DBacks Daily 9/12/07 - Another One-Run... Loss?

by snakecharmer on Sep 12, 2007 3:14 PM EDT in Diamondbacks News

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it's time for something completely different... a one-run loss. Jim will have to get the numbers, but I believe that's only our 18th or 22nd one-run loss. I blame myself. I told you they don't like to win when I go.

The media, thankfully, doesn't know that and blames someone else. ;) The AP recap praises Vizquel's dazzling defense, which it really was last night. San Franciscans take for granted how easily he makes those plays look. (They know they're going to be in for a shock if Omar's not here next year.) AP also gives Gonzalez some credit for being 6-0 since since April 21. (I think I was there for that loss too.) The Republic recap focuses a lot more on Gonzalez, noting he'd already been given another start even before he threw a pitch last night.

The Republic talks about more aspects of Upton's bad night than the Tribune article does. Justin claims the ball skipped by him because the ground was wet. Okay, I know Justin hasn't played here before this series, but it's San Francisco. By the waterfront. In the 8th inning. The fog comes in! It makes the grass wet! And to me it didn't look like it skipped by him, it looked like he just under-ran it and missed it completely. I didn't catch the replay on that though, and the articles seem to support the "skip", so maybe I'm wrong. (I know it skipped past Young after it got past Upton.)

The MLB.com recap covers a nice variety of topics - Upton, Gonzalez, Wickman (very honest about his work), and the myriad of missed opportunities. If you missed the game, the AP recap is a good start action-wise, but don't miss MLB's.

Notes today cover pitching and injuries. BoMel shuffled the rotation for the upcoming series, giving Micah a few extra days. Salazar is still hobbling and Callaspo's hamstring is still sensitive, so those two are PH-only for a few more days. Chad Tracy's on this road trip and might take BP soon. And Brandon Webb talks about mixing it up more this season, and how his numbers have improved. (That was a bit of a surprise to me actually.)

Finally, something I know is a hot topic here, is Bob Melvin's candidacy for NL Manager of the Year. I know there's a lot of debate, but you look at the other managers in contention, and I like Melvin's chances.

Don't worry, I'm not going to tonight's matchup of Webb v Sanchez, so I like our chances. :) The numbers seem to be in our favor as well!

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Wait just a second.....

"Justin claims the ball skipped by him because the ground was wet. Okay, I know Justin hasn't played here before this series, but it's San Francisco. By the waterfront. In the 8th inning. The fog comes in! It makes the grass wet!"

What is this 'wet' you speak of? Is it related to this mystical concept of 'dew'?

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 12, 2007 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, it's like magic

There are little invisible water particles in the air, if look reeeeal hard at night you can see them. Or you can use a battery-operated light wand to see them! (A flood light works too). They come at night when everyone's asleep (even in the outfield) and cover the grass in protective clear coating.

I highly recommend you see it if you get the chance. ;)

by snakecharmer on Sep 12, 2007 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

None of them mention....

The missed call at 1st that ended the 5th inning. Drew was safe and Snyder should have scored. Even Gracie ignored it, even though he repeated over and over that the called ball on CY in the 9th that was 'absolutely a strike folks'.

I also blame Jim McLennan for putting the jinx on early yesterday with.....

"That said, not feeling too confident about extending the streak to seven games tonight. It's Edgar Gonzalez's first start since June...." haha

by Adam1 on Sep 12, 2007 3:39 PM EDT reply actions

No...

See, that's the REVERSE of a jinx. Jinxing it would be to say, "We are TOTALLY going to continue the streak, and kick the Giants' ASS tonight!! EdGon is going to pitch like Curt Schilling!!"

Of course, EdGon did NOT end up being the problem last night.

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 12, 2007 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

true

but the Secret people would disagree. if you think bad thoughts, bad things will happen!!! (i hate the Secret by the way).

by Adam1 on Sep 12, 2007 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmm?

I, frankly, don't know what you're talking about.

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 12, 2007 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

oh well

all a joke. i blame the 1st base ump and lack of hitting.

by Adam1 on Sep 12, 2007 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, I assumed that,

but what is "the Secret"?

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 12, 2007 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

secret

you can find it on google or somethin. some goofy thing a lot of people are getting into. its a big lie about attracting things to you with your thoughts

by Adam1 on Sep 12, 2007 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I.... see

You mean this? Sounds like the stupidest thing I've ever heard, frankly.

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 12, 2007 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah thats it

very stupid. a lot of people are really buying into it (emotionally and financially).

by Adam1 on Sep 12, 2007 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

This was even more helpful. Probably should have gone there first. Damn... all this time, the people in power have known, but have been keeping it from me!! How dare they??

Oh, but wait... it has attracted such luminaries as Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, and Ellen DeGeneres!!

Morons. Oughta read Candide, which doesn't DIRECTLY address this, but it's a similar principle to what Voltaire was attacking.

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 12, 2007 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, that

I think Mrs. SnakePit got lent a copy of that by her sister. Yeah, it's total crap. I'm all in favor of positive thinking, but it ain't gonna pay the cable bill for me.

by Jim McLennan on Sep 12, 2007 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

It's in the Republic's sidebar

View from the press box

The Diamondbacks came within an eyelash of scoring the go-ahead run in the fifth inning when Stephen Drew nearly beat out a ground ball hit to third base, which would have allowed Chris Snyder to score from third. Snyder was unhappy with the call at first base, throwing up his hands in question. But first-base umpire Chuck Meriwether deserves some credit - slow-motion replay showed that he got the call right.

- Nick Piecoro

I thought he was safe too, but I didn't see the replay, which I know the guys in the press box (right behind me) were watching.

by snakecharmer on Sep 12, 2007 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

replay

i watched the replay on my DVR in slow motion and still thought he was safe. i thought maybe calling Byrnes safe at 2nd the next inning was a make up. i dont know what to think about Uptons play. other than #@$@%&*!!!!

by Adam1 on Sep 12, 2007 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Upton in the 9th

was clearly out. The Drew play was much closer.

And yeah, Mark was right about that ball/strike pitch. That was totally a strike, I don't know what the ump was smoking there.

by snakecharmer on Sep 12, 2007 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

upton

upton was out. i meant his play in the outfield. it was a strike. thought it was interesting he ignored the drew play but not the strike. where's Chipper when you need him????

by Adam1 on Sep 12, 2007 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Too much information on Eric Byrnes

SI has a large piece on our left-fielder. And speaking of, ahem, large pieces:

Asked to name something people don't know about Byrnes, Arizona second baseman Orlando Hudson thinks for a minute, then exclaims, "I know! The man don't own no underwear!" This is true. Byrnes rolls commando-style away from the park and plays in only sliding shorts (no cup). "I ran out of underwear in college and never bought any more," he explains. "I don't like to be restricted."

by Jim McLennan on Sep 12, 2007 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

And another comment

Not everyone appreciates his gusto, though. "He's an example of what I call false hustle," says Padres outfielder Milton Bradley. "He takes a Z route to a ball in the outfield, and when he finally runs it down it looks real good. But if he just takes a straight line, it would be an easy catch." Byrnes bristles at this. "You think I'm trying to take a Z route?" he says. "Trust me, I'd much prefer to stay on my feet to make a catch." He pauses. "When I play baseball, I put my heart and soul into it. If people want to call it false hustle, I have no problem with that, but they can also go f--- themselves, because I'm not going to change."

by Jim McLennan on Sep 12, 2007 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

MB

milton bradley is the biggest girl in baseball

by Adam1 on Sep 12, 2007 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

True.

At least, unlike big fat Bradley, Byrnes actually hustles, and doesn't just lumber around and complain.

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 12, 2007 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps

But in this case, he's right.

Bob Melvin Sucks

by nihil67 on Sep 12, 2007 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree, he is.

Maybe it's not the case with Byrnes all the time, but A's fans complained for years that Byrnes constantly got bad jumps on and took bad routes to balls but made the catches because of his flair.

I don't think he's conscious about it, but it could certainly be improved.

by snakecharmer on Sep 12, 2007 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Meh

I think, as long as he makes the catch, who cares?

by kishi on Sep 12, 2007 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Because what happens when

when he doesn't make the catch? Has the ball gone all the way to the wall? Is he in a position to field it cleanly and hold them to a single, or has he sprawled out and knocked the ball away from him? Catching it isn't the only point. If he improves his strategy for getting to the normal ones, I think he'd get to more of them, and faster, reducing the need for erratic throws to third or home.

by snakecharmer on Sep 12, 2007 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

You forgot a part...

pardon my lack of formatting:

"That maturity has not stopped Byrnes from playing defense like he's a beach volleyball player. He has the highest zone rating of any leftfielder in the majors (a metric that measures a player's success in getting to balls hit in his zone) and would surely lead the league in flat-out dives if such a stat were kept."

He gets to the ball and he does it with style. We like that.

by Just Me on Sep 12, 2007 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Speak for yourself.

I think his antics make him look like a no-talent tool.

Bob Melvin Sucks

by nihil67 on Sep 13, 2007 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Ben, I'd like to extend to you...

...an invitation to join the Official Eric Byrnes Fan Club. Now, you'll be getting a discounted rate as you're a new member.

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 13, 2007 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather

buy Michael Vick a dog.

Bob Melvin Sucks

by nihil67 on Sep 13, 2007 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Do they allow...

Dog visits to jail?

(I almost wrote "conjugal"... I have no idea why)

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 13, 2007 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe the next time the Dbacks play the Padres...

(Postseason? Maybe?) Byrnes will punch Bradley in the ovaries.

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

by DbacksSkins on Sep 13, 2007 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Byrnes

A's fans complained he got bad jumps/routes to balls even when he made the catch? I don't care how he gets there if he makes the catch. Maybe Upton could learn a thing or two from him and Young, especially Young.

by TwinnerA on Sep 12, 2007 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

Young's been great

Young's really improved his defense this year, I'm very impressed. He'll do fine, but Upton I'm worried about. He's only a year out of playing high school ball, where he was a shortstop. He definitely needs to get the hang of the outfield.

If Quentin's injury has fully healed, I wouldn't be surprised to see him start tonight. He's done well defensively at PhoneCompanyPark.

by snakecharmer on Sep 12, 2007 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll take...

Upton over Q. everyone makes mistakes defensively. remember Young's play where it bounced off his glove over the fence for a HR?? I say leave him there and give Salazar spot starts and PH. the more he's out there, the better he will be now and next year. i'm over Q. i really wanted him to do well, but now i've moved on. would like to see CoJack at 1st tonight.

by Adam1 on Sep 12, 2007 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions