Snake Bytes, 8/22: McCarthy Left Red-Faced

Quick Quotes

"They played their tails off," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said of his team. "They did a heck of a job. They had a terrible start. They played great, I've got no complaints about it at all."

Kirk Gibson

"I couldn't get anything down in the zone for whatever reason," McCarthy said. "I really think mechanically I just got some issues I have to iron out. Anytime that happens, it's hard for me to locate and establish. It just makes a mess."

Brandon McCarthy

"Whenever we scored that couple of runs to make it 8-4, I think everybody thought we were going to give this team a run for their money," outfielder A.J. Pollock said. "If we're there at the end of the game, we do a good job of scratching together that key run. I don't think there's anybody in here who didn't think we had a chance."

A.J. Pollock

"We fought back but we didn't have enough to piece together for the win," Pollock said. "We know our character and our character is we don't give up."

A.J. Pollock

Daily Diamondback Digest

Diamondbacks' Furious Rally Falls Short

Brandon McCarthy had a brutal start, leaving the Diamondbacks down 8-0 after only two and a third innings. The Arizona offense came to life in the fifth inning to cut the lead in half. They would go on to score three more before the end of the eighth, but the bullpen was unable to keep the Reds off the board again in the bottom of the frame, as the Diamondbacks eventually lost the game 10-7.

Hill Hits While Goldy is Grand

Aaron Hill has found his timing and his stroke after missing a significant portion of the season due to a broken hand. Paul Goldschmidt joined another elite group of former Diamondbacks when he hit a grand slam on Tuesday night, lifting his season RBI total to 100.

Paul Goldschmidt in Good Company

On Tuesday night, Paul Goldschmidt launched an 8^th inning grand slam into the Cincinnati night, tying him with Pedro Alvarez of the Pirates for first in the NL in home runs, and extending his lead to eight RBIs over Brandon Phillips. Oh, and he made it to the 100 RBI mark, making him only the sixth Diamondback to have 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in a season.

Paul Goldschmidt and the MVP Race

Paul Goldschmidt talks (or actually doesn't) about being in the thick of the NL MVP race.

Related: Why WAR Could Cost Goldschmidt the MVP

McCarthy, Cahill Could Be Keys to Diamondbacks' Playoff Hopes

Kevin Towers looks to the returning Brandon McCarthy and Trevor Cahill to return to form to help the Diamondbacks down the stretch run.

Around MLB

Ichiro Garners Hit Number 2,722 - Passes Lou Gehrig on All-time Hits List

The hit also just so happened to be the 4,000^th hit in his professional career when his Japanese career is considered. While the accomplishments are of two totally different varieties, one is still left to wonder what would have happened if the man who had, historically speaking, the best ten-year run as a hitter in MLB, would have played his entire career in America.

RelatedIchiro Did It His Way

Heyward to Miss Minimum 4-6 Weeks with Broken Jaw

First it was Tim Hudson covering first base. Now, it's Jason Heyward getting hit by a pitch. The Atlanta Braves should be very glad for the mammoth lead they have in the NL East as they have now lost two stars of the team for the remainder of the regular season. Heyward's jaw was broken in two places after getting hit by a Jonathan Niese fastball on Wednesday. Incidentally, it was also I a game against the Mets in which the Braves lost Hudson.

Highlight Reel

Ichiro's Hit

An impressive feat no matter how it is measured.

Ramirez Trying to Be Slick

But the Umpires will have none of it.

Huff's Flip

Pitchers that can field are nice to have around.

Wieters' Gun Ends Game

Former Diamondback Kelly Johnson's TOOTBLAN ends the game.