Diamondbacks at Atlanta - 8/12-13-14/05

[AZZenny]

OK, I actually believe we CAN do this. I'll let KLL or someone lay out the pitching match-ups, but just say that if we do play to the level of our competition, and with generally decent historical experiences in Atlanta, and other than the Ortiz start, we have a shot at taking one or two games.

Sorry, that's as much optimism as I can muster, and I think for a half-empty-glass person (blame the Red Sox and my childhood) that's not too bad.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Friday, August 12 Turner Field | 4:35 PM MST


Claudio Vargas, RHP (5-6, 4.98 )
Diamondbacks (55-61) @ Jorge Sosa, RHP (7-1, 2.36)
Braves (66-49)



Scouting Report:
Vargas was masterful against the Rockies last Sunday. He held Colorado to just one hit through six innings before allowing a three-run homer in the seventh. A model of consistency since joining the D-Backs, Vargas has not allowed more than three earned runs in his last eight starts.
Sosa will try to pick up his fifth win of his last nine starts. The right-hander had a strong performance in his last outing, going seven innings without allowing a run to an explosive St. Louis offense. He drew a no-decision in that start, however, as the Cardinals' bats came alive in the ninth to propel them to a win. The young starter is 6-1 with a 2.63 ERA in night games this season. In a five-inning start against Arizona earlier this season, Sosa struck out five and allowed no runs.





Saturday, August 13 Turner Field | 10:20 AM MST


Russ Ortiz, RHP (4-6, 5.88 )
Diamondbacks (55-61) @ John Thomson, RHP (3-2, 3.42)
Braves (66-49)



Scouting Report:
Ortiz is scheduled to be activated from the disabled list on Saturday. The right-hander suffered a stress fracture of a rib on his right side and has been on the DL since June 16. After three Minor League rehab starts, the club decided he was ready to be activated. Ortiz struggled in his last two rehab outings, but he did get his pitch count up to 92.
Thomson's start Saturday will be his first since he went on the disabled list May 17 for a strained tendon in his right middle finger. The right-hander went 3-1 in his five home starts before the injury, and he had a 2.31 ERA at Turner Field. Thomson has a 16-12 career record in August, the month that has proven to be his best.





Sunday, August 14 Turner Field | 10:05 AM MST


Javier Vazquez, RHP (9-11, 4.40)
Diamondbacks (55-61) @ Mike Hampton, LHP (4-2, 2.51)
Braves (66-49)



Scouting Report:
Vazquez will try to put his last start behind him. The right-hander struggled mightily against the Marlins, allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings. Vazquez had trouble hitting his spots and called it one of the worst outings of his career.
Hampton feels he has overcome his back and problems. His injuries have limited him to six innings since May 14. He was ineffective in a July 17 start at Shea Stadium and injured his back two days later. In his only start against the Diamondbacks last year, he tossed a complete game opposite the perfect one his counterpart Randy Johnson was twirling.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/probable_pitchers.jsp?c_id=ari

 

[Lefty]

Tony Clark goes deep!!! 2-0 Diamondbacks!!!

 

[Ricochet]

Tiny Clark! Man that was a huge home run. This guy is a helluva player! I wonder what his role will be next year

 

[Evil Ash]

Tony Clark goes deep AGAIN. This guy is just having an unreal year. I keep waiting for him to slow down but he just keeps going. Its just UNREAL

5-0 Dbacks

 

[Lefty]

And to think there are some who think signing Clark was a mistake.

Also, Tony should be starting the majority of the remaining games this year. Next year is another story.

Way to go Tony! Bear Down!

 

[Lefty]

Vargas is pitching another good game. What a nice pickup he was.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Its now an official game, I hope it starts pouring so we dont have to see the pen.

 

[Lefty]

The offense is alive! How about Vargas getting a hit with the bases loaded?

 

[Lefty]

Aquino hit by a line drive and taken out of the game for precautionary reasons. Hopefully he will be okay. I don't think this bullpen can blow a 8-0 lead with only four outs to go.

 

[Lefty]

8-0 is the final!!! Offense and pitching show up in the same game.

 

[AZZenny]

Love Turner Field! Site of some of our best moments. LOL.

Vargas is a stud - and I withdraw my Mark-Davis-doubting musings - I suspect he must have had a role in turning this kid around.

"They seem to trust me here." - Vargas

 

[dogpoo32]

Dang... Just when I had given up all hope for the season the team wins 2 straight. Maybe i should lose hope more often. ;-)

 

[AZZenny]

And to think there are some who think signing Clark was a mistake.

Also, Tony should be starting the majority of the remaining games this year. Next year is another story.

Oh, I bet Tony will start out next year, too. After all - not like CJ will have a chance to get in a groove and work out the bugs anytime between now and then.

 

[green machine]

Oh, I bet Tony will start out next year, too. After all - not like CJ will have a chance to get in a groove and work out the bugs anytime between now and then.

Even though this team has no chance of winning the WS, it makes sense to play Clark right now. He's got the hot bat. No reason to try to have youngsters work out the kinks when you're still in it.

 

[Lefty]

Even though this team has no chance of winning the WS, it makes sense to play Clark right now. He's got the hot bat. No reason to try to have youngsters work out the kinks when you're still in it.

Exactly. They're only 3 games out after the Padres lost last night.

 

[AZZenny]

Fine - but then send CJ down to finish the last 3 weeks of the season in Tucson, put him in AZFL to play 1st base (THAT is as much for me as him ) and let Tony play every day. A kid at Conor's level of development needs to play as much as possible. Hardened veterans say how tough it is to hit off the bench - why do we persist in doing that to our young players? You can see he's been taken out of his usual disciplined approach at the plate.

I think of how bitter Overbay was about the unrealistic pressure and inconsistent play and mixed messages he got when he was brought up - I think CJ is probably a bit tougher, but why mess with a top prospect this way? If he's not trusted to play regularly, he shouldn't be up here yet - for everyone's sake.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Conor should play LF in the AZFL to take over for overrated Gonzo in 2006.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Conor should play LF in the AZFL to take over for overrated Gonzo in 2006.

Not overatted, just getting older......pretty disrespectful if you consider your self a true dback fan considering all he has done

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Not overatted, just getting older......pretty disrespectful if you consider your self a true dback fan considering all he has done

To not acknowledge the guy's lack of ability in 2005 is pretty weak, no matter what he did in 2001's steroid-assisted season. Am I also supposed to use kid gloves with Jay Bell because he scored the winning run?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

To not acknowledge the guy's lack of ability in 2005 is pretty weak, no matter what he did in 2001's steroid-assisted season. Am I also supposed to use kid gloves with Jay Bell because he scored the winning run?

He is still a solid hitter (he is on pace for 100 RBIs) and he should be allowed to be phased out on his timetable.....and the Dbacks give him this responsibility because he is a classy, team-first guy and he will step aside for the betterment of the team...When Quentin and Jackson are playing every day and producing, I have faith that Gonzo will see the writing on the wall if hes hitting something like 260....

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

He is still a solid hitter (he is on pace for 100 RBIs) and he should be allowed to be phased out on his timetable.....and the Dbacks give him this responsibility because he is a classy, team-first guy and he will step aside for the betterment of the team...When Quentin and Jackson are playing every day and producing, I have faith that Gonzo will see the writing on the wall if hes hitting something like 260....

Actually he is on pace for 87 RBIs which ain't all that good considering where he plays his home games and how frequently Tracy and Counsell have gotten on base. And Quentin and Jackson are not going to be able to play evey day with Gonzo still hanging around unless someone like Tracy goes. Again, I really don't see why a guy's preformance four years ago should have any bearing on the present day D-Backs.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Hes the franchise bro plain and simple....he is the one player who has remained loyal this whole time and through everything (from titles to 115 losses) Im just stating a fact....and i think its the right thing to do. They just need to bat him further down the order next year (as 6 to 7 hitter he would be phenomenal) and we have to start to phase in Quentin and possibly Terrero b/c i dont see gonzo being an everyday player in 2007. But benchig him next year is just not going to happen unless he goes into some sort of epic talespin to end his career.

 

[Lefty]

Gonzo is not the franchise player on this team. Curt and RJ were franchise players, but no one on this current team is considered a franchise player.

I did not see today's game and my question is, why did Gonzo not start today? I wonder if Conor could of played left today instead of Q? I did see highlights of the game and saw Q's nice diving catch. Also saw the bullpen blew another game.

 

[AZZenny]

'remained loyal?'

1) what does that have to do with playing competent outfield? Or with being on the downside of his career? Or potentially blocking younger, rising players costing 5% of his salary?

2) He's paid exceptionally well - to be loyal. He said when the last contract was up that - although he'd love to finish his career here... he wouldn't rule out going elsewhere if contract talks didn't prove acceptable. He has said much the same again recently in terms of the 2007 option the club has, and how far off he imagines his retirement to be.

3) JC was the face of the franchise. RJ was the face of the franchise - times, and faces, change.

I don't know what this team will do with the various logjams - the multi-year veteran contracts are going to make the 40-man roster a very hard nut to swallow this year and next. We WILL trade or lose some very decent prospects.