SnakeBytes 8/13: SnakePitFestAPalooza Edition

The DBacks started off strong yesterday, and then coasted through the rest of the game, just enough to win it. Hey, it's not a comeback win, but it'll do.

Recaps:

• [DBacks.com] Kennedy wins 15th as D-backs up division lead - It wasn't a perfect game by any measure, but it was enough for Ian Kennedy to earn his 15th win of the season, tied with Roy Halladay for best in the National League.

• [FS Arizona] D-backs' Kennedy ties Halladay for NL win lead - I just said that!

• [AZ Central] Arizona Diamondbacks defeat NY Mets, extend lead in NL West - Kennedy's also got the longest active win streak in the majors. Not a bad season for the guy.

• [New York Times] Mets Lose to Diamondbacks as Hopes for Late Run Dim - I think those hopes may already be extinguished. If the Braves play .500 for the rest of the season, they'd end with 91 wins, and the Mets would need to go 33-11 to tie them for the Wild Card.

• [DBacks.com] Extra work paying off for Goldschmidt - He's only been up with the team for a couple of weeks, but he's definitely inserted himself into the narrative of the season.

• [FS Arizona] Goldschmidt listens, learns - See what I mean?

• [AZ Central] Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson appreciates Chris Young's approach - It may make it hard to sit CY, but he always wants to contribute.

• [MLB.com] D-backs' Xavier Nady fractures left hand - Nady is supposed to be out for four to six weeks. We just signed Lyle Overbay to replace him.

Around Baseball:

• [ESPN] Chicago Cubs' Carlos Zambrano ejected, mulling retirement - "Mulling retirement" makes it sound much calmer than other reports do.

  [SI.com] Atlanta Braves retire Bobby Cox's number - Bobby Cox also threw out the first pitch, and then was ejected from the game by the home plate umpire.

• [Big League Stew] Not so fast! Ump calls automatic ball on Chen’s ‘quick pitch’ - In recognition of his fine work, the umpire in question will be behind home plate for the next Red Sox-Yankees matchup, which is estimated to take roughly as long as one full performance of Der Ring des Nibelungen.

• [HardballTalk] Bad hop grounder leaves Justin Smoak with broken nose - Second inning of his first start after ten games off for a sore thumb. Ouch.