AZ Snake Pit - Game #159, 9/26: Diamondbacks 7, Dodgers 2An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2018-09-27T03:20:07-04:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/176718912018-09-27T03:20:07-04:002018-09-27T03:20:07-04:00Diamondbacks 7, Dodgers 2: Will the last one out of Chase Field please turn off the lights?
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LgHbbI9L8J4SNCU32GirjFS3fOw=/0x103:3902x2704/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61560309/usa_today_11324200.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>I like pictures of sad Dodgers | Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>And leave some kibble out for Baxter, I guess...</p> <p id="m4c68Z">Zach Greinke started out a little wobbly. He got two quick outs to start the first inning, but three straight singles from Muncy, Machado, and Bellinger lead to a run before he was able to get Puig to ground out, ending the inning. In the second, a lead off double from Yasmany Grandal came around to score after <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>’ starter <span>Ross Stripling</span> singled, and the call at the plate was upheld after a Dbacks challenge, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.</p>
<p id="Xfykdg">The <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> started chipping away at that as soon as the page turned to the bottom of the second. <span>Socrates Brito</span> lead the inning off with a solo home run to end the shut out. AJ Pollock tripled, and then he walked home on a <span>Nick Ahmed</span> double, tying the game. One out later, Greinke helped himself out, hitting a single and bringing home <span>Ahmed</span> to give the Diamondbacks a one run lead. Marte kept things going with a single, but Escobar lined out for the second out. Peralta loaded the bases with a walk, but <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> struck out against reliever <span>Pedro Baez</span> to leave them loaded. <strong> 3-2 Diamondbacks</strong></p>
<p id="fQdjDS">Greinke and the Dodger’s bullpen kept both teams scoreless until the Diamondbacks struck again in the bottom of the fifth. <span>Eduardo Escobar</span> lead the inning off with a single, and Goldschmidt added another after Peralta struck out. <span>Brito</span> struck out for the second out, but AJ Pollock put the exclamation mark on the evening with a three run home run to straight away center field, giving the Diamondbacks a 6-2 advantage.</p>
<p id="IvgeIN">That was basically the ball game. Greinke went six solid innings of two runs on eight hits. Peralta added another solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, and Diekman, Zeigler, and Bradley held the Dodgers scoreless after Greinke left the game. Final score 7-2, and the Diamondbacks leave Chase Field for the final time on a winning note.</p>
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<p id="12SpN3">Now, excuse me for a moment while I editorialize for a moment. Can I just say what joy playing spoiler to the Dodgers these past couple days has been? I’ll be the first to admit that it’s a hollow joy, given that twenty five short days ago, we were leading the division, but it is still joy, and I’ll take it as a consolation prize, because tonight, when I log off this site, I’ll do it in the knowledge that right now the Dodgers aren’t in first place in the division, and that’s because of my Diamondbacks.</p>
<p id="a5yi9x">Do you know why? Because the only thing that rivals my love for this mediocre mess of a team is how much I <em>absolutely despise </em>the Dodgers. I hate their ownership who has dumped <em>almost a trillion dollars</em> into the payroll since taking control of the team, all so they could have the exact same number of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> rings as the Diamondbacks over that time. I hate the LA media that fawns over them like the MLB equivalent of the Golden State Warriors despite the fact that they would be in <em>fourth place</em> in the AL East. And I hate their bandwagon fans, a significant portion of which showed up in LeBron jerseys tonight. News flash guys! <em>That’s the wrong sport!</em></p>
<p id="8PwlAD">Is this a “shitty take”? Does this mean I write for a “joke of a fansite”? Am I “Petty”? “Insecure”? “Bitter”? “Jealous”? an “idiot”? Or even better “a whiny little upstart who wants to deny Los Angeles of its civic birthright”? Sure, I guess it does, but I’ll let you know when I care, because nothing tastes better in my morning coffee than the salty tears of Dodger fans. Don’t worry guys. When you choke against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> this weekend and miss out even on a Wild Card spot, I’ll have a spot saved for you on the couch.</p>
<p id="HDzeaG">ISH95, out.</p>
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<p id="pZPFW3"><strong>Dodger Tears:</strong> Greinke 14.5%, Pollock 27.9%</p>
<p id="AFRWmn">Comment of the night goes to Rockkstarr. Technically violates the rules, so I’m not going to propagate it from the thread it’s already in, but it just fits too well with my recap theme, so <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2018/9/26/17907952/gameday-thread-159-9-26-vs-dodgers#490752863">here’s a link</a>. Amen, sister.</p>
<p id="3R7XjR">DC had almost half of the 578 comments. All present were:</p>
<p id="3YsYgA">AngusDay, AzDbackfanInDc, BobDolio, DORRITO, DeadManG, FishOnEmm, GuruB, Imstillhungry95, Jack Sommers, Jim McLennan, Johnneu, Makakilo, Michael McDermott, MikeMono, MrMrrbi, Penitentiary Face, Rockkstarr12, coldblueAZ, david.munter, edbigghead, hotclaws, onedotfive, suroeste</p>
<p id="0CaNgJ">Off day tomorrow, then three completely meaningless games in San Diego. What fun. We’ll be here. See ya.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/2018/9/27/17908836/diamondbacks-7-dodgers-2-pollock-peralta-greinke-britoImstillhungry952018-09-27T00:55:21-04:002018-09-27T00:55:21-04:00Quick Recap
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Lvq8Zn61z57AA1U_JOxU5IUHJT8=/0x0:1927x1285/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61559263/usa_today_11324202.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="wfEVAA">The good <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> showed up tonight, on the back of a solid performance from Zach Greinke. Greinke ended up going six innings, giving up two runs on eight hits. Wasn’t his best night, but good enough. In addition to that, he also had a decent night at the plate, getting a hit and an RBI.</p>
<p id="g1FiCa">On the flip side, the offense was also good, but nothing really special either. AJ Pollock provided the big blow, a three run home run in the fifth inning. <span>Socrates Brito</span> had a solo shot of his own before that in the third inning, and <span>David Peralta</span> followed with a solo shot in the seventh to pad the lead. </p>
<p id="xslBcQ">The bullpen did their job. <span>Jake Diekman</span>, <span>Brad Ziegler</span>, and <span>Archie Bradley</span> all held the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> scoreless, and ended the final home series on a high note. Full recap to follow when I get back from the park.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/2018/9/27/17908700/quick-recap-diamondbacks-dodgersImstillhungry952018-09-26T21:30:00-04:002018-09-26T21:30:00-04:00Gameday Thread, #159: 9/26 vs. Dodgers
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<img alt="Olivia Newton-John &amp; Cast Of ‘Grease’ Promote Breast Cancer Awareness" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qV4X1vo2ZgoweS_a_5_EpKDi9YU=/0x49:3000x2049/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61557153/83169547.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">September 26 - Happy bday: Brian Ferry 73, Olivia Newton-John 70, Craig Chaquico[Jefferson Starship] 64, Linda Hamilton 62, Cinday Herron[En Vogue] 57, Melissa Sue Anderson 56, Shawn Stockman[Boyz 2 Men]46, Serena Williams 37.</p>— Today In History (@Yesterday_Today) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yesterday_Today/status/1044935415751475201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/2018/9/26/17907952/gameday-thread-159-9-26-vs-dodgersJim McLennan2018-09-26T20:30:02-04:002018-09-26T20:30:02-04:00Preview, #159: 9/26 vs. Dodgers
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/W261eMkymlNy-9ZhkZilD-GLzjY=/0x0:2896x1931/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61556561/usa_today_11318744.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>I’d like to thank Eduardo Escobar for making me excited about baseball again. </p> <div id="5F5W5L">
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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<th align="left">DODGERS</th>
<th align="left">DIAMONDBACKS</th>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Joc Pederson - LF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Ketel Marte - 2B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Justin Turner - 3B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Eduardo Escobar - 3B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Max Muncy - 1B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">David Peralta - LF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Manny Machado - SS</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Paul Goldschmidt - 1B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Cody Bellinger - CF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Socrates Brito - RF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Yasiel Puig - RF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">A.J. Pollock - CF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Yasmani Grandal - C</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Nick Ahmed - SS</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Chris Taylor - 2B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Jeff Mathis - C</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Ross Stripling - RHP</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Zack Greinke - RHP</td>
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<p id="JisWZZ">I’ll be honest. I wrote last night’s game off after <span>Brad Boxberger</span> blew the save in the ninth inning. I certainly didn’t expect <span>Eduardo Escobar</span> to walk Arizona off as winners just a few pitches later. But it gives us the distinct, non-zero possibility of sending the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> out of Arizona in second place at the end of tonight. We just need the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> to keep beating up on the already eliminated <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>, and <span>Zack Greinke</span> to <span>Greinke</span>. That delicious prospect seemed little more than a pipe dream in the middle of the ninth last night. But here we are, with not one but two pennant races in the NL, since the wobbly <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> also saw their edge over the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> cut to half a game. </p>
<p id="d4Ff6p">The Rockies also overtook the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> for the second wild-card, so the possibilities are endless right now. We could, <em>technically</em>, end with a five-way tie on 91 wins at the top of the NL. I have no freakin’ clue how MLB would sort that out. It remains VERY unlikely, but there is a distinct, non-zero possibility of a tie in either West or Central. Or, better still, both. :) Damn, while I’d rather see the Dodgers sent home ignominiously, the next best thing would probably be the baseball Ragnarok of them facing the Cubs in the wild-card game at Wrigley Field. Big question for LA: assuming stuff is still to be decided, do you burn Kershaw in Game #161 on Saturday? Or keep him back for the wild card or Game 1 of the NLDS?</p>
<p id="G3LOL4">Certainly, the psychological edge tonight has to be with the D-backs. After the walk-off and with nothing to prove, they’re going to be a lot looser than the Dodgers, who are feeling the hot breath of Dinger on their neck. It’s an enthralling prospect, and I’ve even decided to abandon my previous pledge, not actively to watch the D-backs until they won two in a row. We may be eliminated, but can still be the Claudius to the Dodger’s Hamlet [I may be mixing my Shakespearean metaphors there], and that’s worth making the effort of at least initially tuning in. I reserve the right to change my mind if we suck, of course. :) Do not disappoint me in your final start, Zack. </p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/2018/9/26/17907856/preview-159-9-26-vs-dodgersJim McLennan