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Having given Mock his first career win as a starter yesterday, we will be trying to avoid presenting Martin with the same thing in the final game of the series, and also the road-trip. While a victorious latter run is guaranteed, it would definitely be nice to avoid the sweep, and go home with a 7-3 record through New York, Pittsburgh and Washington. To ensure that happens, we turn to Petit, who appears to have swapped bodies with Dan Haren of late: the Petit Unit has been shutting down the opposition, and leaving it up to Haren to allow the home-runs.
Can it continue? We would certainly hope so - and we'll also be looking to see if Mark Reynolds can continue his blistering surge since the All-Star break. Yesterday's home-run was his tenth in just a dozen games and 52 at-bats, and he's now on pace to hit 51 homers by the end of the season. With fifty games still left to play after today, he's already tied for fourth on the all-time franchise single-season list, trailing only Troy Glaus (37 in 2005), Jay Bell (38, 1999) and of course, Gonzo (57, 2001). Almost as remarkably, he's fifth on the Diamondbacks career HR list, after Gonzalez, Steve Finlay, Matt Williams and Bell - and could well overtake the last-named by season's end.
Line-up
1. Trent Oeltjen, LF
2. Ryan Roberts, 2B
3. Stephen Drew, SS
4. Mark Reynolds, 3B
5. Chad Tracy, 1B
6. Chris Snyder, C
7. Alex Romero, RF
8. Chris Young, CF
9. Yusmeiro Petit, P
Oeltjen gets another start in LF, and leads off today. Sutton says Parra has a minor leg injury. Roberts back in the lineup, after the birth of baby Hudson. Drew bats 3rd, and Tracy is back in the lineup.
Don't expect me for first pitch, but I'll probably be swinging around after the caffeine kicks in.