Season thread-the road to the playoffs

[Lefty]

Papa Grande gets another save! win 2-0!

 

[Evil Ash]

Papa Grande gets another save! win 2-0!

Woo hoo!! Lets go for the sweep tomorrow.

Congrats to Daigle for his first big league win (and did it in impressive fashion).

 

[Ryanwb]

Man the fortunes have changed since Brenly told Mantei to sit his fat ass down!

 

[Ryanwb]

So are the D'backs just playing better or does the Cubs offense just suck right now? Two impressive outings by Sparks and Daigle the bagel. I thought this was going to be a blood bath

 

[BC867]

Why not. Oscar throws four straight balls to Sosa.

Is there any doubt that Villareal was told to give the intentional-unintentional walk to Sammy before being replaced? And it worked.

'Might not have been able to say that two days ago.

Valverde struck out the side yesterday in the 9th. Came in and left the bases loaded in the 8th today. Then retired the side in the 9th for the save.

Mantei probably considers Papa Grande an interim closer. I hope Brenly doesn't.

 

[schillingfan]

D-Backs bullpen seems to have straightened itself out. Everyone was pitching badly early in the season. Koplove seems back to his 2002 form (knock on wood) and Valverde is firing the ball with authority. Randy Choate I'm not going to mention.

 

[BC867]

So are the D'backs just playing better or does the Cubs offense just suck right now? Two impressive outings by Sparks and Daigle the bagel. I thought this was going to be a blood bath

Even though Alex Cintron had dropped to .240 instead of rising to .340 (he did get two hits today) . . . Kata and he hitting 1 and 2 was the start.

Fins coming alive in the 5 spot has brought it up another level, with Sexson out. And Hillenbrand is doing OK -- a starter ready to step back into the lineup.

A balanced lineup goes a long way to give peace of mind to medium-level pitchers like Sparks and Daigle.

The switch from Mantei to Valverde is night and day. Koplove's magic is happening again. I just hope that Brenly doesn't burn him out.

Dropping Elmer from the rotation will be the next step.

I guess Hairston will be given an opportunity to play some 2B while he's up. With Cintron not doing as well as expected so far, that means Kata will probably be juggled between 2B and SS. I hope that doesn't detract from his solid performance so far.

 

[Lefty]

The Diamondbacks are a better hitting team at home and after tomorrow their next 10 games at BOB. I would like to see Hairston get some playing time. Cintron just needs a rest. Remember, he was very sick last weekend so he might still be a little weak. Let's hope Sexson is back by the end of next week. As for Elmer going to the pen, yes. Give Fossum a chance. I like seeing another lefty in the rotation.

 

[AZZenny]

btw, Trace made some very pretty defensive plays from third last night, too. He seems to have little streaks of klutziness - I know in Tucson last year he got many of his 20 errors in one 2 week stretch, and otherwise was pretty solid, but when he was 'off' he was really off.

 

[DbaxJ]

BTW since no one has brought this up yet, I feel it only responsible for me to do so. WE HAVE OFFICIALLY MOVED UP INTO A TIE FOR THIRD PLACE WITH COL. THE GNATS ARE NOW IN LAST PLACE IN THE DIVISION. WE ARE ONLY 4 GAMES BACK. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BOYS.

On paper we were not supposed to win any of these games, so the fact that we are going for the sweep AGAIN today, its all gravy. I would prefer we win this one, but even if we dont, its another series win!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lefty]

I won't be able to post much b/c of work so if anyone is watching today's game could you post an update so I can peep in time from time? Thanks.

 

[Dback Jon]

Top 2nd - 0-0:

Finley singles, Bautista doubles, Finley scores. Tracy singles, Bautista scores.

Dbacks up 2-0.

 

[Dback Jon]

Bottom 2nd:

A Ramirez walked. T Hollandsworth singled to right, A Ramirez to third. D Lee
singled to center, A Ramirez scored.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Steve Finley intentionally walked...now that is respect for what he's done to them.

Bases loaded, 2 outs, Tracy is up to bat.

GO DBACKS!!!

Mike

 

[AZZenny]

Elmer is such a putz! We get a run, he walks the leadoff guy....he has managed to extricate himself a couple times, but you can see from BB's face he has about had it.

I heard reporter Bob Mcmanaman on Bickley's radio show yesterday - he said the clubhouse was OK with BB sticking with Mantei as long as he did, as with Fins and by giving Daigle time to work it out - the guys feel that is respectful - but that Dessens is clearly next on Brenly's list, that he's had enough, and is 'positioning' himself to make a move as soon as an option presents itself.

By 'positioning' I would guess he means setting things up so it doesn't come across like he's openly cleaning up JoeBlow's mess.

 

[Dback Jon]

All good until the 5th - then neither Elmer or Oscar were effective. Cubs put 5-spot on the Dbacks. 6-3 Cubs.

 

[Lefty]

Glad I did not get to see the game. Looks like Mantei had a another bad inning, along with Oscar and Elmer. At least they took the series.

 

[Ryanwb]

Mantei has zero confidence right now

 

[AZZenny]

Another outing like that and they can put him on the DL for Depression. Phew. Ooo-gly.

I still wonder if Oscar is 100% - he missed most of ST with a nebulously 'sore' elbow, and just hasn't resembled Oscar 2003 at all so far.

 

[Lefty]

Good start for Randy. He sets the Phillies down in order in the first.

 

[Ryanwb]

WTH happened to Jimmy Rollins? He used to be considered such a phenom, now he is just a guaranteed out

 

[Lefty]

Shea has come up twice with a runner on third and no runs.

 

[Ryanwb]

Shea has come up twice with a runner on third and no runs.

Yep and since Sexson has been injured Gonzo has 0 RBI

 

[Lefty]

Randy looks tough tonight. Let's get some runs.

 

[Lefty]

Finley hits another home run, 1-0 D-Backs!!! How many solo home runs does that make?