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I always feel nervous the game after a big win, like the one we had last night. Sure, it's a lot of fun while it happens, but there's a feeling of concern that we have "used up" our offense for the series, in scoring 13 runs, when three would have been sufficient. Tonight is almost bound to be a let-down, simply because only three NL teams since 2006 have scored 13 runs in consecutive games. Arizona has done it once, out-slugging the Brewers 15-9 and 13-11 on Sept. 26-27, 2001; so this evening is likely to be disappointing - at least in comparison. Still, I'd be happy to settle for a lower-scoring victory, to guarantee us the series.
It was nice to see yesterday that the Diamondbacks aren't the only team who can be flummoxed by off-speed stuff. Ian Kennedy's repertoire of breaking balls kept the potent Reds' offense off-balance, flailing wildly at his pitches, in particular his change-up. [Random factoid: Kennedy was the only starter this season to win both his team's road and home openers]
Might this be a game-plan Hudson can take with him and use this evening? He has had success against Cincinnati: in two starts last year, he allowed three runs in fifteen innings (1.80 ERA), with a K:BB ratio of 18:1. More of that today would be acceptable. However, Arroyo is no slouch, beating us both times we saw him in 2010, allowing four runs in 13.1 IP (2.70 ERA). Here's our line-up:
- Kelly Johnson 2B
- Stephen Drew SS
- Justin Upton RF
- Russell Branyan 1B
- Chris Young CF
- Miguel Montero C
- Melvin Mora 3B
- Gerardo Parra LF
- Daniel Hudson RHP
Wot? No Willie Bloomquist? Right, this game's crap - let's slash the seats... I men, he and Miggy have only gone and hit safely in every game this season - three D-backs have had longer hitting streaks to open the year, most recently Luis Gonzalez's eight in 2005. The record is ten, by Steve Finley in 2000 and Danny Bautista, 2002. Can't Willie.. Oh, I dunno, play 3B or something? [As an aside, I'm amused how quickly fans have taken to Bloomquist, while rejecting Mora and Xavier Nady. Are we fickle or what?]
Wailord on the recap, I'll be about with SnakeSounds post-game; minor league recap will be up in the morning, I think.