Snake Bytes 8/15: A Comedy of Errors

Diamondbacks News:

Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 7....about that bullpen.

Just after we were all ready to rally behind Archie to close this game out, he laid an egg in the form of a walk off home run courtesy of Nolan Arenado. But that wasn’t all. Archie hit Trevor Story, the lead off batter in the bottom of the 9th with a pitch on the hand. The 2nd time in the game Story was hbp. Now granted it was a one run game when Archie came in and it is his “job” to close, but the D-backs defense fared no better with four total errors in the game. 2 fielding and 2 throwing. A rare feet indeed. By now you know that Robbie Ray left the game after throwing a warm up pitch before the top of the 3rd inning. It is reported he was suffering from back spasms.

Blake Swihhart clears waivers, accepts outright assignment.

From the article; “With Arizona, Swihart was used exclusively as a corner outfielder and first baseman, tallying just 70 trips to the plate over the life of 31 games in a similarly minimal role. The fact that he went unclaimed on waivers when he’s earning less than $1MM and could’ve been controlled through the 2022 season via arbitration doesn’t bode well for his chances of landing a big league contract this winter. For now, though, he’ll try to open some eyes at Triple-A in an effort to work his way back onto the Diamondbacks’ 40-man roster before season’s end.

Robbie Ray exists early with lower back spasms - will have MRI.

“Hopefully, it’s something that’s not really an issue,” Ray said. “I want to take care of it, find out whatever it is and take the proper steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

As I type this I am wearing an ice pack on my lower back..........strange.

Archie Bradley’s scoreless streak comes to an end in loss to Rockies.

From the article; Bradley’s loss and two earned runs broke a streak of 14 straight scoreless outings and 17.1 innings that dated back to June 26. During that streak, Bradley unofficially replaced closer Greg Holland as the situational arm for D-backs manager Torey Lovullo to use when a save situation arose in the ninth. Bradley had picked up a save in four of his last five appearances.

The Diamondbacks face the SF Giants at Chase Field, Rodriguez v Young, 6:40 p.m.

Around Baseball:

Jake Arrieta’s season likely over.

“I’ll probably miss the remainder of the season,” said Arrieta, who is slated to undergo an MRI on Thursday.

Baseball’s 20-something sluggers are saving the sport.

A great read for any Snakepit stat fiend. Lots of charts, bar graphs, numbers, and math. Everything a growing boy needs.

Man dies during taco eating contest at minor league Baseball game.

Hard and crunchy tacos sound like a great food to have an eating contest with. 1 single tortilla chip can choke a man, let alone an entire un-chewed taco shell....

How weather guided MLB schedule maker’s 2020 season vision.

“We took weather into consideration and incorporated various factors into the 2020 schedule for the first two series of the year,” MLB Vice President of Communication, Michael Teevan emailed AccuWeather. “Those factors include emphasizing many Western Division teams and clubs with retractable roofs being at home.”

Off Topic Snake News:

A venomous snake has been missing inside a Bronx Zoo for more than a week.

Staff claims there is no danger to guests, but I do not think I would take my chances. Be sippin’ an ICEE and all of the sudden a missing, venomous snake is hanging out where your drink straw should be. No thanks.