July 15, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (2) is forced out by Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney (15) in the first inning at Wrigley Field. Image: David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

This was not the way to come out of the All Star Break.

The Diamondbacks are reeling again, this time after getting swept in Chicago by the NL Central  fifth place Cubs.   About the only good thing that came out of this weekend’s series was another Aaron Hill home run. Other than that, it was one wretched weekend.  Here is all you need to know about what took place:   3 runs in 3 games at the “friendly confines” of Wrigley Field against a team that was 19 games under .500 at the break.   You can understand the lack of offense against Ryan Dempster who has been great in 2012.  But what about the other 21 innings in which he didn’t pitch?     Ugh.

Now they are off to Cincinnati to play the Reds who are on fire after just sweeping the Cardinals and leap frogging over the Pirates into first place.   Cincinnati is riding a six game winning  streak and look poised to go on a big run.   With Jason Kubel missing the last two games with a hamstring injury, this is the wrong time for the struggling D-Backs to face Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and company.   As they have many times already this season, Arizona turns to rookie Wade Miley to stop the bleeding.   The lefty has been outstanding so far this season, in fact you can argue he has been the team’s MVP thus far. 

The D-Backs have shown to be a resilient bunch.  Just look at the series before the break.  They were swept at home by the Padres lost the first game against the Dodgers, then finished strong winning three in a row.  This team is so unpredictable that even a sweep of the Reds is not out of the question.  A dominating performance by Trevor Bauer on Tuesday?  Sure, why not.

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Hmmm…where were all the boycotters?  Sure, there were protesters outside Wrigley on Thursday, but it sure didn’t keep people away.  Maybe that’s because smart people realize boycotting a Dbacks-Cubs game is not the way to get your voice heard.

The Dbacks treated the Cubs to a 13-5 thrashing, thanks to a 4 for 5 day at the plate for Dbacks second baseman Kelly Johnson, which included his NL leading ninth homer of the season.  First Baseman Adam Laroche added two home runs and five RBI and the Dbacks continued to roll offensively.

Dbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy pitched a strong game, his only blip an eighth inning grand slam by Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.  It meant nothing as the Dbacks were already holding a 13-1 lead at the time.

Outside the park, a mostly peaceful protest of the new Arizona Illegal Immigration Law took place.  There was one loud gentleman who screamed back to them not to boycott baseball.  Whether a Dbacks or Cubs fan, he was right.  You shouldn’t boycott baseball.  Some have countered my stance by saying any boycott would hurt the Dbacks because of revenue sharing.  Please.  People will still come or not come to games for their own reasons.  You have no way of determining if a ridiculous law in Arizona has anything to do with it.  You want to make a difference?  you want your voice heard?  Go write a letter to Major League Baseball and Commissioner Bud Selig.  Go talk to your congressmen.  It’s America and you have the right to protest.  I just don’t understand why people choose to waste their right by going about it in the wrong way.

Going in the right way now is the Dbacks.  They are back to .500 and getting some wins in Chicago will go a long way in getting this season jump started only three and a half weeks in.

Scott Allen