SnakeBytes 6/22: Bring the Pena Edition

I make no apologies.

Recaps:

• [DBacks.com] Saunders snaps skid; D-backs back atop NL West - You know, one pitch into the bottom of the first inning, and the game looked like it might go differently...

• [FS Arizona] Pena hits 1st homer in 3 years to lift D-backs - Pretty much exactly what we were hoping from Pena- keep it up, man.

• [AZ Central] Arizona Diamondbacks' Wily Mo Pena flexes power bat in return to big leagues - Wily Mo is trying to turn his career around- he's always been a power hitter, but he's trying to show he can hit for average, too.

• [KansasCity.com] D-backs leave Royals, Hochevar feeling snakebitten - Hochevar started off strong, but he fell apart a bit in the seventh, and the Royals offense never showed up to support him.

• [DBacks.com] Upton's relaxed approach working at plate - Also, a closeup picture of the Kirk Gibson tie.

• [AZ Central] Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson seeking bullpen stability - Two months of good bullpen work started the season, but they have struggled in the month of June- a 6.13 ERA is last in the league.

• [MiLB.com] Cal notes: Davidson keeps delivering - Matt Davidson may not be getting the playing time he wants at third base in Visalia, but he's making his presence known- 62 RBIs in 66 games, though he's working to get his strike outs down.

• [Modern Times] Justin Upton Carrying Arizona Diamondbacks - Has Justin Upton helped the DBacks avoid a June swoon? Well, he did step up as the bullpen began to falter.

Around Baseball:

• [FanGraphs] Madison Bumgarner’s Bum Start - It's fun watching your division rival give up 8 runs on only one out. But why did it happen? Well, some bad luck, sure, but part of it seems to be that Madison Bumgarner just kept throwing the ball over the plate...

• [ESPN] Frank McCourt lawyer: Bud Selig didn't act in good faith - Selig didn't act in good faith? McCourt basically tried to force Selig into accepting the broadcast contract- a contract Selig has repeatedly rejected- but it's Selig who isn't acting in good faith?

• [Big League Stew] You got Jack’d: McKeon removes Marlins pitcher with 2-1 count - Not often you'll see a pitcher pulled in the middle of an at-bat. But, hey, if it works...

• [SI.com] Cards' Albert Pujols: 'I feel like I can play' despite cast - Defense is one thing, but could you really hit with your arm in a cast? Seems like a bad idea to me.

• [FanGraphs] Frustrating Fish, or, Marlins Make Me Mad - Yeah, Frank McCourt draws most of MLB's ire, with the remaining going to Fred Wilpon. But should the Marlins really avoid scrutiny like they do?