Record: 56-55. Pace: 82-82. Change on last year: -5.
I wish I could tell you about a great game, but sadly I cannot. If you didn't watch it, perhaps it would be better if you didn't know. Not that it was a particularly epic loss. It was more the kind where the other team is desperately trying to give it away, and your own team can't capitalize. Of course, most days when you score 6 runs you can reasonably expect a win. Tonight was only the 8th time this season the Diamondbacks have scored at least 6 runs in a losing effort. Let's hope it's the last.
Things seemed to get off to a great start: Stephen Drew continued his hot run by leading the game off with a double. Willie Bloomquist bunted a single to get on base, which pushed Drew to third. A single by The New Guy, Chris Johnson, and a sac-fly by Paul Goldschmidt later and the Diamondbacks had themselves an early 2-0 lead.
It wouldn't last long, however, with the Pirates striking back in the bottom of the first, tagging Ian Kennedy for 3 runs. The D-backs would never lead again in the game. (If you insist on knowing the particulars, Andrew McCutchen knocked a two out single, Garret Jones followed with one of his own, and they were both brought home with a 3 run homer by Neil Walker).
Here's the understatement of the night: Ian Kennedy did not look very good. He only went 4 innings, gave up 5 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks, and only struck out 3. Josh Collmenter would later give up a solo home run to Starling Marte, but the Diamondbacks pitching was otherwise serviceable. In other words, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
The Diamondbacks certainly had their opportunities to come back and win the game, given that they tagged Kevin Correia for 4 runs, the bullpen for another 2, and received extra baserunners via 4 walks and 4 errors. Yet somehow the Diamondbacks did not completely capitalize, and by the time the 9th came around Joel Hanrahan was summoned to slam the door shut. He struck out the side and was a total boss with his 97 mph fastball.
A strange incident occurred at the end of the top of the 7th: both Chris Young and Justin Upton were thrown out of the game. What happened, you ask? Well, the bases were loaded with two outs, and Chris Young was called out on strikes, looking. He did not take kindly to this, and slammed his bat down in front of the ump. After a brief exchange of words he was tossed, and then he really lost it. Justin Upton was also tossed when he turned around to the umpiring crew and said some not nice things. I don't know if it would have resulted in a Diamondbacks win to lose 2/3rds of the outfield, but it certainly didn't help.
Look, the game sucked but now it's over.
Source: FanGraphs
Best: Willie Bloomquist (43.5%)
Worst: Ian Kennedy (-63%)
A fairly busy Gameday Thread, given that it was a Wednesday afternoon game against the Pirates. imstillhungry95 took first place for comments, and was joined in the Century Club by Clefo. They were joined by this illustrious group: AzDbackfanInDc, dbacks79, Bcawz, Rockkstarr12, hotclaws, asteroid, GuruB, onedotfive, Murricles, txzona, Jim McLennan, Turambar, since_98, SenSurround, rd33, PR151, Frank Squishy, xmet, Gildo, DivineWolfwood, egboyz, Muu, Rcastillo, Circa4life, JoeCB1991, CaptainCanuck, Augdogs, Marc Fournier, peachBazket, ol Pete, 4 Corners Fan, blank_38
Comment of the Day goes to PR151 for the truth about Chris Young getting tossed, even though it hurts:
An Extreme TOOTBLAN:
Thrown Out Of The Ballgame Like A Nincompoop
My name is not O'Houigheighi nor is it Brian
by PR151 on Aug 8, 2012 9:52 PM EDT via Android app reply actions 6 recs
Tomorrow is a ridiculously early game, and by early I mean 1:05pm. Tomorrow is also, I'll have you know, Diamondponies Day. I expect lots of Ponies, but only the fabulous ones will do. Also, the D-backs will try to tie up the series, or something. I'll be at work, one ear glued to the old timey radio. Send help, as my ear will be glued to a radio.