So, we end June as we ended May, scoring four runs, but with a much better result this time. Funny how seeing the bullpen not fail us really turns things around for a team, isn't it? Someone should pass that along to the team, see if we can't make a habit of it.
Recaps:
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[mlb.com] Enright leads D-backs to win in debut - "It was a grind, five innings, leaving all those baserunners out there. I got a little lucky at times." Sounds like you'll fit right in with our rotation, Barry!
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[bnd.com] Young's two-run homer powers Diamondbacks past Cardinals - This was the longest nine-inning at Busch Stadium, and it did indeed seem to stretch on forever.
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[taragana.com] Double-A call-up Barry Enright, Young’s HR help Dbacks avoid sweep with 4-2 victory over Cards - Neither pitcher looked stellar or stayed in the game too long, but at least we aren't paying nearly $12 million for Suppan. Neither are the Cardinals, but I don't think Milwaukee will get a thank you card.
The advantage to afternoon games is that it means I don't do SnakeBytes in the mornings. The disadvantage is that, tomorrow morning, I'll wake up and look at all the stories I find and realized I posted them today. Whoops.
DBacks News:-
[ktar.com] Past moves have led to D-backs losing - This guy's hindsight is 20/20 or better. "Trading All-Star closer Jose Valverde for Chad Qualls, Chris Burke and Juan Gutierrez was significantly worse. Really, this season and maybe last as well was lost on that single trade." Uh... Valverde probably wouldn't be here this season anyway, trade or no. And since Qualls and Gutierrez were good last year, and our problems were in the eighth inning then...
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[al.com] Seven Mobile BayBears named to all-star team - I'd presume that, despite getting the pick, Barry Enright won't be making an appearance.
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[fstribune.com] LaRoche to appear on hunting show - Our redneck first baseman is going to be appearing on a new hunting show on the Outdoor channel on Saturday.
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[sbnation.com] Arizona Diamondbacks In Search Of Young Arms -SBN looks at what the Diamondbacks have to offer in a trade, and what they'll want in return. (Hint: New names on the mound.)
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[ktar.com] Diamondbacks problem is in the dugout - I love how this column makes a point of Hinch's only having 32 home runs and 112 RBIs as player, and then talks about Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox, and Charlie Manuel, who combined to have fewer home runs or RBIs then Hinch did as a player. Top notch work.
Around Baseball:
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[nytimes.com] Mariano Rivera, King of the Closers - A great article about Mariano Rivera, Goose Gossage, and the rise of the closer.
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[mlb.com] Clemens to pitch to son in homer derby - So what are the odds he puts the first pitch over the fence, and then Roger uses the second to knock him off the plate, just on pure instinct? First ever family brawl in a home run derby?
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[AP] La Russa: Ejection was not strategic move - "I never, ever, use the umpires for some kind of competitive or whatever advantage," La Russa said Tuesday. "That's a big no-no. You don't use them to entertain your fans, you don't use them to shift blame from your players or fire them up." Umpires, however, say La Russa uses them all the time and never calls the next day, no matter how much he promises to.
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[denverpost.com] Has SI jinx ruined Ubaldo's try for Cy? - I knew it! I saw Tim Lincecum giving an SI editor an envelope full of cash to convince him to put Ubaldo on the cover. Wait, but then he gave Lincecum something in a paper bag. Maybe that guy didn't work for Sports Illustrated after all.
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[deadspin.com] Yankee Fan On Cellphone Catches Ground Rule Double With His Face - Get your head in the game, man! But that was a weird bounce. Oh, and: TWO HANDS!
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[washingtonpost.com] Congressional baseball game video - The game took forever, since they kept waiting from poll results to decide what pitch to throw.
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[fanhouse.com] Manny Ramirez Reportedly Considered Asking for Drug Exemption - An interesting twist. Do they give exemptions for the drugs he tested positive for? In other Manny news, he's getting an MRI on his hamstring in Phoenix tomorrow. Also, possibly a pregnancy test- fingers crossed, everyone!
Your Daily Strasburg
- The Other Man | The New Republic - Meet the saddest victim of Stephen Strasburg’s success.
Well, with another Manny pregnancy joke- like Tulowitzki's triples, they will never get old- that's all for another SnakeBytes. Travel day tomorrow, so we can relax on the win, and look ahead to the Dodgers series this weekend. Go DBacks!