SnakeBytes 5/31: Mesoraco? Really?

Quotes

"Every player is kind of working on their mechanics and sometimes they forget to look at the mental part of the game and that's the biggest part of the game I think," Pollock said. "That's what separates the good hitters from the best hitters."

- A.J Pollock

"I was aware that he likes to flip that easy breaking ball in there for a first-pitch strike, especially in situations where he really needs a strike," Mesoraco said. "I wouldn't say that I was looking for it, but I went up there with an idea that may be coming."

- Devin Mesoraco

Recaps

Arroyo greeted with second-inning slam by ex-team - dbacks.com

The Reds evened their four-game series with the D-backs thanks to a 6-4 win at Chase Field on Friday night

Devin Mesoraco's grand slam lifts Reds over Diamondbacks - azcentral

The Reds had no problem roughing up Arroyo in their first trip through the order. Arroyo was tagged with eight hits through the first three innings with four runs coming in the second. The Reds loaded the bases on three straight singles and then cleared them when Mesoraco pounced on a 69 mph curveball for his second career grand slam to put the Reds ahead 4-1.

Mesoraco's 2 home runs sink Diamondbacks - fox sports arizona

Devin Mesoraco hit a grand slam off former Cincinnati teammate Bronson Arroyo and the Reds went on to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 on Friday night. Mesoraco also had a solo shot off reliever Evan Marshall in the ninth inning for the second two-homer game of his career.

D'backs loss by the numbers - arizona sports 620

They say familiarity breeds contempt, and that certainly seemed to be the case Friday night between Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Bronson Arroyo and his former team, the Cincinnati Reds.Here's a look at the D'backs loss to the Reds by the numbers.

Daily D'backs

Price was just right for Diamondbacks' Bronson Arroyo- azcentral

Their relationship could have been clunky and awkward. When Bryan Price joined the Reds staff in 2010 as a pitching coach, the message he pulled from his first conversation with right-hander Bronson Arroyo was that his help might not be needed.

Mental approach key for Pollock's success - dbacks.com: news

D-backs outfielder A.J. Pollock is riding a hot stretch these days, but it hasn't all been smooth sailing for him this year. A little more than a month ago Pollock was hitting just .235 and the biggest challenge for him at that point was keeping his mindset positive.

Arizona Diamondbacks' J.J. Putz 'encouraged' after simulated game - arizona sports 620

With the roof open, exposing Chase Field to full sunlight and temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, J.J. Putz threw 24 pitches in a simulated game, the latest step in his comeback from forearm tightness.

May play has been kinder to Diamondbacks after rough start - azcentral

After going 9-22 in the first month of the season, including two March games in Australia, the Diamondbacks entered Friday night's 6-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds with a 14-11 record in May. Arizona's .560 winning percentage in May is sixth-best in the majors, and third in the NL behind only the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants.

Around Baseball

Astros win 7th straight- astros.com

So add the Astros to the list of longer winning streaks than the 2012-2014 D'backs.

Benches clear in Boston - mlb.com