Diamondbacks Notes: April 22, 2009
* GAME 2 GOES TO THE ROCKIES - The Diamondbacks (5-9) are almost ready to put together a total team effort. On Tuesday night, Arizona got another worthy performance from a starting pitcher: Yusmeiro Petit (5 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 K). The offensive surge continued, powered by Chris B. Young, Eric Byrnes and Mark Reynolds homers. Felipe Lopez had three of the Snakes eleven hits against the Rockies (5-8).
Now if only the bullpen can do its part, the Snakes will be in business. Asked to protect a three-run lead, the relief corps instead surrendered six runs in the last four frames. The final result was a 9-6 Colorado win. On account of the loss, Arizona remains without back-to-back and series wins on the year. The Diamondbacks will try to take the rubber match this afternoon at Chase Field.
* BULLPEN BLUES - Arizona relief pitchers have been spared some scrutiny for the team's woes. This owes in part to the slow start on offense. There have been few late leads to protect, so the pen has not borne primary responsibility for the Diamondbacks losing record. When the spotlight shone on them Monday night, the relievers suffered a meltdown. With another half-dozen runs surrendered to Colorado, the pen now owns a 6.80 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and .837 OPS-against on the year.
Closer Chad Qualls (5 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K, 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3 SV) has performed as well as anyone in the pen. The Diamondbacks have won each of the five games in which he has appeared. Although Tony Pena (2 W, 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) has good looking season stats, he surrendered a run in two-thirds of an inning in his only appearance in a save situation.
Getting the ball to the closer has been a big problem. Supposed set-up man Jon Rauch has allowed fourteen base-runners and eight earned runs in his six innings. Those are rates even worse than the 6.54 ERA and 1.54 WHIP he sported after his arrival in Arizona in 2008. Lefty-specialist Scott Schoeneweis has surrendered a pair of home runs late in one-run games, thereby evoking memories of Mike Myers' horrorshow turn in the same role. If the rest of the pen cannot keep runs off the board, Qualls will have too few chances to demonstrate his quality.
* DANNY HAREN DAY - Wednesday is Earth Day, Game 3 of the Diamondbacks-Rockies series, and the fourth start of the season for the best oh-and-three pitcher in baseball. To achieve harmony with the planet, the Snakes must support their starter and claim victory in a series for the first time this season.
We think Mother Earth will not mind to share top billing with Arizona’s outstanding righty, so we enthusiastically declare: Danny Haren, today is YOUR day! Diamondbacks Nation is rooting for you. The bats are ready to score you some runs. Go out there and get the win you richly deserve.
3 responses to this Post, with 3 unique participants
Chris Young?
How good is Chris Young? I've got him on my fantasy team but have no idea what kind of numbers to expect from him.
jayhawk17
It depends ... does your league give credit for defense? :P
Rauch Stinks
Rauch has had no success here in Arizona and should not be given the ball until he fixes his problems. Those who have been bad out of the pen have followed Rauch's awful lead.