azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 10, 2005 12:00 AM
Apparently, it wasn't dramatic enough for the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers the first time around.
After Friday's game was decided in the ninth inning, they decided they might as well play a little longer on Saturday and the result was still the same.
Another demoralizing experience for the Diamondbacks' young bullpen. Another comeback victory by the Dodgers, who needed 11 innings this time to score a 12-10 victory in front of 30,753 at Bank One Ballpark and continue to absolutely own Arizona.
With the score tied 8-8, the bases loaded and no outs against reliever Michael Gosling, Jeff Kent ripped a three-run double to the gap in right-center field. Milton Bradley, who made two defensive gems in center in the eighth inning, followed with a single to score Kent.
The Diamondbacks, who hit four homers in the game and got a career-best four hits from catcher Chris Snyder, scored twice in the 11th and had the winning run at the plate in Jose Cruz Jr.
Cruz, however, hit into a game-ending double play with runners at first and third. The Dodgers, who took 16 of 19 games from the Diamondbacks last season, are 2-0 against them in 2005 and own a commanding 66-30 lead in the all-time series.
"You never feel good about the way these games have gone," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "We've struggled some pitching. But I don't know if a team can play any harder than we did tonight."
Well, except for maybe the team in the other dugout.
"They played extremely hard, too," Melvin said. "They've been very competitive ballgames, great ballgames."
The Diamondbacks had their best chance in the 10th, and as tough as it was on their relievers, they shouldn't shoulder all the blame, especially because Mike Koplove and Brandon Lyon were overtaxed and unavailable for duty late in the game.
The hitters blew it, too. Arizona had the bases loaded with one out in the 10th after singles by Craig Counsell and Cruz, and an intentional walk drawn by Luis Gonzalez. But Yhency Brazoban, subbing as the Dodgers' closer until Eric Gagne returns from the disabled list, struck out Troy Glaus and Shawn Green to end the suspense.
Forget about the 7-3 lead the Diamondbacks had in the fifth or the four home runs they hit off Dodgers starter Scott Erickson, which they got from four hitters - Tony Clark, Snyder, Green and Glaus.
The Dodgers did what they had to do, and got what they could against the relievers Oscar Villarreal, just summoned from the minors, along with Randy Choate, Brian Bruney and Gosling. Los Angeles scored twice in the eighth and took an 8-7 lead on Hee-Seop Choi's first hit of the season, a run-scoring single after an 0-for-11 start.
Arizona forced extra innings with an RBI groundout in the ninth by pinch-hitter Chad Tracy after a triple by Clark, who hit a two-run homer and added a single earlier in the game.
But the Diamondbacks wasted opportunities the next two innings and it was over.
"Anytime you lose, you're not happy," Tracy said. "But it's too early to get frustrated. We never gave up and we kept getting good at-bats and made them run in their bullpen and that adds up in the long run."
View from Press Box
It's obvious the Diamondbacks aren't going to endure another embarrassing 111-loss season. And, yes, it's early. But unless they get better production, or somehow shore up the bullpen, they might lead the National League in frustration.
- Tim Tyers
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0410dbackschase0410.html
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 10, 2005 12:00 AM
Apparently, it wasn't dramatic enough for the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers the first time around.
After Friday's game was decided in the ninth inning, they decided they might as well play a little longer on Saturday and the result was still the same.
Another demoralizing experience for the Diamondbacks' young bullpen. Another comeback victory by the Dodgers, who needed 11 innings this time to score a 12-10 victory in front of 30,753 at Bank One Ballpark and continue to absolutely own Arizona.
With the score tied 8-8, the bases loaded and no outs against reliever Michael Gosling, Jeff Kent ripped a three-run double to the gap in right-center field. Milton Bradley, who made two defensive gems in center in the eighth inning, followed with a single to score Kent.
The Diamondbacks, who hit four homers in the game and got a career-best four hits from catcher Chris Snyder, scored twice in the 11th and had the winning run at the plate in Jose Cruz Jr.
Cruz, however, hit into a game-ending double play with runners at first and third. The Dodgers, who took 16 of 19 games from the Diamondbacks last season, are 2-0 against them in 2005 and own a commanding 66-30 lead in the all-time series.
"You never feel good about the way these games have gone," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "We've struggled some pitching. But I don't know if a team can play any harder than we did tonight."
Well, except for maybe the team in the other dugout.
"They played extremely hard, too," Melvin said. "They've been very competitive ballgames, great ballgames."
The Diamondbacks had their best chance in the 10th, and as tough as it was on their relievers, they shouldn't shoulder all the blame, especially because Mike Koplove and Brandon Lyon were overtaxed and unavailable for duty late in the game.
The hitters blew it, too. Arizona had the bases loaded with one out in the 10th after singles by Craig Counsell and Cruz, and an intentional walk drawn by Luis Gonzalez. But Yhency Brazoban, subbing as the Dodgers' closer until Eric Gagne returns from the disabled list, struck out Troy Glaus and Shawn Green to end the suspense.
Forget about the 7-3 lead the Diamondbacks had in the fifth or the four home runs they hit off Dodgers starter Scott Erickson, which they got from four hitters - Tony Clark, Snyder, Green and Glaus.
The Dodgers did what they had to do, and got what they could against the relievers Oscar Villarreal, just summoned from the minors, along with Randy Choate, Brian Bruney and Gosling. Los Angeles scored twice in the eighth and took an 8-7 lead on Hee-Seop Choi's first hit of the season, a run-scoring single after an 0-for-11 start.
Arizona forced extra innings with an RBI groundout in the ninth by pinch-hitter Chad Tracy after a triple by Clark, who hit a two-run homer and added a single earlier in the game.
But the Diamondbacks wasted opportunities the next two innings and it was over.
"Anytime you lose, you're not happy," Tracy said. "But it's too early to get frustrated. We never gave up and we kept getting good at-bats and made them run in their bullpen and that adds up in the long run."
View from Press Box
It's obvious the Diamondbacks aren't going to endure another embarrassing 111-loss season. And, yes, it's early. But unless they get better production, or somehow shore up the bullpen, they might lead the National League in frustration.
- Tim Tyers
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0410dbackschase0410.html
