Well, that was more than enough trust me.  The Arizona Diamondbacks once again failed to surprise us by wasting yet another great effort by starter Dan Haren. Today’s goats were Juan Gutierrez and Chad Qualls.  The two of them combined to allow the San Diego Padres to score five runs in the ninth to tie the game at 6-6.

After a disasterous ninth, the Dbacks bullpen pitched a no hitter.  Not a single hit given up in nine innings of extra inning relief.  Amazing.  I’m surprised that Dan Haren hasn’t asked for his release yet.  He’ll probably tell you that he shouldn’t have give up a solo home run or kept his pitch count down so he could have finished the game on his own.  That is who he is.  However, one must think it is just eating him inside to see several of his efforts wasted this season including today’s.  It bugs me, it has to be bugging him.

There were low lights other than Gutierrez and Qualls in this one though.

• Justin Upton hurt himself on a 10th inning swing, one that would never have had to be taken if not for the ninth inning blow up.
• The Dbacks defense was too slow to complete two possible plays to end the game in the ninth, keeping the game alive for David Eckstein’s 3-run home run.
• Base running.  Oh man, without poor base running, this game could have easily been out of reach early.  Two pick-offs and an overrun of second base by Miguel Montero cost them dearly in the first three innings.

There were highlights outside of Haren as well though:

• Stephen Drew went 4 for 8 to raise his batting average up to .248.  He has an 11 game hitting streak now.
• Montero did his best to atone for the baserunning blunder by going 4 for  7 at the plate.
• Josh Whitesell only went 1 for 6, but his one was a bases clearing 3-run  double
• Mark Reynolds went 1 for 7, but it was a big one.  The three run job that finished off the Padres in the 18th.

The Diamondbacks are now 8-0 all time in games that last 15 innings or longer.  Who knew?  I didn’t until it was pointed out to me in a Twitter from FOXSPORTSAZ

We probably should expect much more of the same drama tomorrow.  Then again, Jake Peavy is pitching.  It could be over before it starts.  Then again, it could be much more of the same that we’ve been watching this road trip.

Out are Conor Jackson (illness) and pitcher Bobby Korecky (sent down to Reno – and not a second too soon).  In are Stephen Drew, returning from the disabled list and Clay Zavada, pitcher called up from AA Mobile. Look for more moves tomorrow, including the addition of starting pitcher Bryan Augenstein.

I imagine that there will be more to come.  With as many different lineups as this team has sported lately and all the young AA and AAA players making their way to Phoenix early in the season, it is clear the Diamondbacks are trying to do two things at once, shaking up the lineup to try to spark some wins out of this team meanwhile getting a look see at the younger talent.  Trying to do both at the same time probably spells the end of any possible chances for this team in 2009, but could bode well for 2010.

Chad Tracy‘s days have got to be numbered.  After sitting for five consecutive games, Tracy was inserted into the lineup against the Cincinnati Reds, a game the Dbacks eventually lost 13-5.  However after just two at-bats, he was pulled in favor of Josh Whitesell.  That move spoke volumes.

As for the rest of the team, they can’t hit.  They can’t score runs when in scoring position.  By watching the game this evening against the Reds, they almost look like as they are resigned to giving up.  I’ve heard some of the same comments being made about last night’s game too.  I just watched Justin Upton, with runners on first and third, leave his bat on his shoulders for three consecutive strikes.  Unbelievable.  Or is it?

I wish I had the answers.  However it is clear the Diamondbacks front office wants to do the right thing to keep fans in the seats, but the players clearly are in some kind of funk and that appears to be both physical and mental.  The mental side of things is hurting the physical side of things.  They say this game is mostly mental.  Last night, the Dbacks bullpen was so spent, they used utility player Josh Wilson in the 9th inning as a pitcher.  Was it really that bad?  Then tonight Daron Sutton and Mark Grace said the Dbacks needed started Dan Haren to go the distance and complete the game.  So the bullpen is spent huh?  Well, I’m spent watching this team squander scoring opportunities, make mental mistake after mental mistake on the base paths, and striking out when the at-bat means the most.

It sure is difficult to be a fan right now.  I keep trying and trying to give this team chances.  How do you suppose I continue to do that as these paid professionals go out and act like they don’t care.  Most of them will tell you they do care and I’m sure some do, however their play tells me something else.

I’m not asking for a World Series Championship here.  I just want the team to provide the illusion they care about the game they play.  They don’t have to win them all.  Wouldn’t a few be fun though?

Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic

In a little bit of a surprise, utility player Ryan Roberts won the final spot on the Arizona Diamondbacks opening day roster.  He beat out Josh Whitesell and Josh Wilson.  Don’t be surprised though if Roberts struggles or if there is an early injury, Whitesell and Wilson will be the first to be called up from Tucson.  Expect all three to get looks this season.