A Little Communication Is Just What Trevor Bauer Needed For 1st Major League Win

Trevor Bauer Gets First Big League Win As Diamondbacks Offense Erupts

The Arizona Diamondbacks didn't wait for a late-inning comeback against the Los Angeles Dodgers like their previous two meetings, and defeated the Dodgers 7-1, for their third consecutive win. The D-backs got off to an early lead behind some superior pitching by Trevor Bauer and timely hitting by Paul Goldschmidt.

Trevor Bauer threw 96 pitches, and completed a season-high six innings before leaving the game. He showed good command, and finished with six strikeouts and one walk, while giving up only two hits. Bauer threw 13 of 21 first pitch strikes, and retired the last twelve Dodger batters he faced.

The Diamondbacks got an early lead in the bottom of the first inning when leadoff batter Willie Bloomquist hit a single to right field to get things started. With one out, Justin Upton hit a deep ball off the right field fence for a triple that scored Bloomquist. That was followed by a ground rule double that Paul Goldschmidt bounced over the center field wall to score Upton. After one inning, the D-backs led 2-0.

Justin Upton started a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth inning by driving a single to right field. His hit was followed by another single to right by Jason Kubel. Paul Goldschmidt, who already had a double in the first inning, bombed one over the left center field wall, giving him a career-high four RBI's in a game, and extending the Diamondbacks lead to 5-0.

With Ronald Belisario pitching for the Dodgers, Aaron Hill led off the seventh inning by hitting a single to right field. Justin Upton finished his day going three-for-four by hitting a double to right, advancing Hill to third. Kubel was intentionally walked, and with one out, Miguel Montero hit a two-run single to the left center field gap, putting the game out of reach at 7-0.

The Dodgers never really threatened through eight innings, getting only two hits up to that point. After Patrick Corbin threw two hitless innings in relief for the Diamondbacks, he gave up three base hits to the first three Dodgers batters in the ninth to load the bases. Juan Uribe hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Bobby Abreu, and advancing the other runners to second and third. Remaining in the game, Corbin got the next two batters out as the crowd chanted "Beat L.A.", giving the Diamondbacks the win, and Trevor Bauer his first major league win of his career.

Winning the series 3-1 with their three game win streak, the Diamondbacks draw within four games of the National League West leading Dodgers. They now stand one game under .500 at 42-43 heading into the MLB All-Star break.

Former Arizona Diamondback Micah Owings To Become A Positional Player

Fifth Inning Rally Leads D-backs To Another Comeback Win Over Dodgers, 5-3

The Arizona Diamondbacks got seven strong innings from starter Trevor Cahill as they win 5-3 over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second straight night. Gerardo Parra's two-run double keyed a fifth inning rally that gave the D-backs the lead and Jason Kubel also homered.

The Dodgers got on the board first for the third straight game, as Jerry Hairston hit a two-run homer off of Cahill.

After that, Cahill was solid.

Arizona got a rally in the fifth inning that got them the lead. Gerardo Parra doubled home Miguel Montero (who had doubled) and Geoff Blum (who had singled) to tie the game. Parra moved up to third when Trevor Cahill grounded out and then Stephen Drew got him home with a sacrifice fly.

The sixth inning the D-backs also manufactured a run. Justin Upton doubled, moved to third on a flyout by Jason Kubel and scored on a Paul Goldschmidt sacrifice fly. That made the score 4-2.

Arizona would need that run as A.J. Ellis homered to lead off the seventh. But Kubel hit his 15th homer of the year to make the score 5-3, how it would end.

David Hernandez pitched a scoreless eighth and J.J. Putz closed the game out for the second night in a row, giving him 16 saves on the year now.

With the win, Arizona pulls within five games of first place with one game left in the series and before the All-Star Break.

Trevor Bauer and Chris Capuano will face off in the final game of the series Sunday.

Get more Diamondbacks coverage over at AZ Snakepit.

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Justin Upton Rumors: D-backs Would Move Star Outfielder In Right Deal

After news came on Friday that the Arizona Diamondbacks would listen in on offers for Justin Upton, Buster Olney reported on Saturday that the club would deal their star outfielder should the right offer be made. There was no word on what kind of asking price the D-backs may be setting for Upton, but their marketing tactics does remind Olney of another big name player who was dealt last year.

Here's the latest from Olney and his blog:

The Diamondbacks have let other teams know that they are willing to trade Justin Upton, for the right package. This reminds some executives of the Rockies' marketing of Ubaldo Jimenez last summer. "They wouldn't be pushing it this hard in the middle of the year," said one official, "unless they really wanted him out of there."

Upton is owed about $45 million for the rest of his contract, which runs through the 2015 season.

Speculation is always wild in the weeks leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, but the quote about pushing their former All-Star in a mid-season deal is very interesting. It remains to be seen if Upton can turn around his season or not, but it appears Arizona may be willing to move him regardless of his performance if the right assortment of players is offered.

For more on Upton and the Diamondbacks, check out AZ Snake Pit.

D-backs 5-3 Win Postgame Notes: Don't Boo Upton, Collmenter Wants To Start, Kubel's Arm

The Arizona Diamondbacks needed a win in the worst win on Friday, having lost six straight games previously. They got it in a 5-3 win over the Dodgers. It was another case of winning solving problems. Manager Kirk Gibson and some of the players had some things to say after the game. Here are some of those quotes.

On Justin Upton:

Upton came up huge in the sixth inning, getting that two-run triple against Clayton Kershaw. It was only the second time he had ever gotten a hit off of him. Upton said, "It's always nice to get a big hit for your team, and get a good reaction."

He had been booed recently and was quoted as saying he didn't care about what the fans thought. Getting that big hit got the appropriate reaction from the fans.

Kirk Gibson was a little more direct about the booing of his right-fielder. "Honestly, the home fans, they shouldn't be booing the kid, period," said the manager after the game. "We've got to stick behind him. We need to encourage him through the tough times." It is not the first time Gibson has been a bit critical of how the fans have responded to Upton.

Josh Collmenter, his performance and wanting to start:

After being moved to the bullpen early in the season, a place where he has had great success pitching in long relief, Collmenter has done very well in the starting rotation replacing Daniel Hudson, who went down to injury. He has allowed just two earned runs in 12 innings.

His play was great on Friday. "You can't say enough about Josh Collmenter," said Kirk Gibson. "I mean, 111 pitches. He's never been past 91. he's just such a good competitor...He just competes and executes pitches for us. It's outstanding he got the win tonight."

How was he able to extend himself and stay effective? "I knew with it being the last start going into the break," answered Collmenter. "I wanted to give them everything I had."

Joe Saunders should be back from the disabled list after the All-Star Break, which will mean that either Trevor Bauer or Collmenter will get moved out of the rotation.

I asked Collmenter what role he would prefer. Gibby has gone on record saying he loves him in the long relief role, but he also has stood behind him as a starter. Said Collmenter:

"I definitely want to be a starter. It's what I've been my entire career and I think this helps if we need a spot to fill as a starter. I think the last couple of outings definitely help the decision going into the break, but ultimately they're going take some days to decide what to do and how they want to set everything up coming out. Whichever role is going to be fun for me, but hopefully it's in a starting spot."

My thoughts have been for some time that unless Trevor Bauer is fantastic on Sunday, it will be Collmenter remaining in the rotation, Bauer getting some seasoning in the minors and Patrick Corbin holding the long relief spot.

On Jason Kubel's arm:

Left-fielder Jason Kubel made one of the biggest plays of the game to end the Dodgers' half of the seventh inning. With one out and the bases loaded, he caught a James Loney fly ball and then threw out Mark Ellis, who was trying to score from third. It was Kubel's 11th outfield assist on the season. Gerardo Parra holds the team reacord with 12, a mark he set just last season. Kubel also had nine assists in 2011 for Minnesota, but that was in only 59 games. "That's what he's been doing for us all year," said Gibson after the game. "He's just so accurate."

Maybe the National League will catch wind and stop running on him.

Arizona and Los Angeles will play again Saturday night at 7:10 PM.

Get more Diamondbacks coverage over at AZ Snakepit.

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Justin Upton's 2-Run Triple Leads D-backs 6th Inning Rally In 5-3 Win Over Dodgers

The Arizona Diamondbacks had a tall task coming into Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. They sought to end a six-game losing streak, but had to do it against Clayton Kershaw the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. But six solid innings by Josh Collmenter and a five-run rally keyed by Justin Upton led the D-backs to a 5-3 win over the Dodgers.

Los Angeles got a run it should not have in the third inning. Tony Gwynn reached base on a throwing error by Willie Bloomquist and, with two outs, Bobby Abreu doubled him home to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

While Kershaw mowed down the D-backs' hitters, Collmenter gave up his one earned run to start the fourth inning. Adam Kennedy led off with a homer and James Loney followed with a double off the center-field wall. Collmenter got out of the inning allowing just the one run, striking out Luis Cruz, retiring Kershaw on a sacrifice bunt and getting Gywnn to fly out to center.

Collmenter made his case to remain in the Diamondbacks rotation. In his second straight solid outing, he allowed just one earned run in six innings and struck out six.

The Arizona bats woke up in the sixth against Kershaw. After a leadoff walk to Henry Blanco and a strikeout of pinch hitter Lyle Overbay, the D-backs banged out four straight hits against Kershaw for four runs to chase the LA ace. Bloomquist singled Blanco to third, Aaron Hill drove him in and that brought up Upton, who was 1-22 in his career against Kershaw. He tripled down the left-field line to give his team the lead and then scored when Jason Kubel doubled after that.

Jamey Wright relieved Kershaw and walked the bases loaded and threw a wild pitch that scored Kubel, making the score 5-2 Arizona.

The Arizona bullpen made things interesting. Brian Shaw couldn't retire any of the four hitters he faced, allowing a walk and three hits.

Mike Zagurski came in with a 5-3 lead and slammed the door shut with some help. He struck out pinch hitter Jerry Hairston and then got James Loney to fly out to short left field. Mark Ellis tried to score and was cut down at the plate by Jason Kubel, who now has 11 outfield assists on the year.

David Hernandez also made things hard on himself allowing a pair of hits to start off the eighth inning. But he struck out Elian Herrera, got Tony Gwynn to fly out and struck out Mark Ellis to keep LA from scoring.

J.J. Putz pitched the ninth to notch his 15th save of the year, but allowed two hits.

Collmenter picked up his first win of the season. Kershaw, who took the loss, fell to 6-5, allowing five runs in five innings and a third. It was the most runs he had ever allowed against Arizona.

Get more Diamondbacks coverage over at AZ Snakepit.

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Vin Scully Offers Perspective On Fans' View Of Justin Upton

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Diamondbacks Kill Own Rallies, Lose 4-1 To Dodgers For 6th Straight Loss

The Arizona Diamondbacks again struggled offensively and Dodgers starter Nathan Eovaldi was aided by three double plays. Scott Van Slyke and Elian Herrera each homered off of Wade Miley and Eovaldi picked up fhis first win of the season as Los Angeles sent Arizona to their sixth straight defeat, 4-1 on Thursday night.

The Dodgers jumped on Miley early, scoring two runs on four straight hits in the top of the first inning. Mark Ellis and Jerry Hairston crossed the plate on hits by Juan Rivera and Luis Cruz.

Manager Kirk Gibson said after the game that Miley "wasn't able to hit his location," but "did a real good job getting out of that with the two runs." He noted that Miley was elevating everything that got hit and that his velocity was down.

Arizona got one back in the bottom of the second, but could have had more. They loaded the bases on a double by Paul Goldschmidt, sandwiched by walks to Jason Kubel and Miguel Montero. Aaron Hill grounded into a double play that did not score a run, but Stephen Drew singled in Goldschmidt to cut the LA lead to one run.

Miley settled down after the first inning, but gave up a Scott Van Slyke homer in the fourth inning to push the lead for the Dodgers to 3-1. He gave up another homer to make it 4-1, the first career homer for Elian Herrera, with two outs in the seventh, and that was it for the left-hander. "I probably left him out there one guy too much," said Gibson after the game, but he was trying to get him through the inning "trying to get him the win."

His velocity was down, and Gibson said it could be a result of the fact that the team is halfway through the season, or that it also is due to the lack of off days.

Miley, though, would not point to velocity as an excuse, nor did he think that it was an issue. "I felt fine," he said. "It just whether you throw 88 or 94 (mph), if the ball is belt high, middle of the plate, someone is going to hit it."

Eovaldi went six innings and allowed just the one run. Scott Elbert, Ron Belisario and Kenley Jansen combined to pitch three scoreless innings to finish the game. Jansen picked up the save, his 15th of the year. He struck out Justin Upton, Jason Kubel and Paul Goldschmidt.

Eovaldi, with his first win of the year, improves to 1-5. Miley falls to 9-5 in his final game before heading to Kansas City for the All-Star Game.

Arizona failed to homer as well. That ended their 15-game homer streak as a team.

The two teams will play again on Friday night at 6:40 PM.

Get more Diamondbacks coverage over at AZ Snakepit.

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Kirk Gibson Downplays Justin Upton's Postgame Comments, Explains Joe Saunders' Rehab Outing

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton made some waves with his postgame comments on Wednesday, saying that he doesn't care what the fans think. Prior to Thursday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Kirk Gibson gave his thoughts on the subject, very much downplaying what his young player said.

"I didn't read it that way," said Gibby, referring to whether Upton really doesn't care about fans. "I think what he was saying was that he goes out and he knows he prepares and he's doing everything he can.

"It's all how you take the context of any quote. Obviously he cares. If he didn't, he wouldn't be out there right now."

He also took a small jab at the fans for booing. He recognizes why they do it, but asked, "Would booing in any way, shape or form motivate somebody or help somebody? The reality of it is, and we all know why they do it. J-up cares about everything he does here. Trust me."

At the same time, Gibson noted how large crowd was, with more than 48,000 in attendance. "It seemed like it was way worse," he said.

I don't see this as spin. It is abrupt when a player says something like that. But Upton is saying that he knows how hard he is trying, so it doesn't matter what fans say. He's doing all he can and is playing for his teammates and coaches, the guys that are rooting for him.

If the fans were supporting him, he would sound different. He is saying that it doesn't matter if they boo -- it won't change his approach.

Gibson also spoke about Joe Saunders, who, despite his personal desires, will make a rehab start on Sunday night at 7 PM at Salt River Fields. He explained why it is happening.

"It's very noble to think that he could sit out three weeks virtually, throw one time off the mound 51 pitches in a simulated game and go out and be ready to throw 110 pitches," explained Gibson. "It is of our opinion and that's everybody that's not smart.

"We just think it's smarter for Joe Saunders to go get up to 80-90 pitches and then get into 100-105 pitches the next game, then build up his arm strength to get where he was."

It does make sense. Saunders needs to get his strength up and it is the safe thing to do. Plus, it allows the team to give Trevor Bauer at least one more look before the All-Star Break and then the break for the team to decide on how the rotation will work out for the second half of the season.

Get more Diamondbacks coverage over at AZ Snakepit.

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D-backs vs. Dodgers Lineups Released For Thursday

The Arizona Diamondbacks have hit a rough stretch, losing five games in a row that was capped off by a sweep to the lowly Padres. The losing streak came right about the time many felt the club would make their move in the National League West standings, but that was not the case. Now, with the slumping Dodgers coming to town for a four-game series, the D-backs will look to make up ground in a head-to-head matchup.

All-Star pitcher Wade Miley will take the mound for the Diamondbacks tonight. He will be opposed by Nathan Eovaldi. Here are the lineups for Thursday night's showdown.

Diamondbacks:

Parra 8
Bloomquist 5
Upton 9
Kubel 7
Goldschmidt 3
Montero 2
Hill 4
Drew 6
Miley 1

Dodgers:

Herrera 7
M Ellis 4
Hairston Jr 5
Rivera 3
Cruz 6
AJ Ellis 2
Van Slyke 9
Gwynn 8
Eovaldi 1

For more on the Diamondbacks, check out AZ Snake Pit. For continued updates on the Dodgers head over to True Blue LA.

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