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D-backs Sweep Rockies, Win Nine Straight

Josh Collmenter wasn't brilliant but six innings, two earned runs allowed was enough to get the job done as the D-backs win their ninth-straight and sweep the Rockies out of town.

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10 Total Updates since August 29, 2011
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Diamondbacks Activate Geoff Blum, Alberto Casillo, Recall Ryan Cook & Sam Demel

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced some roster moves Thursday as infielder Geoff Blum and pitcher Alberto Castillo have been activated from the disabled list, while recalling pitchers Ryan Cook and Sam Demel from Triple-A Reno, according to Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers.

Cook had been called up two previous times to the Show, sporting a 0-1 record with an unfortunate 21.60 ERA (4 ER in 1.2 IP) and .583 opponents average. In 14 games with Triple-A Reno, he went 0-1 with 6 saves, a 2.12 ERA (4 ER in 17.0 IP) and .224 opponents average (13-for-58) with 8 walks and 12 strikeouts. As for Demel, his 2-2 record and 3.60 ERA (10 ER in 25.0 IP)  in 32 games for the D-backs was enough for the team to want him back after he was optioned to Reno on August 1. Demel held opponents scoreless in his final 6 games and 8 of his 11 outings with the Aces. 

Arizona will be excited to get Geoff Blum back after placing him on the DL July 26 with a fractured right pinkie finger; his second stint on the DL this year. In 3 rehabilitation appearances with AZL D-backs and Single-A Visalia, he hit .625 (5-for-8) with 2 doubles, a home run and 3 RBI. They can definitely use the infield depth and another decent bat in the lineup from Blum.

As for Castillo, his DL stint starting July 30 caused him to miss 30 games with left shoulder tendinitis. He made 3 rehabilitation appearances with Reno, allowing only one unearned run with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts over 3.0 innings of work. He posted a 1-0 record and 0.96 ERA (1 ER in 9.1 IP) with 7 walks and 6 strikeouts in 12 games for the D-backs this year. 

The team still has one spot left on their 40 man roster as well yet to be filled. 

For more on the D'backs, check out AZ Snake Pit to get in on the action. 

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Arizona Diamondbacks Complete Sweep Of Colorado Rockies With 4-2 Win

The Arizona Diamondbacks won their ninth-straight game and held on to a six-game lead over the San Francisco Giants who managed to (finally) get a home win against the Cubs. The win also marks the second-straight series sweep over a divisional foe. The Colorado Rockies didn't go down without a fight but in the end, they were sent away winless.

Josh Collmenter has now faced the Rockies four times and they seemed a bit more prepared for him. The Rox recorded five hits and hit several other balls hard that the defense was able to turn into outs. What saved Collmenter was the zero walks issued. He gave up a solo home run to the suddenly powerful Dexter Fowler (his second on the season) and an RBI to Eliezer Alfonzo.

"Just think about how many runs we save," skipper Kirk Gibson said after the game. "It's just awesome. We played great defense...We've been talking about it, that makes your pitching a lot better. Josh (Collmenter) didn't walk anybody. So, when you're not walking anybody and you're making big plays like that consistently it just helps you hold 'em down."

Miguel Montero provided the pop with a three-run home run in the first inning after Willie Bloomquist singled and Justin Upton was hit by his 16th pitch of the season. Gerardo Parra, who gunned down the speedy Fowler at the plate earlier in the game, drove in a fourth D-back run in sixth. 

The bullpen continued to be effective. They went three scoreless innings to secure the win for Collmenter. J.J. Putz gets his 35th save. 

The D-backs now head to San Francisco with a chance to put the Giants in a very deep hole with a couple of wins. 

For more on this game visit AZ Snake Pit.

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Brad Ziegler Improves After Resolving Issues With Arizona Diamondbacks Coaching Staff

New Diamondbacks reliever Brad Ziegler talks about his adjustment coming to Arizona which included a difference of opinion with the coaching staff that eventually got resolved.

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Ryan Roberts: The Poster Child For The 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks

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