clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

SnakeBytes 5/17: Off-Day Swim Party

After the 4-3 home-stand, the D-backs head for their first 3 of 21 road games in the next 31 days to face the struggling Miami Marlins. Struggling may be putting it lightly as they are already 19 games under .500. Kirk Gibson talks defense, Heath Bell expects the boo birds in his first return to Miami, and the D-backs top the leader-board in this surprising category.

I WAS IN THE POOL!
I WAS IN THE POOL!
Adam Eaton @AdamSpankyEaton

Quotient Quotables

"I know it's helped for sure, but I can't measure it. It's probably the strength of our team, the most consistent part."

-- Kirk Gibson, trolling Steve Berthiaume and Bob Brenly's obsession with the defensive runs saved stat.

"I’m going to be booed, just like I was in San Diego. The fans are going to boo me because of how I performed, and trust me, I was more disappointed in myself. But sometimes you have bad years. Last year was a learning experience for me. I think I am a better person and a better player because of it. All I can do is try to be a better person from now on.

-- Heath Bell

NEATO-STAT-OF-THE-DAY

Through Wednesday's game, the D-backs have lost 174 games to injuries, not including issues that did not require a trip to the disabled list. Here's the breakdown: Bloomquist (41), Eaton (41), Hill (29), Kubel (28), Ross (16), Didi Gregorius (11, concussion), Putz (8). Good for 4th most in the MLB.

DBACKS SWIM TRUNKS

D-backs head to Miami with some momentum | foxsportsarizona.com
The D-backs and Marlins enter at opposite ends of the success spectrum. The D-backs, at 23-18, are near the top of the NL West, while the Marlins, at 11-30, are in the cellar of the NL East. The D-backs will need to take advantage of their upper hand with so many road games over the next month.

Injuries, lost production not deterring D-backs | foxsportsarizona.com
There are a few teams every baseball season particularly troubled by a rash of injuries. It's nothing new; it just happens. This year, the Diamondbacks are one of those teams, having at different times been without their starting second baseman, closer, each of their projected starting outfielders and multiple infielders.

D-backs' Kubel dealing with another quad issue | foxsportsarizona.com
There is a reason left-handed power bat Jason Kubel has not been in the starting lineup against right-handers the last two days. Kubel recently aggravated the left quadriceps injury that landed him on the disabled list a week into the season, and the D-backs are proceeding with caution in hopes that he does not need another stay on the disabled list.

Bell believes he's better for Miami experience | foxsportsarizona.com
Heath Bell will return to Miami this weekend as the same effective, efficient closer he was before he got there in 2012 and the one he has become again with five saves in the last nine games for the Diamondbacks. Logic points to Miami, the biggest variable, as the cause of the blip on the resume that last year became.

Gibson touts consistent glovework as team's strength & Chavez credits D-backs trainer for health, success | dbacks.com
For most players, isolating a point in their season when things began to click is a difficult task. But for D-backs third baseman Eric Chavez, there's no hesitation at all when reflecting on the first month and a half of 2013.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Miami Marlins - May 17, 2013 | MLB.com
Trevor Cahill (2-4) will take the hill for the D-backs on Friday at Marlins Park hoping for more help than he received in his last start on Saturday, when he allowed one earned run in a 3-1 loss to the Phillies.

This Day in Baseball

9yAkYRE.gif (500×250)
A new challenger for worst slide ever.

Oh wait never mind, this is pretty bad.

z2byln8.gif (575×374)
I'm kinda sad he's retiring.

IhZqKB2.gif (450×308)
Your MVP folks.

CIN@MIA: Chapman freezes Dietrich to end game - Video | MLB.com
Think you can hit a 100+ mph fastball? Oh let me just throw this slider.

ibz0ZhWk5wxhO0.gif (420×234)
Give that kid a contract!

Robert Coello is throwing an ancient new pitch | Baseball Nation
I hate to toot my own horn, but I used to throw a forkball in high school. As you can probably tell by me writing on the internet, it wasn't very good.