Venom Strikes » Kirk Gibson

D’backs Drop Second Straight at Coors Field

Thomas Lynch — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:59:03 +0000

The Arizona Diamondbacks lost 4-3 Saturday night to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. It was the second straight defeat at the hands of the Rox and once again a ninth inning rally came up just a little bit short. Wil Nieves flied to right field to end the game as Paul Goldschmidt was left at third and Gerardo Parra was stranded at second. Trevor Cahill pitched well, surrendering three earned runs on six hits in falling to 0-3 on the season. Trailing 4-0 in the eighth inning, Eric Chavez came off the bench and cut the deficit in half with a two run homer, his first as a D’back. Miguel Montero‘s RBI groundout in the ninth inning wrapped up the scoring as Arizona has now dropped four out of their last five games and is 1-4 on the current road trip.

Cody Ross was tossed out of Saturday night’s game in Colorado. Image: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

There were some fireworks in the top of the seventh inning as Cody Ross was tossed out of the game by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild. After being called out on strikes, Ross flipped his bat and helmet in disgust as he started to walk out to his position not realizing Fairchild had given him the thumb. When Ross turned around, he exploded not believing he was just ejected from the game. He was so irate that Kirk Gibson had to restrain his right fielder only to be tossed himself. When you watch a clip of the video here, you will clearly see that Ross meant no disrespect toward Fairchild. That was a needless hook by the ump who should have his conduct reviewed by Major League Baseball.

For the second straight series, the D’backs head into a finale looking to avoid getting swept. Brandon McCarthy takes to the mound seeking his first victory with the Snakes as the Rockies counter with Juan Nicasio who hopes to stay undefeated. After finishing up in Denver, the D’backs head to San Francisco to face the World Series Champion Giants.

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Please Don’t Let Miguel Montero Catch the Next Two Games

Thomas Lynch — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:41:30 +0000

Far be it from me to tell a manager how to fill out his lineup card. Although I am a pretty decent coach of my eight year old son’s Little League team (“stop drawing on the dirt!”), I am hardly qualified to fill out a Major League squad’s lineup card night in and night out. However, I do have one small request for Kirk Gibson as his Arizona Diamondbacks get ready to play the second game of a three game set with the New York Yankees tonight in the Bronx. In fact, I am already thinking ahead to tomorrow which means that I should expect a call from some club’s Single A affiliate any day now. Anyway, here is what I ask of Gibby:

I don’t want to see Miguel Montero in his catcher’s gear the next two games. Image: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Please sit Miguel Montero the next two days.

When I mean sit, I don’t mean take his bat out of the lineup. Playing at Yankee Stadium can allow him to be the designated hitter as the D’backs get set to face C.C. Sabathia and Phil Hughes. DH’ing can give him a little mini break before the Snakes head back to National League and (more importantly) divisional play as after this series, their next 19 games come against NL West opponents. I understand the team loses a little punch when Wil Nieves is behind the plate, especially now with Aaron Hill out for up to six weeks. However, Gibson needs to preserve Miggy and get him rest whenever possible. He has already appeared in every game this season after playing in over 140 the past two years. Plus, there was the added games of the World Baseball Classic which are obviously not your standard Spring Training affairs. Considering Sabathia is on the mound tonight, I would seriously think about sitting Miggy the entire game unless there are extra innings or a big hit is needed late and the D’backs are trailing.

While every game counts in the standings, interleague contests are the ones where you can play a little bit differently. The D’backs are not chasing the Yanks or vice versa for a playoff spot. The team needs Miguel Montero at catcher to help them beat the San Francisco Giants in September not the New York Yankees in April. When I see the lineup announced for tonight, I hope Gibby does the right thing.

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Kirk Gibson and Dusty Baker Go at It

Thomas Lynch — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:57:00 +0000

Don’t tell Kirk Gibson and Dusty Baker that Spring Training games don’t mean anything. The managers of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds engaged in a heated discussion before Monday’s preseason game at Salt River Field in Scottsdale, AZ. As written by Steve Gilbert, who covers the D’backs at mlb.com, the issue involved using a designated hitter for the game. Baker wanted a DH spot so as to allow Shin-Soo Choo to get some at-bats while resting his injured quadriceps. Gibson preferred the traditional National League affair as to allow starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy to get a turn or two at the plate as he acclimates himself to hitting after coming over from the American League. In these Spring Training contests, the home team has the final say and the game was played without a DH. Baker did not take too kindly to Gibby’s decision so the skippers had some words behind home plate as the lineup cards were exchanged. At the end of the discussion, Gibson extended his hand to Baker but Dusty refused to shake it. It remains to be seen if this has any carry-over to when the two teams meet for real in June.

Kirk Gibson was not smiling before Monday’s game against the Reds. Image: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

You could easily see why both managers were so animated in their positions. However, once Gibson decided to that he wasn’t budging from his stance, Baker should have just backed off. I understand that the courtesy of playing by different rules in opposing ballparks takes place from time to time. However, I do not blame Gibby for being so steadfast in wanting McCarthy to get some AB’s. The right-hander could have as many as 60-75 plate appearances in 2013 after having a grand total of 10 in his previous seven seasons. There will be times when he will be asked to do more than lay down a bunt. Who wants to have their pitcher become an automatic out? McCarthy needs as many repetitions as possible because during the early part of Spring Training, he may get at most three meaningful swings per start.

Monday’s dustup could be the result of two hard-nosed, prideful former World Series champion players that bring their edginess to their current positions. Before June, the two teams actually meet in the final two preseason games for both teams at Chase Field March 29th and 30th. I can’t imagine there will be any carry-over effect between the two men at the end of the month. When June 21st arrives, they can even share a meal before the game.

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