BASTA: Giants, With The Help Of Some Magic, Sweep D’backs

((HT: BASTA their own selves/Ben Leonard))

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. It has just not been Arizona’s year in 2014, even when it comes to luck. The Giants, the hottest team in baseball, winning 12 of 15, took advantage of the hapless D’backs, who rolled out a Triple-A-esque lineup on Thursday. Looking on the bright side for Arizona, they did score their first runs since Tuesday, putting up two, one on a Jake Lamb solo homer in the ninth. Those runs didn’t matter for San Francisco, who won their ninth straight home game, matching a streak of the same length from May of 2011. During the streak, the Giants have outscored their opponents 58-14, including Thursday’s 6-2 victory.

The baseball gods were working for the Giants on Thursday, giving the club the early momentum shift in the first inning that killed Arizona’s morale. Angel Pagan led off the frame with a double that just barely stayed fair down the first baseline, similar to Blanco’s double on Wednesday. Buster Posey worked starter Randall Delgado for eight pitches after falling behind 0-2, and got an infield single on a swing with absolutely no lower body, poking it to the third baseman Jake Lamb. The ball caromed off of his glove on his diving attempt to stop it, bouncing hard right past shortstop Cliff Pennington. With runners on first and third and two outs, Hunter Pence had an RBI single up the middle on a swing in which he wasn’t even holding the bat. He threw the bat at the ball, and hit it somewhat sharply up the middle, where it kicked up high off the bag and out of reach of the second baseman Chris Owings, plating Pagan to give the Giants a 1-0 lead.

Here's the Pence hit up the middle
((HT: MLB.com))


The particles were in the air Thursday afternoon. It felt like a playoff atmosphere at the yard, likely a preview of the Giants’ October. Jake Peavy, an integral part of the Giants’ playoff push, pitched admirably Thursday, going 5 and 2/3 strong innings, giving up only one run and striking out eight. Over his last six starts, Peavy has gone 5-1 with a minuscule 1.12 ERA while getting ample run support, something that killed his confidence when he was with Boston. He received 38 runs of support while with the Sox, but has received 34 in 70 and 2/3 less innings in San Francisco.

The Giants controlled the game all day long, and extended their lead with a three-run sixth inning. Juan Perez had an RBI double, Buster Posey had an RBI single, and Hunter Pence walked with the bases loaded against reliever Matt Stites. The Arizona bullpen was absolutely atrocious throughout the series, posting a 5.54 ERA despite throwing six innings with no earned runs (2 R) on Tuesday. San Francisco sits two back of the Dodgers in the NL West heading into a pivotal three-game set starting Friday.

Notes: Michael Morse (Oblique) will likely miss the series against the Dodgers, manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday. Bud Selig toured the park Thursday on his farewell tour, and visited Kruk and Kuip in the CSN Bay Area booth. Morse has missed the last nine games with the ailment. Madison Bumgarner (17-9, 3.02), who is one strikeout short of 200 on the season, will face Hyun-Jin Ryu (14-6, 3.16) in the opener of the most important series of the season.

BASTA: Petit and Giants Dominate All Facets in 5-1 Win

((HT: BASTA/Ben Leonard))

The Arizona Diamondbacks stood no chance on Tuesday against a Giants squad that controlled the game all night long. Joe Panik led the charge offensively, going five for five, all five being singles. He received a standing ovation from an announced sellout crowd of 41,683 after his fifth hit, coming the eighth inning on a hard ground ball single up the middle. Panik is the first Giants’ second baseman 23 or younger to record five hits in a single game since Tito Fuentes in 1966. He is hitting .463 in his last ten home games. His five hits brought his average up to .327, going along with a 124 wRC+ in his rookie season. Despite making his debut in late June, (technically May 22nd with the suspended game) Panik is making a late push for National League Rookie of the year. Panik has a 1.5 WAR in roughly two and a half months of play, while front-runner Billy Hamilton has posted a 3.4 WAR while playing all season long. He is likely a dark-horse candidate at best because of his lack of time in the big leagues, but his contributions have been a driving force in the Giants’ resurgence.

Here's Panik after the game talking about his five-hit night
((HT: CSN Bay Area))


Angel Pagan also had a huge night, which will go largely unnoticed because of Panik’s historic night. Pagan went 4 for 5 with three runs scored. He led off the game for San Francisco with a single, later scoring on Andrew Susac’s walk with the bases loaded to give the Giants a early 1-0 lead. The man of the night, Joe Panik said of Pagan on Giants Postgame Live, “When he’s on first base, he makes my job so much easier because with his speed, pitchers are afraid of him stealing bases, so I get good pitches to hit.”

The Giants chased Arizona starter Wade Miley after only two innings. Miley had no command whatsoever, walking four and giving up five hits, unlike his counterpart, Yusmeiro Petit. Petit was absolutely dominant, going the distance, allowing only one run on an Ender Inciarte solo homer, a splash hit into McCovey Cove. He made quick work of the lowly D’Backs, needing only eighty-four pitches in those nine masterful innings, giving up only four hits, while walking none. The complete game was the second of his career, the other one also coming against Arizona at home, when the D’Backs were down to their last strike in a perfect game bid. He threw 81% of his pitches for strikes, keeping Arizona off-balance all night long, striking out nine. Petit will receive less recognition than he deserves for his ace-like work Tuesday because of Panik, but the Giants don’t care about perception. Yusmeiro Petit has been an invaluable replacement for the struggling Tim Lincecum in the starting rotation, and along with Panik, is a key piece in the Giants’ playoff push.

Here's the short version of Petit's strike outs
((HT: MLB.com))


Notes: Josh Collmenter (10-7, 3.81) will take on Ryan Vogelsong (8-10, 4.06) in an ESPN national broadcast game at 7:00 PST on Wednesday. The Giants have won ten out of their last thirteen games, and with the Dodgers’ loss Tuesday, move two games back of LA in the NL West race.

Always Pay Attention! Just Ask The Rockies From Now On

((HT: MLB.com))

One of the first things any little leaguer was taught (hopefully) by their coaches was to always have your head in the game.

The Diamondbacks David Peralta qualifies for that and the battery for the Colorado Rockies definitely does not...
Watch what Peralta did on this pitch and catch while he was on third base...


You know his skipper was pleased...

When The Code Goes Kerflooey In Baseball

((HT: MLB/FS Arizona/ROOT Sports))

Diamondbacks stud first baseman Paul Goldschmidt's season is, probably, over with the hit by pitch that Ernesto Frieri gave him in his only at bat on Friday night in their game against the Pirates. There's a bone in his hand that's broken and will eight weeks minimum in getting better.

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson being Kirk Gibson responded Saturday where Bucos star Andrew McCutchen got hit in the back by Randall Delgado in the 9th inning of a 5-1 game


Goldschmidt was more realistic about it Friday night before the diagnosis was final


But it speaks to the larger question as to when managers cross lines...

What Frieri did looks like pitching inside
What Gibson did looks like revenge done poorly

The HQ sees nothing wrong with The Code, but codes take proper judgment in being implemented.
Doesn't look like that was the case here...

Lose A Bet, Take A Swim

((HT: MLB.com))

The HQ wouldn't necessarily call this losing a bet...

Neil Walker didn't hit a home run into the pool at Diamondbacks Park two night's ago, so he had to do what teammate Jordy Mercer told him to do yesterday...

The folks at ROOT Sports explain


Still don't see how that's losing a bet...

D-Backs Booth Goes All Star Wars

((HT: MLB.com))

It was "Star Wars" day in Phoenix as the Diamondbacks took on the Cubs...

And the HQ has always known the guys in the booth for Fox Sports Arizona to be good sports about, well, sports...

So there's always the introduction for the game to get the action started

Here's the intro with Berthiaume and Brenly playing their parts in the building...


Well done...

Giants Battery Makers History At The Plate

((HT: MLB.com/CSNBA))

The San Francisco Giants set a piece of history today becoming the first team to have their pitcher and catcher hit grand slams in the same game...

So, that meant it was Buster Posey for one of them
And Madison Bumgarner for the other...


Bumgarner hit his second slam of the season- matching Tony Cloninger's total from one game in 1966

Jason Kipnis And The Almost Inside-The-Park HR

((HT: MLB/FSAZ))

Cleveland and Arizona played for a while last night- Arizona eventually winning 9-8 in 14 innings.

But the Indians Jason Kipnis almost forced the issue an inning earlier with a shot to center
The D-Backs Didi Gregorius had issue with Kipnis' plans...

What Was Senator McCain Thinking Here...???

((HT: MLB.com))

The HQ has a couple of suggestions...

But, first, watch Paul Goldschmidt's home run and then the reaction of the Senator...


The HQ is thinking either this:


Or this:
((HT: Broadway Video))

Rockies Charlie Blackmon Has A Busy Day

((HT: MLB))

Charlie Blackmon didn't hit for the cycle against Arizona, but he did do something pretty special...


For someone who struggled in Spring Training, he went 6-for-6 yesterday and got his name in the history books in a few different ways:

First player to go 6-for-6 with a homer and three doubles.

First player since the Pirates' Dick Groat in 1960 to have three doubles among six hits in a game.

First player in Rockies' history to have five or more hits, drive in three or more runs and score four or more runs.

First leadoff hitter with six hits in a game since Ian Kinsler for the Rangers in 2009, and

19th leadoff hitter in history with as many hits in a contest.

Manager Walt Weiss has a very crowded outfield, but that's not a bad thing- especially when you need to take full advantage of your home situation knowing your power will be somewhat suspect on the road.

Oh, and Blackmon...???

He's now 9-for-16 for the young year- fantasy owners pounce...

Vin Scully Can Do No Wrong... Frankly, Everything Is Right...

((HT: MLB.com))

And that is reinforced here with his open from the Sydney Cricket Ground...


How cool is that...???
Pretty cool...

Welcome back, baseball...
Well, only parts of you...

Time Lapse Shows Australian Cricket Field Converted for Baseball

((ht: mlb.com))

This video is pretty cool. And we are suckers for a good time lapse video.

MLB.com shows what it took to convert the Sydney Cricket Grounds in Austrailia to a Major League Baseball ready facility.

And it appears it took quite a bit.

For those of you who don't know. Technically, baseball's regular season will begin this weekend down under as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks square off for a pair of games.

 Several Dodgers will not make the trip and the players don't appear to be overjoyed about flying across the Pacific Ocean and back for two games--but that's another story for another day.

In the meantime, enjoy this video:

Shreveport Pitcher On The Comeback Trail

((HT: KSLA-TV))

This is the short version of the story of Shreveport-Bossier City pitcher Logan Norris...

Norris was a top-flight high school pitcher who stayed local for college.
He and his family have gone through a lot of tragedy- including a family murder, with possible accomplices still on the loose after three years and a conviction.

And that's only a part of the beginning...
KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather

Dodgers Celebrate Division Title By Jumping in Arizona's Pool

No, really, this happened...and the Arizona Diamondbacks are less than thrilled about it.

The "it" we refer to is the reaction of several Los Angeles Dodgers after their 7-6 wins over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

The reaction--jumping in the swimming pool just over the outfield wall.

Yes, the Dodgers should be celebrating. After a horrible start to the season, they were one of baseball's hottest teams over the past 80 or so games. After trailing the Diamondbacks and others in the NL West, they pulled away, currently some 10 games up with just a few games left to play.

And according to our friends at The Big Lead, Diamondbacks infielder Willie Bloomquist called the move "Classless and disrespectful".

Can't disagree.

Here's the video from Fox Sports:

ICYMI: Giants Yusmerio Petit Misses Perfect Game by Inches

It's rare in baseball when any pitcher throws a no-hitter. It's even more rare when they are flirting with a perfect game.

And that is exactly what was happening to journeyman pitcher Yusmerio Petit of the San Francisco Giants Friday night.

Two outs in the top of the ninth inning at home with Eric Chavez of the Arizona Diamondbacks standing at the plate facing a 3-2 count. One strike away from baseball immortality. One pitch away from being the second Giants pitcher after Matt Cain to throw a no-walk, no-hit, perfect game.

And then this happened:

2 Position Players Finish On Mound For Phillies In 18-Inning Marathon

((HT: CSN Philly))

Let's just say it was a long day for the Phillies Casper Wells...

Arizona scored five two-out runs in the top of the 18th inning to beat the Phillies, 12-7. Wells started in right field for the Phillies, went 0 for 7 at the plate and took the loss in just his second major-league pitching appearance. He pitched last month in mop-up duty for the White Sox.

Wells, forced onto the mound after the Phils depleted their bullpen, ended up allowing five two-out runs before being relieved by infielder John McDonald.

The game started at 7:05PM and ended at 2:12AM- 7 hours, six minutes: the longest in Phillies history. The teams combined to use 20 pitchers, tying a major-league record.

Here's Ryne Sandberg post-game...


According to Jayson Stark through his Twitter:

Last player before Casper Wells to go 0x7 & allow 5 runs in a game was Lum Harris for '42 A's. but he got 46 outs. Wells got 2!

Tim Hudson Carted Off In Flushing, Fractures Ankle Covering First- Done For 2013

((HT:_markberry on MobyPicture))

Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson was carted off the field in Queens after trying to beat Eric Young, Junior to the bag covering first on a ground ball in the bottom of the 8th inning...

This is not pretty and the squeamish really should think twice before hitting "Play..."
The Braves starters had not missed a start in the first half of the season, but have had two go down since the All-Star return... Here's the broadcast version... ((HT: FS Braves)) Dan Uggla was asked about Hudson postgame: "He was in disbelief on the ground. I know he was in a lot of pain. He's one of those guys you love. He's devastated."
As of 2040HRS, Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez did not have an injury update. He has not had the chance to speak to Braves trainer Jeff Porter to get his feedback... but it was disclosed that Hudson has fractured his right ankle.

When he returns to Atlanta, Hudson will have surgery to repair the damage. He is done for the 2013 season.

D'backs Spanish Announcer Accused of Assault

And also threatening to kill his wife at their home...

Miguel Perez Quintana is the Spanish-language play-by-play guy for the Arizona Diamondbacks (mugshot right, thanks

Azcentral.com) and he has been arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage, and intimidation...

Bail is set at $10-grand raising the ire of a lot of people in the desert...

Quintana’s wife told police she woke up Monday evening to find her husband fishing through her cell phone- for what, is not made exactly clear...but he apparently wasn't happy with what he either was trying to find or actually found...

When she asked for it back, the fight began where Mrs. Quintana threatened to destroy her husband's laptop since he spiked her phone to the floor. According to court records, Quintana allegedly grabbed his wife during the chase in the kitchen, threw her to the ground and got on top of her, slapped her, put a kitchen knife to her throat and said: “I’m going to kill you.”

The couple’s son walked in on the fight, and told police that he saw his mother on her back on the kitchen floor and his father on top of her, holding a large kitchen knife.

Phoenix police arrived to find the woman with cuts and bleeding on her left hand. By then, Quintana was gone. And he is also on suspension pending the resolution of all this...

“The Arizona Diamondbacks take this issue and these allegations very seriously and do not condone, nor will we tolerate violence of any kind,” spokesman Josh Rawitch said. “We have taken immediate action to suspend Miguel until this matter is resolved in court.”

Quintana was arrested Wednesday and has a preliminary hearing on the 26th...
Here's the story from our friends at KTVK and AZFamily.com

Ian Kennedy Gets 10 Game Suspension In The Dodgers/Diamondbacks Brawl

The czars of MLB discipline handed out their punishments from the brawl Tuesday night between the D-Back and the Dodgers.

In case you forgot what happened, roll the videotape.



Diamondback pitcher Ian Kennedy has received a 10-game suspension for intentionally throwing a pitch toward the head of the Dodgers Zach Greinke in the bottom of the seventh inning after a warning had already been issued to both Clubs earlier in the game.

Both managers, Kirk Gibson of the D-Backs and Don Mattingly of the Dodgers got one game suspensions each.  Gibson's suspension is for the intentional actions of Kennedy after a warning had been issued (MLB speak) and Mattingly for "....the actions of his Club and for his conduct during the incident."

Mattingly threw down Diamondback coach Alan Trammell. 

Oh there's more, D-Backs Eric Henske left the dugout and in the words of MLB acted agressively during the incident.  That's going to cost Henske five games.

Dodger pitcher J.P. Howell, infielder/outfielder Skip Schumaker and hitting coach Mark McGwire each received two game suspensions.

A Huge Brawl Between D-Backs & Dodgers

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers had a bench clearing brawl in the 7th inning
of Tuesday nights game at Dodger Stadium.

This had been brewing since the sixth inning when D-Backs pitcher Ian Kennedy beaned Dodger phenom Yasiel Puig with a 92 MPH fastball in the face. 

In the top of the seventh Dodger pitcher Zach Greinke retaliated beaning Diamondback catcher Miguel Montero.  The benches emptied but no punches were thrown.

“It’s just baseball from the standpoint that Puig gets hit in the face, Montero gets hit and it’s over,” Dodger manager Don Mattingly said. “It should have really been over at that point.”

It wasn't.

Next came the Dodgers turn to bat in the seventh and the first pitch Greinke faced in his at-bat hit him in the shoulder.

And then it was on.



Here's the blow-by-blow description; Puig threw an overhand punch that caught D-Backs reserve infielder Eric Hinske in the back of the head.  Also Dodger manager Don Mattingly threw down Diamondbacks coach Alan Trammel in a "back to the 80's" moment.

Dodger hitting coach Mark McGwire was also hot under the collar.  His confrontation with
Diamondbacks coach Matt Williams and manager Kirk Gibson was good for the way back machine too.

By the way the Dodgers defeated the D-Backs 5-3 on Tim Federowicz's three run double in the bottom of the eighth.