Snake Bytes 9/3: Diamondbacks, Party for Nine.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have now won 9 games in a row tied for the 2nd longest streak in franchise history. The longest streak for the team was 12 games back in 2003. The last time Arizona won 9 in a row was in 2011, which is also the most recent postseason appearance for the Diamondbacks. It is likely that the Diamondbacks will have an opportunity to seek postseason revenge against the Colorado Rockies or Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field in a 1 game play in. Zack Godley (6-7, 3.29 ERA) will attempt to secure the 3rd series sweep in a row facing off against German Marquez (10-5, 4.18 ERA).

Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 2

[D’backs.com] Going streaking: D-backs take it to the nines - If Paul Goldschmidt went 0-5 with 3 strikeouts and left 6 men on base a month ago, the Diamondbacks likely would have lost that game. Instead the rest of the team found a way to pick up the win during a difficult game for their MVP. J.D. Martinez began the scoring in the 1st with a 3 run shot to center off of Jon Gray. Martinez drove in 4 of the Arizona’s 6 runs.

"I feel like every time J.D. steps in the box, something good is going to happen," said D-backs catcher Chris Herrmann. "He's such a threat at the plate. I know the opposing team is probably intimidated by him. Just knowing that he has a chance to hit a home run each and every at-bat has to be tough on those guys. They have to make quality pitches, and if they don't, he's going to make it hurt."

[Arizona Sports] D-backs lean on Corbin, Martinez to beat Rockies for ninth straight win - Patrick Corbin may have not pitched deep into the game, and he nearly walked as many batters (3) as he struck out (4). However, he turned in a solid performance against a Rockies team that hits better against left handed batters this season in an extremely difficult environment to pitch. Off speed pitches do not break as much at Coors which limited the most significant factor in Corbin’s recent success. Considering the circumstances he pitched an admirable game continuing his past month of sustained success.

"It wasn't the length he's been giving us," manager Torey Lovullo said of Corbin's start. "Patrick pitched into the sixth inning and turned it over to the bullpen. He kept a very offensive lineup in check, a very right-handed-hitting offensive lineup in check that does very well against left-handed pitching."

[AZ Central] Diamondbacks down Rockies to extend win streak to 9 - It is a shame to think that if the Diamondbacks did not struggle through July and August a National League West title would realistically be within reach. What is more important is that the Diamondbacks are not limping into October. A strong September finish should put the rest of the Senior Circuit on notice.

“For a lot of guys here, this is a first, this deep in the season, to be playing meaningful games,” Corbin said. “It’s exciting. This is what we prepare for all offseason, all spring training, for this. We’ve just got to continue. We’ve got a month left. We’re playing good baseball at the right time.”

Diamondbacks News

[ESPN] Robbie Ray wears insert in cap after line drive to head - Robbie Ray is now wearing a carbon fiber hat insert on the left side from Safer Sports Technologies Pro Performance that weighs 1.7 ounces. Major League Baseball and the Player’s Association apparently have not tested or approved the insert. Carbon fiber tends to shatter upon high impact, so it is possible that the product might being able to absorb most force from a comebacker.

"I accepted what happened. It was part of the game, and it's not a big deal. I know that I go out every five days and am the closest on the field to the hitter other than the catcher." - Robbie Ray

[D’backs.com] D-backs bolster 'pen depth with Sherfy - Jimmie Sherfy has faced 6 batters in 2 Major League innings striking out 3 without allowing a single baserunner. The Reno Aces will reluctantly surrender him to the parent club during their own postseason push. Arizona cannot afford to have Silvino Bracho imploding at the tail end of close games. Sherfy was drafted in 2013 as a 21 year old by the Diamondbacks at number 300 overall.

[Arizona Sports] D-backs’ streak of innings with lead is one of the longest since 1920 - This streak is in serious jeopardy with how much it has been mentioned in the past 12 hours. If there was ever a prime stadium to have an opportunity to take the lead in the first inning, it would be Coors Field or Chase Field. If the Diamondbacks can score in the first inning today and hold the lead until the 5th, they will break the record set by the Baltimore Orioles back in 1983. It appears that Arizona has returned to its record setting play that was experienced at the beginning of the season.

Around the League

[Fox Sports] Giancarlo Stanton adds to MLB HR lead with 52nd of season - At what point do pitchers refuse to throw to Giancarlo Stanton? With 27 games left in the season for Miami, Stanton is 21 homers away from Bonds’ all time single season record. I am starting to believe that he might actually have a chance. In 29 games in August, he hit 18 dingers, so he has the potential to come tantalizingly close. If he surpasses 65 for the season, it would be difficult to build a case against him for the National League Most Valuable Player. These are not cheap home runs that he is hitting.

[CBS Sports] Rays' Archer exits start after allowing back-to-back home runs to White Sox - Chris Archer left the game in the 1st inning with forearm tightness in his throwing arm. Prior experience with Shelby Miller earlier in the season indicates that more bad news might be on the way for the young ace which would be damaging to the Rays playoff aspirations.

[ESPN Insider] MLB's luckiest and unluckiest hitters of 2017 - Hit the ball hard and good results should follow. Right? Well, that all depends on hit location, launch angles, and park factors. Unsurprisingly, the Detroit Tigers have been the most unlucky team this season with a lineup full of mashers underperforming leading to a complete teardown. They lead the majors in hard hit rate at 39.3%. For comparison, the Diamondbacks are tied for third on that list with a 34.5% hard hit rate. At one end of the spectrum, Albert Pujols .281 wOBA is below his expected wOBA of .317 which would still be behind league average. Matt Carpenter is a different kind of extreme with an above league average wOBA of .355 lagging behind an expected wOBA of .408.