AZ Snake Pit - Game #7: Diamondbacks 2, Rockies 12An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2014-04-04T21:00:42-04:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/53466172014-04-04T21:00:42-04:002014-04-04T21:00:42-04:00Diamondbacks 2, Rockies 12: Blacked out in Coors
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KiZ9my4rBWx1BymamG0UPmfh_FI=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31164305/482769769.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Doug Pensinger</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ironically, before this game, I was discussing with Turambar the possibility of a combined recap/Fang Food piece. It's ironic, because pretty much the only way to get through this one would have been to drink heavily.</p> <p id="hkxDVM"><strong>Record: 1-6. Pace: 23-139. Change on 2013: -4.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="l83Utn">The television screen is the retina of the mind's eye. Therefore, the television screen is part of the physical structure of the brain. Therefore, whatever appears on the television screen emerges as raw experience for those who watch it. Therefore, television is reality, and reality is less than television.<br> -- Brian O'Blivion, <em>Videodrome</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="xxZMIH">In keeping with the above, I am unilaterally declaring that this game, which was not shown in Arizona, was simply a collective hallucination, in my case brought about by an over-indulgence in pepperoni and meatball <em>calzone</em> from Gus's last night. I really should lay off those. After all, we only lost one game last year by 10 runs; that was right at the dog-end of the season in late September, and I know it happened because I was there in San Diego. It's just not possible that our first official "road" game of the season could result in such a horrifically embarrassing scoreline, is it?</p>
<p id="1imo0R">Unfortunately, denial will take me only so far, since it is very much possible. In the first six games, we could at least take some consolation in the fact that the end results were fairly close [even if it took a ninth-inning surge, as in the second Sydney game]. None of our five defeats prior to today had been by more than three runs, so we had the illusion of being in those games. This one? Not so much. Colorado scored every time they came up bar the second and fifth innings, and put six runs up before Mark Trumbo launched his third home-run of the year to get the D-backs on the board.</p>
<p id="6NVvkp">The idea of <span>Randall Delgado</span> pitching in Coors was one which was understandably an issue of some concern, given his home-run tendencies. While he did allow one home-run, the problem was more the nine other hits Delgado also gave up, plus two walks, over four innings of work. <span>Charlie Blackmon</span>, atop the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> order, was a particular tormentor of all our pitchers this afternoon. He was a triple short of the cycle by one out in the fourth inning, and followed up with three <u>more</u>, to end the day 6-for-6 with four extra-base hits. As kishi and I both researched, he's only <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/cQT1N">the eighth player in the live-ball era</a> to accomplish that feat. Have yourself a day, Mr. Blackmon.</p>
<p id="Y8CiGJ">If Delgado was bad, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> bullpen, again pushed into action for the fifth inning, wasn't a great deal better. A scoreless - indeed, hitless - fifth inning from <span>J.J. Putz</span> was about the high point of the entire afternoon, as far as our pitchers were concerned. After that, it was back into the meat-grinder, as <span>Joe Thatcher</span>, <span>Brad Ziegler</span> and <span>Oliver Perez</span> each gave up two runs, on seven hits and three walks in their three innings. We've now allowed 17 runs after the sixth inning, in just seven games (and the Rockies didn't even need to bat in the ninth today). That's a team ERA from the seventh inning on of 7.65. Not quite the improved bullpen we wanted to see.</p>
<p id="xfVCOc">But just as much venom deserves to be leveled at the offense, because two runs isn't enough to win many games at Coors. And that's putting it mildly: teams scoring two there now have a record of 12-125. So, not quite getting it done. There were a couple of bright points, not least <span>Mark Trumbo's</span> third home-run of the year, as he seemed to appreciate Coors Field every bit as much as he appreciated Chase Field and the Sydney Cricket Ground. He's probably being BABIP'y as hell, and he still hasn't taken a single walk, but a .965 OPS is everything he was traded for, and then some. <span>Aaron Hill</span> also had a couple of hits and is hitting over .300.</p>
<p id="2sdnho">As mentioned in the GDT, I don't think we've ever been so excited for an infield single in the eighth inning of a blowout, as it extended Paul Goldschmidt's hitting streak to 26 games. Now easily the second-longest in team history, he's closing in on Gonzo's mark of 30 consecutive, set in 1999. He's getting up there in pretty rarefied company more generally. Since the Diamondbacks came into existence, there have only been 13 longer streaks in the NL. There were two last year: the Rockies' Michael Cuddyer went 27 games, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>' Denard Span reached 29. Thirty is the big hurdle, with only one longer in the NL since 2006 (Dan Uggla's 35 games in 2011).</p>
<p id="SnmgVF">But it's sad that, we're barely into the first weekend of the regular season and we're probably more interested in this individual mark than the team's fortunes. Those have had a pretty wretched 24 hours, first blowing a late lead against San Francisco, and now this comprehensive defeat. If things don't turn around fast, sustaining interest for many casual fans is going to become a real problem.</p>
<p align="center" id="b0QwMF"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2014-04-04&team=Rockies&dh=0&season=2014"><img alt="Cowpat_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2136847/Cowpat_medium.jpg"></a><br>via <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cowpat.jpg">upload.wikimedia.org</a><br>[<em>Click to enlarge, at fangraphs.com</em>]<br><strong>J. J. Putz +2.4%</strong><br><em><strong>Randall Delgado, -26.6%</strong></em></p>
<p align="left" id="KGZJpG">An appropriately doom-laden GDT, led by Clefo, with benhat and kishi as backup. Also to be found: 4 Corners Fan, AzDbackfanInDc, AzRattler, BulldogsNotZags, Comeback, Diamondhacks, Dirtdawg90, GODSCHMIDT, GuruB, Jim McLennan, JoeCB1991, LiamNeeson, Moranall, SenSurround, Stumpy657, Turambar, VouxCroux, asteroid, azcougs, blank_38, cole8865, fsudude, hotclaws, mmiller54, onedotfive, piratedan7, preston.salisbury, rd33, shoewizard, soco and xmet. Most rec'd comment was this:</p>
<p align="left" id="b0vYL7"><span class="user_actions"><span class="cactions mod "><span class="mod_actions"> </span> </span> </span></p>
<div class="citem cdepth-1 active" id="225118423"><div class="comment"> <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/users/onedotfive" target="_blank" class="avatar"> <img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/profile_images/998419/Free_Sports_Clipart_Baseball_Funny_Photographs-1_jpg_1__small.jpg" alt="onedotfive"></a><h2 class="title collapse_toggle ">The Dbacks will never ever ever win another game ever</h2> <div class="cbody"> <p><span class="image_toggle"><img src="http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af183/shawbutte/hopedemotivator_zps17de149b.jpg"></span></p> <p>Laugh a little. We’ll pull through this just like we survived the ’04 season. :-)</p> </div> <div class="sig"><p>Without pizza, there would be no happiness.</p></div> <div class="meta">by <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/users/onedotfive" class="poster" target="_blank">onedotfive</a> on <a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/2014/4/4/5582682/gameday-thread-7-4-4-rockies#225118423" class="date">Apr 4, 2014 | 2:21 PM</a> <span class="user_actions"> <a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/2014/4/4/5582682/gameday-thread-7-4-4-rockies#" class="reply_link" title="reply to this comment">reply</a> <span class="cactions mod "> <a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/2014/4/4/5582682/gameday-thread-7-4-4-rockies#" class="rec_link "> rec <span class="rec_count"> (3) </span> </a> <a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/2014/4/4/5582682/gameday-thread-7-4-4-rockies#" class="flag_link "> flag </a> <span class="mod_actions"> <a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/2014/4/4/5582682/gameday-thread-7-4-4-rockies#" class="actions_toggle">actions</a> </span> </span> </span> </div> </div></div>
<div class="citem cdepth-1" id="225118643"></div>
<div class="comment" id="A1DnFk"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/users/hotclaws" target="_blank" class="avatar"> </a></div>
<p align="left" id="Pfkebh">I don't <u>think</u> it will come true. But you never know.... Back at it tomorrow, with <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> hoping for better luck against Jorge de la Rosa</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2014/4/4/5583312/diamondbacks-rockies-randall-delgado-paul-goldschmidt-hitting-streakJim McLennan2014-04-04T19:34:09-04:002014-04-04T19:34:09-04:00Diamondbacks 2, Rockies 12
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/l38HT5kLN_NXD43v-DgELurGIN4=/11x0:3988x2651/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31163741/482774309.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Doug Pensinger</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>If a game really sucks, but no-one in Arizona gets to see it, does it count in the standings?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>' pitching, which had struggled during the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> series, melted down entirely this afternoon at Coors Field, allowing the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> 17 hits in the eight innings it took them to complete a thorough demolition job in their home opener. <span>Randall Delgado</span> lasted only four innings for his 2014 debut: he had some bad luck and not much help from the defense, but ten hits, two walks and six earned runs is bad by any standard. The bullpen was little better, J.J. Putz's scoreless fifth was the sole highlight, as <span>Joe Thatcher</span>, <span>Brad Ziegler</span> and <span>Oliver Perez</span> each allowed two runs in their frames.</p>
<p>On offense, things were little better. <span>Aaron Hill</span> had a pair of hits, and <span>Mark Trumbo</span> two as well, including the third Trubomb of the young season. <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> also extended his hitting streak to 26 games, though left it late, with an RBI infield single in the eighth inning. But this one was all about the pitching - or lack thereof - as we failed to solve <span>Juan Nicasio</span>, but Colorado had no such issue with Delgado or our relievers. We'll hope for much better tomorrow night, when <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> takes on Jorge de la Rosa.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2014/4/4/5583212/diamondbacks-rockies-scoreJim McLennan2014-04-04T15:30:02-04:002014-04-04T15:30:02-04:00Preview: Radio-only road opener
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gS_Sc-xJlSNFYJzyEwhmUynzP8M=/5x0:3995x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31153357/482719815.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Doug Pensinger</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Our first "road" game of the season - not counting the "home" games which took place seven thousand miles from Arizona, anyway. You'll have to listen to this one, because it's not on TV. </p> <p>
<style type="text/css">
table.oldschool {
border-width: 1px;
border-spacing: 2px;
border-style: outset;
border-color: gray;
border-collapse: separate;
background-color: white;
}
table.oldschool th {
border-width: 1px;
padding: 3px;
border-style: inset;
border-color: gray;
background-color: white;
-moz-border-radius: ;
}
table.oldschool td {
border-width: 1px;
padding: 3px;
border-style: inset;
border-color: gray;
background-color: white;
-moz-border-radius: ;
}
table.newschool {
border-width: 0px;
border-spacing: 2px;
border-style: outset;
border-color: gray;
border-collapse: separate;
background-color: white;
}
table.newschool th {
border-width: 0px;
padding: 3px;
border-style: inset;
border-color: gray;
background-color: white;
-moz-border-radius: ;
}
table.newschool td {
border-width: 0px;
padding: 3px;
border-style: inset;
border-color: gray;
background-color: white;
-moz-border-radius: ;
}
</style></p>
<table class="oldschool"><tbody><tr>
<td>
<table class="newschool"><tbody><tr>
<td valign="middle"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2572695/ari.png" alt="ari_medium"></td>
<td valign="middle">
<h5>
<br><span>Randall Delgado</span><br>RHP, 0-0, N/A<br>
</h5>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
</td>
<td>
<table class="newschool"><tbody><tr>
<td valign="middle"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/2652413/col.png" alt="sfg_medium"></td>
<td valign="middle">
<h5>
<br><span>Juan Nicasio</span><br>RHP, 0-0, N/A<br>
</h5>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<h4>
<span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a></span> line-up</h4>
<ol>
<li> <span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span><span>Gerardo Parra</span>, RF</span></span> </li>
<li> <span>Aaron Hill</span>, 2B</li>
<li> <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span>, 1B</li>
<li> <span>Martin Prado</span>, 3B</li>
<li> <span>Miguel Montero</span>, C</li>
<li> <span>Mark Trumbo</span>, LF</li>
<li> <span>Chris Owings</span>, <span>SS</span> </li>
<li> <span>A.J. Pollock</span>, CF</li>
<li><span>Randall Delgado, P</span></li>
</ol>
<p>Definitely weird to have our seventh game be an afternoon contest on a Friday, but such are the delights of Opening Day for Coors Field - even if it's an Opening Day that's not going to be televised in Arizona. After all the traumas of yesterday, as we restaged <i>Attack of the Killer B's</i> at Chase Field - B standing both for "bees" and "bad bullpen", perhaps not getting to see this might be a good thing. Maybe our pitchers will perform better when there's no-one watching them. Counterpoint: Coors Field. Humidor or not, it still seems to have an effect. Last year, our ERA there was half a run higher than the overall one (4.42 vs. 3.92).</p>
<p>And, of course, we have Mr. Delgado on the mound, which seems like wobbly scheduling to me considering his home-run prone nature in the past. However, his one start in Denver last year, didn't go too badly. Randall allowed two runs over five innings, on three hits and two walks. Both runs came courtesy of the long-ball - embarrassingly, off the bat of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>' starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin. He got a no-decision, leaving with the score tied at two. <span>Tony Sipp</span> then came in, faced three batters, allowed three hits, two home-runs and three runs. At least we won't have that to worry about this afternoon.</p>
<p>I'll be recapping this one, but like most of you, won't be able to watch. So I'm not guaranteeing enormous accuracy. In other words, I may just make stuff up.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2014/4/4/5582514/game-7-diamondbacks-rockiesJim McLennan