Padres vs. D-backs series thread

[Desert Rat]

It's 4th of July weekend, what's on the menu besides hamburgers, hot dogs and brats?

Friday, Baek vs. Haren
Baek's June, 0-3, 5.65 ERA in five starts, two of them weren't too bad, however. Haren's June, NL Pitcher of the Month, 3-0, 1.32 ERA in six starts. If the D-backs offense has a pulse and feeds off Thursday's miracle 9th inning, there'll be nothing to worry about.

Saturday, Peavy vs. Davis
Saturday black jerseys for this one. Peavy is still Peavy, but the last time he went 7 innings was in a loss to the D-backs in April. In his last start, he gave up ten hits to the lowly Mariners. DD has been very good lately, he's 6-2 lifetime against the Padres, 3-0 against them last season.

Sunday, Banks vs. Johnson
The Padres' hot-shot pitcher has lost his last three games and has never faced the D-backs. Johnson has lost his last six starts, looking awful in all but one of those. His ERA is almost double of his opponents'. Johnson is a lifetime 15-5 against the Padres, but he has not shown to be the same dominant pitcher he was. The quest for career win #289 and complete game #100 continues...

The D-backs need to kick these Friars while they're down, plain and simple.

 

[Skkorpion]

I'll be watching.

 

[FArting]

I'll be watching also. I'll be listening to the Padres broadcasts since I will be in San Diego.

 

[mjb21aztd]

well so far were sucking on offense no hits and were in the bottom of the 6th inning wow this team is so hard to watch come on guys lets get a few hits and bring some runs in we need this win

 

[Skkorpion]

Dumped the TV broadcast and switched to radio.

Another runner thrown out at home. Will this nightmare never end?

I'm a retired Marine but 6 straight innings of fawning on our Az troops stationed in Iraq was just too much.

 

[devilalum]

Dumped the TV broadcast and switched to radio.

Another runner thrown out at home. Will this nightmare never end?

I'm a retired Marine but 6 straight innings of fawning on our Az troops stationed in Iraq was just too much.

I agree. They're not even showing the game. Why didn't they do all this stuff before the game?

 

[Skkorpion]

Yes. One run in. Pitching change.

 

[HooverDam]

I'm a retired Marine but 6 straight innings of fawning on our Az troops stationed in Iraq was just too much.

Agreed. Plus all these people talking to their relatives in Iraq is extremely awkward, its like no one has anything to say. Its very uncomfortable.

Furthermore, when did 4th of July and Veterans Day melt into one Holiday? The 4th is about celebrating the Spirit of 76, Independence, and Freedom. I don't see what any of that has to do with the current war in Iraq. If we want to honor those folks, thats fine, but it seems like that ought to be on Memorial day.

I guess its probably because they can't get Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin on satellite, so that makes sense.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Apparently yesterday's game wasn't the "turnaround of the season". I don't expect a turnaround to this season at all. How could I at this point?

And talk about beating a dead horse - once again the DBack's offense makes a very ordinary (if not a poor) pitcher a Cy Young candidate....

 

[AZZenny]

Which always makes me wonder about our advance scouting. Get a guy we haven't seen much, and we are just clueless.

You hear some groans and booing when Qualls came in? That was my section.

 

[Dback Jon]

Which always makes me wonder about our advance scouting. Get a guy we haven't seen much, and we are just clueless.

You hear some groans and booing when Qualls came in? That was my section.

My section (307) booed as well.

Is it time to start a "Fire Chip Hale" thread?? Three runners out at the plate this week. WTH was he thinking sending a gimpy Drew???



And Upton cost us a run with his ill-advised throw to 3rd, allowing the runner at 1st to advance. FUNDAMENTALS

 

[BC867]

Is it time to start a "Fire Chip Hale" thread?? Three runners out at the plate this week. WTH was he thinking sending a gimpy Drew???

Probably that he wants to put some life into the team in the only way that he can. Make things happen.

Is there any question that the roster, from one end to the other, is in a funk?

I don't condone bad decisions. But something needs to be done to get the players to treat each game as something other than being victims.

Of course, I support Chip Hale as a Managerial change that needs to happen.

 

[Desert Rat]

Melvin never learns sometimes. When Qualls inherits baserunners, he as a tendency of getting them to eventually cross the plate . Pinch-running Bonafacio for Tracy (unless Chad was injured, which he didn't appear to be) was plain stupid, even if it would have worked. Subsequently, moving Jackson back to first base was another poor move as demonstrated with his throw to second base. CoJack is playing left field better, maybe that's where he should remain. Melvin likes moving players all over like chess pieces. Just leave Jackson in left, Reynolds at third and Tracy at first, the big bats stay in the lineup that way. Forget the righty/lefty matchups. I should rip Hale for giving Drew the green light in the 6th, but that throw that nailed him was as perfect of a play as can be made. You get away with it this time, Chip; I probably would have sent him, too. Again, the D-backs offense stunk it up and an excellent start by Haren was wasted. He was rightfully frustrated with the offense after the game. And why can't this team win in front of their biggest crowds??? It's not like the Red Sox game when half the place was pulling for the opponent.

It was very bizarre seeing an Edgar Gonzalez on the Padres. Too bad the D-backs pitcher is on the DL. It could be another Chris Young pitching to Chris Young situation (same team, ironically).

The game was pretty unwatchable all-around. Not to knock FSA for giving attention to our fine soldiers and their families, but the telecast of the GAME was shredded for a few innings. Sutton and Grace almost forgot there was a game being played and Padre runs were being scored until they acknowledged it an inning later. I almost turned the game off, but I wanted to see if they had any more miracles to pull out later on. So much for that.

Salazar was DFA'd. Burke should be, too, IMO, but they want to save face for the Valverde deal, I guess. Freakin' LA won again. It's only a half game lead now. I have a bad feeling that when LA takes over first, they won't be letting go of it.

 

[Lefty]

My section (307) booed as well.

Is it time to start a "Fire Chip Hale" thread?? Three runners out at the plate this week. WTH was he thinking sending a gimpy Drew???



And Upton cost us a run with his ill-advised throw to 3rd, allowing the runner at 1st to advance. FUNDAMENTALS

How is Drew being thrown out at home Hale's fault? There were two outs so you have to send him, especially the way this offense has been hitting. A great thow was the only way he was going to get him.

Chip Hale is going to be a very good manager. He is a guy who expects the most out of his players and is a motivator. He also gets the respect from his players, not like Melvin.

All the young guys who played under Chip when he was Minor League Manager of the Year a few years ago have said he was a great manager and will make one in the majors. Chip wll soon get tha opportunity and I hope it's here in Arizona.

As for the team, something needs to be done. They have to look at making a change. I would not be surprised if they went after a first baseman. This is one position where they do not have a true first baseman. Tracy is the one guy I could see them moving to get one.

 

[Dback Jon]

Did you watch the game? If so, you would have seen that Drew hurt his leg rounding second. He was NOT at full speed.

When you are losing EVERY play at the plate, it is apparent Hale can not judge the runners' speed. THREE outs at the plate in one week is unexceptable. Chip Hale is not the panacea to the Dbacks' woes. He needs to take blame for poor decisions. He took us out of what could have been a big inning. The Dbacks were FINALLY making contact that inning, the pitcher was getting tired.

 

[Dback Jon]

And Desert Rat - putting Bonifacio in as a pinch runner is a move 90% of all managers would have made. He is very fast, as evidenced by his steal of third. Had the hitters done their job, he would have scored.

Jackson is a good first baseman. Yes, he made a great catch, followed by a poor throw, but the fact is that putting Bonifacio in was the right move.

 

[devilalum]

The headline on the Dbacks site says, "Haren Outdueled"
What a load of crap. It should say, "Dbacks Hitters Suck Again!"

 

[Skkorpion]

Well, today is another chance at redemption. I'm ready. Oh, wait. Peavy is pitching today for the Padres and he's healthy again.

I'll enjoy the game anyway.

 

[Lefty]

Did you watch the game? If so, you would have seen that Drew hurt his leg rounding second. He was NOT at full speed.

When you are losing EVERY play at the plate, it is apparent Hale can not judge the runners' speed. THREE outs at the plate in one week is unexceptable. Chip Hale is not the panacea to the Dbacks' woes. He needs to take blame for poor decisions. He took us out of what could have been a big inning. The Dbacks were FINALLY making contact that inning, the pitcher was getting tired.

Yes I watched the game. Drew was fine. He showed no signs of being hurt. Anyone who knows anything about baseball knows you send the runner with two outs, especially when you are losing and have been struggling all game offensively. The hit was not right at the left fielder and only a great throw gets him. Hale has no reason to take blame for that call. Yes, he should take blame for sending the runner in the win over the Brewers, but not last night.

By the way, the Diamondbacks had two hits that inning, so please spare me that they were hitting the ball and it was going to be a big inning. There were two outs, both by stikeouts before Drew got his double. Upton's single was only the second hit of the inning.

 

[Dback Jon]

Yes I watched the game. Drew was fine. He showed no signs of being hurt. Anyone who knows anything about baseball knows you send the runner with two outs. The hit was not right at the left fielder and only a great throw gets him.

By the way, the Diamondbacks had two hits that inning, so please spare me that they were hitting the ball and it was going to be a big inning. There were two outs and the offense was struggling all game.

No, Drew was NOT fine - he wasn't hurt, but still tender, and not at full strength. If you played sports, you would know that even a slight tweak affects your running. And FINALLY, that inning, the Dbacks were getting to Paik - he was starting to struggle, with the heart of the order up.

And no, you do not always send the runner with two outs - that is an assinine blanket statement.

 

[Lefty]

No, Drew was NOT fine - he wasn't hurt, but still tender, and not at full strength. If you played sports, you would know that even a slight tweak affects your running. And FINALLY, that inning, the Dbacks were getting to Paik - he was starting to struggle, with the heart of the order up.

And no, you do not always send the runner with two outs - that is an assinine blanket statement.

Yes, I lettered in baseball and basketball so yes to your question. If you read what I said, the hit was not directly to the right fielder. If it was, then of course you don't.

 

[AZCB34]

Is there any question that the roster, from one end to the other, is in a funk?

To me, a funk is something that lasts 12 games...or 15 games. This "funk" has lasted, what, about 60 (SIXTY) games? That is not a funk anymore, there is something seriously wrong here. Up until now, I wasn't so sure about your rants about melvin but more and more, his decision-making is really making me wonder what he is thinking.

I have said it before...will say it again now. The 20-8 start appears to be an aberration and what we are witnessing right now seems to be closer to the real Dbacks...and I don't think the team is this bad but not nearly as good as their start made everyone think they were.

 

[BC867]

To me, a funk is something that lasts 12 games...or 15 games. This "funk" has lasted, what, about 60 (SIXTY) games?That is not a funk anymore, there is something seriously wrong here.

I was trying to go easy on Melvin. See below.

Up until now, I wasn't so sure about your rants about Melvin but more and more, his decision-making is really making me wonder what he is thinking.

I almost can't hold Melvin responsible for the D'backs mis-management anymore. The whole world knows that he is in over his head.

It's up to the brass to put him out of his misery, especially before he further ruins our young players.

STEP 1: Move the young players all around the batting order without rhyme or reason. Check.

STEP 2: Have them all swinging for the seats. Check.

STEP 3: Trade them and watch them flourish. Not yet, but time is of the essence.

 

[mjb21aztd]

what do you know dbacks down again early 2-0 in the bottom of the third what a surprise... Ugh when will this team wake up and actually try swinging for base hits and not just hrs everytime the only two actually trying on offense for this team is hudson and jackson that is not enough. We had a chance to take this divison and we just blew it we are a better team then the way are we playing right now lets get out of this funk....

 

[mjb21aztd]

God this team sucks now Tracy gets a double yet no one can bring him in, and we don't even try to get him to third with a bunt. If we get swept by padres this series which we probally will Melvin should defintally be fired asap he has a lot to do with the way we are playing now.