:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19129289/179778644.0.jpg)
Quick Quotes
"I was thinking, 'Someone get on base,'" D-backs manager Kirk Gibson. "I put him [Chavez up there], because he has a lot of experience. He was the guy for the job. My thought is, 'He's pitched a great game, now let's break his heart.'"
Kirk Gibson
"I gave it my best effort, but it wasn't enough," Pence said. "A low liner in front of me. I felt when it was hit I was in a dream where I could not run fast enough. Off the bat, it looked a little short."
Hunter Pence
"I wasn't trying to break his heart; I was trying to break it up," Chavez said. "It's a pride thing."
Eric Chavez
Daily Diamondback Digest
Oh-So Close to Perfection
For the second time in the span of one week, the Diamondbacks faced Yusmeiro Petit, a former pitcher of theirs who had been so uninspiring over the course of his three partial seasons with the big league club, that he was released at the end of the 2009 season. Last week, the journeyman starter faced off against the Diamondbacks number one pitcher, Patrick Corbin. The matchup looked good for Arizona. However, Patrick Corbin had one of the worst outings of his career, meanwhile Petit turned in a solid performance, holding the Diamondbacks to just 2 runs over his six innings of work. Last night, the same two pitchers faced off again. This time, however, Corbin was much better, allowing only three runs in his eight-inning complete game performance. Unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, it was yet another night when a strong overall performance by Corbin was squandered by an offense that couldn't seem to break through as Yusmeiro Petit came one borderline call (or one strong diving attempt by Hunter Pence) away from pitching the 24th perfect game in MLB history. As it is, Eric Chavez lined a single to right, making the game the 12th perfect game to be broken up on the 27th batter. Here are some reactions to last night's sterling pitching performance.
Petit Lives up to the Hype for One Night
Former BA writer/editor, David Schoenfield reminisces about his time covering the Mets' farm system that had Petit ranked number two and 2012 perfect game hurler Philip Humber ranked number 5.
Eric Chavez and His Last-Chance "Heroics"
Matt Cain will be making his first post-DL start Saturday against the Diamondbacks. Eaton is starting to thrive, Posey is still ailing, and Paul Goldschmidt really seems to love AT&T Park.
Around MLB
(Yes, other things did happen around baseball other than the Diamondbacks flirting with disaster.)
Dodgers' Kemp Shut-Down Indefinitely
The Los Angeles Dodger seem to be on cruise control heading into the postseason, but it looks like they will likely have to wait until 2014 to see their All-Star center fielder again.
The Detroit third baseman was back in the lineup on Friday. It turns out the Tigers actually didn't need him though, as they pounded out 26 hits in a 16-2 rout of James Shields and the Kansas City Royals.
Alex Rodriguez's Appeal Hearing Scheduled (Sort of)
Rodriguez will have his appeal heard on September 30th, unless the Yankees make the playoffs. In that event, it could be delayed.