Everyone in unison as we leave San Diego: Good Riddance. Perhaps whatever stomach bug the club had going around the last few days is similar to the bug that’s plagued them all season against the Padres. They won just one game in their last nine attempts and finished 5-10 on the season vs. their division rivals. As stated earlier this week by Dbacks blogger Thomas Lynch, the Dbacks have constantly played down to their competition. Falling victim to lesser teams throughout the second half has all but ensured their season ending without a playoff berth.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Takashi Saito (48) wipes his face off with a towel after being taken out during the seventh inning after giving up back-to-back home run against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Image: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE
Record Notes: The Dbacks finished their “crucial” ten game road trip against N.L. West teams 5-5. Half of their games were decided by one run with Arizona on the losing end in four of those contests.
*They’re now just 3-10 in their last thirteen one run games and 11-24 overall this season.
*Their overall record sits at 69-72 and they’re 10.5 games behind the first place Giants with 21 games remaining. Ho hum.
GOOD: Adam Eaton has made an impact in just about every facet of the game for the Dbacks since he was called up on September 1st. In his three games this weekend, the center fielder went 6 for 14 with three runs scored, a double and his first career stolen base. His defense has been just as impressive with plays like this showing off his speed and cannon on the throw back in to first.
*Miguel Montero continues to hit the ball well in September finishing with four more hits against the Padres scoring three runs and driving in another three. He now has a multi-hit game in five of his last seven efforts raising his average to .285.
BAD: Starting Pitching. None of the three rookie lefties pitched very effectively although you could argue that Patrick Corbin was serviceable on Sunday despite taking the loss. In all, the three combined for 13 2/3 innings while allowing 13 earned runs. Luckily for Wade Miley he was given some run support with six runs in the first three innings on Saturday helping the rookie of the year candidate collect his 15th win despite allowing five earned runs in just 5 1/3 innings.
*Aaron Hill collected just one hit in eleven at bats over the weekend series- a solo homerun. He did walk three times on Sunday and swiped two more bases giving him fourteen on the season. Not a whole lot to worry about with the second baseman though as he leads all N.L. second baseman in hits, doubles, homeruns, average, on base percentage and slugging percentage.
UGLY: RISP. This seems to be a recurring theme for the club as they struggle to put together a winning streak. This weekend was particularly bad as they finished just 3 for 30 against the Padres. These are the exact situations that the Dbacks were able to convert at a higher rate a year ago. It’s no wonder why they’ve fared so poorly in one run games with such a low conversion rate with runners in scoring position.
NOTES: *Paul Goldschmidt Homerun Watch continues at 22 games now as the first baseman hasn’t gone yard since August 17th, his longest streak of the season.
*Justin Upton hit the longest homerun in Petco Park for 2012 on Saturday- a 452 foot bomb.
*Jason Kubel enjoyed his 10th career multi-homer game Saturday as he also set a new career high in homeruns at 29.
*The Diamondbacks will get a day off Monday before beginning an eight game homestand at Chase Field on Tuesday. Ian Kennedy will take on Clayton Kershaw as the Dbacks attempt to string together some wins beginning with the Dodgers in a two game set.
Now bring on the Dodgers!!!
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