007 10:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Hey Mr. Almanac...
It'd be interesting to know how close he's ever come...

by snakecharmer on Aug 31, 2007 10:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Haha
Sweeney spoils the no-hitter. MN announcer's comment: "I never liked him anyway."

by snakecharmer on Aug 31, 2007 10:23 PM EDT   0 recs

And wih that...
Mrs. SnakePit has arrived, so I'm off. Enjoy, folks!

by Jim McLennan on Aug 31, 2007 10:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Have a good time, Jim!
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You would have thought he knocked a
bridge down with that comment
Go Rocks and take the Nuggets with you!

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 31, 2007 10:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Ah, Rockies Phan is back.
Only this time, he's the enemy. Welcome to the Pit! :)
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks
my prediction is 11-0 Snakes.  This pitcher for the Rocks is junk.  He'll start walkin guys anytime.  Million dollar arm and 50 cent brain
Go Rocks and take the Nuggets with you!

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 31, 2007 10:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not sure....
Whether our team has EVER won 11-0. Feel free to tell Jimenez to start walking our guys, though.

...As Jimenez gets a hit. :-\

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I gotta admit...
Say what you will about Livan as a pitcher, he DOES have a pretty impressive all-around arsenal.
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:33 PM EDT   0 recs

Livo strands the leadoff double...
:-D
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:35 PM EDT   0 recs

Livo the Magician!
The man is good...

by snakecharmer on Aug 31, 2007 10:35 PM EDT   0 recs

Let's get some RUNS!!
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:38 PM EDT   0 recs

It isn't fun
unless there's some risk involved, you know - 1-2-3 innings are just so boring... (unless it's the ninth with a close lead.)

by peachy rex on Aug 31, 2007 10:39 PM EDT   0 recs

Don't we all need a rest after last night?
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 31, 2007 10:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Welll.....
I don't know that 8 runs counts a brief... but it was definitely a cameo. :-\
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

*as
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a Dbacks night....
Pizza's on the way, beer's already here. :-D
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:41 PM EDT   0 recs

Hmmm....
Well, it's Jalapeño... I suppose I could order a couple more though. Got some chicken kickers on the way too. :-D
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's get some hits!
Can't get those runs if you can't get on base, unless you go yard.  That may be the only way to score if this guy keeps throwing 99 mph fastballs.  

by TwinnerA on Aug 31, 2007 10:41 PM EDT   0 recs

Relax
Ubaldo is junk and he'll implode.  He doesn't have the goods.
Go Rocks and take the Nuggets with you!

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 31, 2007 10:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow....
Were you watching, young snakelings?

Perfect bunt by Matsui. Looked safe, too.

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:46 PM EDT   0 recs

WHAT A PLAY!!
Nice way to end the inning.
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:48 PM EDT   0 recs

Hmmm....
Batster suggests we have a virtual party. Anybody else up for pizza? I can call Domino's and order some more. Got a full case sampler pack of Sam Adams too. Want some? I've got some single malt scotch too, in case that's your thing.

I know hotclaws loves her scotch and foamy beer.

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:50 PM EDT   0 recs

Rockies Phan...
You're welcome to a slice and a brew too. We're all friends here. :)
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yummy
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 31, 2007 10:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I am so full from dinner
but might need an ice cream sundae after this outing...

by snakecharmer on Aug 31, 2007 11:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oooh,I have raspberry icecream in the freezer.
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 31, 2007 11:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

hard to type but one finger will do
Gaga's are a mix of ice cream and sherbet.  They are so-o-o-o good.  I met the guy (back to 2 hands) who took his grammy's recipe.  The lemon are my favorite and the raspberry are a close second.   The best!

by batster on Aug 31, 2007 11:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow
Outstanding defense so far in this game by our guys!  Now we need two or three guys to smack that little white ball into the outfield.

by TwinnerA on Aug 31, 2007 10:52 PM EDT   0 recs

ARGH....
That was NOT foul!! It was on the line!! Should have been a double for Drew...
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Is'nt Drew having his usual bad luck
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 31, 2007 10:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Replay?
Did they show a replay of Drew's shot?  It looked to be on the line.

Reynolds gets on base!!!  Now we need someone to bunt him over, pretty please.

by TwinnerA on Aug 31, 2007 10:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Curious
is FSN Arizona showing Ubaldo throwing at 100 and 101 or is it just another stupid ploy on FSN Rocky Mountain by the Rockies owners?
Go Rocks and take the Nuggets with you!

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 31, 2007 10:55 PM EDT   0 recs

Hmm
I think I heard 97 and 99 but not 100 that I recall.

by TwinnerA on Aug 31, 2007 10:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It figures
FSN Rocky owns 10% of the team and have been known to skew results accordingly
Go Rocks and take the Nuggets with you!

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 31, 2007 10:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

On Gameday, I have seen 2 100 MPH ..
pitches on release but most seem to be in the 80's.

by batster on Aug 31, 2007 10:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I love Mark Reynolds
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 31, 2007 10:56 PM EDT   0 recs

Ah,Miggy,you let him down:-(
No pizza for you,
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 31, 2007 10:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Me too
However, I don't like what Montero did at all.  How about making him throw more than one pitch in your at bat, Miguel?

by TwinnerA on Aug 31, 2007 10:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Argh...
Just when we get a guy on, Miggy grounds into a double play.

It seems the sleeping... err... bear that is the Dbacks offense woke up for a night last night and then went back into hibernation. :(

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:57 PM EDT   0 recs

Addendum...
Yes, the Dbacks offense IS a sleeping bear. A koala bear. :-(
Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 11:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

koalas are quite vicious
they deter enemies by puking on them and are half stoned all the time on the eucalyptus leaves.
Hey,like a teenager!
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 31, 2007 11:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah I know....
Koalas are actually vicious and pretty aggressive. I was going to mention that later, when the Dbacks' bats (presumably) finally woke up.

Waaaay to spoil my surprise. :-(

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 11:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Batster....
I'm sorry, I don't have any Grolsch. Maybe you'd like a Sam Adams honey porter? I do have some Beamish Irish Stout left over from last night, as well. And of course there's the scotch.

Pepperoni's been ordered. I got a cheese too, in case anyone wants that.

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Aug 31, 2007 10:59 PM EDT   0 recs