SB Nation Arizona - D-backs Sweep Rockies, Win Nine Straighthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2011-09-01T11:52:44-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21566132011-09-01T11:52:44-07:002011-09-01T11:52:44-07:00Diamondbacks Activate Geoff Blum, Alberto Casillo, Recall Ryan Cook & Sam Demel
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> announced some roster moves Thursday as infielder <span>Geoff Blum</span> and pitcher Alberto Castillo have been activated from the disabled list, while recalling pitchers <span>Ryan Cook</span> and <span>Sam Demel</span> from Triple-A Reno, according to Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers.</p>
<p>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<u> </u>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>The team still has one spot left on their 40 man roster as well yet to be filled. </p>
<p><i>For more on the D'backs, check out <a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/" target="_blank">AZ Snake Pit</a> to get in on the action.</i> </p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/9/1/2398422/diamondbacks-activate-geoff-blum-alberto-casillo-recall-ryan-cook-sam-demelErnie Pomin2011-08-31T21:14:27-07:002011-08-31T21:14:27-07:00Arizona Diamondbacks Complete Sweep Of Colorado Rockies With 4-2 Win
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<p>The <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> won their ninth-straight game and held on to a six-game lead over the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a> who managed to (finally) get a home win against the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a>. The win also marks the second-straight series sweep over a divisional foe. The <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Rockies</a> didn't go down without a fight but in the end, they were sent away winless.</p>
<p><span>Josh Collmenter</span> 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 <span>Dexter Fowler</span> (his second on the season) and an RBI to <span>Eliezer Alfonzo</span>.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p><span>Miguel Montero</span> provided the pop with a three-run home run in the first inning after <span>Willie Bloomquist</span> singled and <span>Justin Upton</span> was hit by his 16th pitch of the season. <span>Gerardo Parra</span>, who gunned down the speedy Fowler at the plate earlier in the game, drove in a fourth D-back run in sixth. </p>
<p>The bullpen continued to be effective. They went three scoreless innings to secure the win for Collmenter. J.J. Putz gets his 35th save. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>For more on this game visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.azsnakepit.com">AZ Snake Pit</a>.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/8/31/2397253/arizona-diamondbacks-complete-sweep-of-colorado-rockies-with-4-2-winSeth Pollack2011-08-31T19:53:17-07:002011-08-31T19:53:17-07:00Brad Ziegler Improves After Resolving Issues With Arizona Diamondbacks Coaching Staff
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<figcaption>ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 19: Relief pitcher Brad Ziegler #29 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws a pitch during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on August 19, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>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.</p> <p><span>Brad Ziegler</span> was swapped to the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> before the MLB trade deadline to bolster a bullpen that's been extremely good in the eighth and ninth inning (62-3 when leading after seven innings) but shaky in the seventh. A good portion of that is due to injuries, but the bottom line is Ziegler was brought in to fill a need for a reliable guy in the middle innings with a proven record of getting outs.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Ziegler didn't make a good early impression on his new team. He gave up nine hits, five walks and five runs in first nine appearances. Lately, however, things have started to turnaround and we are seeing the guy who's posted a career ERA of 2.47. </p>
<p>Ziegler has been perfect in last four appearances out of the pen. In each of those games he's come in with one out and at least one runner on base. None of his inherited scored.</p>
<p>The change, according to Ziegler, has been a combination of factors ranging from uncertainty about housing for his dog immediately after he was trade to a philosophical misunderstanding with his new coaching staff.</p>
<p>As we learned from manager Kirk Gibson back in spring training, holding runners is an emphasis for this team. For a player joining the club in the middle of the season that translated to quite change in routine.</p>
<p>"It was a lot different for me being told what to do in that respect," Ziegler said. "At the same time, I didn't want to come across as uncoachable so I did it but it was starting to play mentally with me a little bit. I'm trying to focus on this pitch. I've got two outs and runner on first and I want to throw this pitch. If I get the hitter out the runner on first doesn't matter and they're asking me to throw over four times and then slide step the plate."</p>
<p>In addition to getting his dog's (and his own) housing situation settled, Ziegler sat down with the coaching staff and discussed the problem. After looking at his good record holding runners, the staff agreed that Ziegler could treat their instruction as "guidance" that he was free to follow or ignore as he sees fit.</p>
<p>"More than anything it was a burden off shoulder mentally. I didn't have to worry about it when I was on the mound."</p>
<p><b>Other notes</b></p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">"From the time I've been here you see a passion, and intensity and a fire. They just want to go out and play hard and win. They play hard on every single pitch of every single game and it's fun to watch and it's fun to be a part of now. I felt like in a way the first couple of weeks I was here I was kind of watching." </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Brad Ziegler started a non-profit called <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pastimeforpatriots.org/">Pastime For Patriots. </a>The Diamondbacks agreed to sell the foundation discounted tickets which will be given to to service men and women and their families. Ziegler plans on raising money by auctioning gear on eBay. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">"I used to be a history buff when I was in school. The more I read about the wars it just made me realize that there's been so much sacrifice to get our country to this point. A lot of the sacrifice has been involved on the battlefield and a lot from the families at home...From the time I got called up to the big leagues I was looking for something that was the right way to give back."</span></li>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/8/31/2396879/brad-ziegler-arizona-diamondbacks-coaching-staff-kirk-gibsonSeth Pollack2011-08-31T12:36:17-07:002011-08-31T12:36:17-07:00Paul Goldschmidt Named USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> rookie call-up <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> has been having one heck of a good season thus far, and now has some hardware to prove it. USA Today released their choice as the 2011 Minor League Player of the year, and lo and behold, Mr. Goldschmidt was their pick. </p>
<p>The 23-year-old first baseman was leading all minor leaguers with 30 home runs and 94 RBI when the <a title="More news, photos about Arizona Diamondbacks" href="http://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Organizations/Sports+Leagues/MLB/Arizona+Diamondbacks">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> promoted him to the big leagues August 1 from the Class AA Mobile BayBears. Goldschmidt got the nod over other players like the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>' <span>Mike Trout</span> (.326 11 HR, 38 RBI), the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>' <span>Julio Teheran</span> (15-2 2.22 ERA 121 K) and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> Joe Wieland (13-3 1.79 ERA, 144 K); all having very good year's in their own right between the major and minor leagues. </p>
<p>Goldschmidt was a 49th round pick of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in the 2006 draft, and has been impressing scouts and coaches alike for a long time. Here's how his minor league hitting coach <span>Alan Zinter</span> puts it: </p>
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<p>"He's like a sponge in that he wants to soak up anything that can make him a better baseball player. He's doing things the right way. He's always looking for consistency and how he can work on the mental side of the game. He's learned how to handle his failures. He just keeps moving forward.</p>
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<p>via <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fsports%2Fbaseball%2Fnl%2Fdiamondbacks%2Fstory%2F2011-08-30%2FArizonas-Goldschmidt-named-top-minor-league-player%2F50197888%2F1&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Farizona.sbnation.com%2Farizona-diamondbacks%2F2011%2F8%2F31%2F2396333%2Fpaul-goldschmidt-named-usa-todays-minor-league-player-of-the-year" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">USAtoday.com</a></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/8/31/2396333/paul-goldschmidt-named-usa-todays-minor-league-player-of-the-yearErnie Pomin2011-08-30T22:02:56-07:002011-08-30T22:02:56-07:00D-backs Push Streak To Eight, Extend Division Lead
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<p>The <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>, after losing six straight games, have kicked things into high gear again, with pristine pitching and blazing hot batting. The D-backs pushed their win streak to eight with a 9-4 rout of the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Rockies</a> on Tuesday night. The victory also pushes their home winning streak to 11 games.</p>
<p>Recent call-up <span>Wade Miley</span> got his second win, while holding the Rockies to two runs over six innings pitched. It wasn’t always pretty, though. Miley allowed nine hits and a walk, but managed to sneak through.</p>
<p>After spending weeks trying but failing to generate runs, Arizona has been able to score in abundance during their home stand against National League West competition. On Tuesday, <span>Miguel Montero</span> and <span>Justin Upton</span> slugged homers, driving in three and two runs, respectively. <span>Gerardo Parra</span> added a two-run triple and nearly batted for the cycle, going 4-for-5 but missing a home run. <span>Aaron Hill</span> added a single in the sixth inning to score Justin Upton.</p>
<p>As has been the case throughout their winning streak, Arizona and its pitching staff once again stranded opponents’ base runners, this time leaving nine Rockies out to dry.</p>
<p>Arizona has now taken a six-game lead in the division — sizable, though they still have six head-to-head games against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a>, who are mired in a significant slump and have lost eight of their past 12.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/8/30/2395122/arizona-diamondbacks-vs-colorado-rockies-justin-upton-wade-mileyJustin Burning2011-08-30T10:01:10-07:002011-08-30T10:01:10-07:00Ryan Roberts: The Poster Child For The 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks
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<p>At this point in the season, it has been said a countless amount of times -- the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> are surprising everyone in baseball. With a five-game lead in the NL West with a month left before the playoffs, it has been quite a ride, especially since the team was not expect to contend this year at all. Some projections had them battling to stay out of the division cellar. </p>
<p>There is one player that essentially epitomizes the season that the Diamondbacks are having. That player is third baseman <span>Ryan Roberts</span>, who is having quite the year despite how it started back in spring training.</p>
<p>Roberts is on the verge of joining the 20-20 club. After his leadoff HR on Monday, he now has 17 homers and 16 stolen bases. He is batting .259 with a very respectable OPS of .793. He has played a career-high 121 games thus far. All of this comes from a guy who was not supposed to make the big league squad. </p>
<p>Roberts was caught in a numbers game in the infield. The team had signed veterans <span>Melvin Mora</span> and <span>Geoff Blum</span> to play third base after <span>Mark Reynolds</span> was traded. Roberts was impossible to get out in spring training, but the numbers were against him. He made the major league roster only because Blum got injured. </p>
<p>Roberts continued hitting when he got opportunities and Mora was ineffective and was eventually released. Blum returned only to get hurt again. As a result, Roberts has kept playing. When the trade deadline came around, many believed that the team would make a move to acquire a third baseman. It never happened. </p>
<p>At this point, much like the D-Backs have somehow found ways to win and succeed, Roberts has somehow managed to establish himself as the team's third baseman. </p>
<p>Is this what he pictured his year to be? "I can't say no or yes," he explains. "It started with making the team and then once I made the team it started with just trying to break into the lineup everyday."</p>
<p>He talks the way his manager Kirk Gibson handles things. Roberts isn't saying that he doubted his talents at all, but he is recognizing the need to, as they say in baseball, keep grinding as the year goes on. He acknowledges that he has "been fortunate to play a lot" and "blessed to get ABs."</p>
<p>Does he look at a milestone like reaching 20-20? "I look at it," he said. "You can't help but look at it."</p>
<p>As baseball milestones go, hopefully he can reach it and put that feather in his cap. It would be fitting in a year where a team like the Diamondbacks can, at least the way it is looking for now, make it to the postseason. </p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 16px;"><i>LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 30: Ryan Roberts #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers 6-4. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)</i></span></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/8/30/2392921/mlb-pennant-race-arizona-diamondbacks-ryan-robertsJess Root2011-08-30T07:17:10-07:002011-08-30T07:17:10-07:00Diamondbacks Attendance Falters During Crucial Home Stretch
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<p>I have to ask: what's it going to take for Phoenix citizens to actually go see a <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a> game during the work week? Not only is Arizona now five games up in the NL West pennant race, but they are offering $5 tickets in the upper deck for the next two games against the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Rockies</a>.</p>↵<p>Monday's game, in which the D-backs won 5-1, had a reported attendance of 19,478, which comes in around 40% capacity. Just last week, I foolishly claimed that <a target="_blank" href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/8/27/2388646/arizona-diamondbacks-attendance-booms-during-pennant-race">Arizona's attendance was booming</a> during their incredible run in the NL West.</p>↵<p>I know that we are not used to success as Arizona sports fans. I am aware that every game is broadcast on FS Arizona, and watching the game at home is a lot more cost effective than trudging out to the stadium.</p>↵<p>But guess what? The light rail is pretty cheap and has good park and ride locations. Food prices are ridiculously reasonable ($1.50 for a hot dog? $4 for a beer?) and like I said before, upper deck tickets are way below market value.</p>↵<p>Most towns would sell out their baseball stadium during this playoff push, but not Phoenix.</p>↵<p>Fortunately, not all is lost!</p>↵<p>We can help change our image as a bad sports city if we support our boys of summer as they look to win the NL West for the first time since 2007. Head on out to Chase Field on Tuesday and Wednesday as they look to extend their winning streak to eight. The time has come to get out and cheer for the D-backs!</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/8/30/2392858/diamondbacks-rockies-attendance-home-series-pennant-raceCory Williams2011-08-29T21:46:13-07:002011-08-29T21:46:13-07:00Diamondbacks Survive Ninth-Inning Scare, Prevail 5-1 Over Rockies
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> have won their seventh straight game as they survived the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> in the ninth inning and emerged 5-1 victors on Monday night. The Diamondbacks lead the best-of-three series 1-0.</p>
<p>Arizona jumped out to an early lead when <span>Ryan Roberts</span> homered in the first inning to give the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead. The rest of the Diamondbacks offense came in the sixth inning when <span>Miguel Montero</span>, <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span>, <span>John McDonald</span> and <span>Daniel Hudson</span> all recorded hits for runs. The inning resulted in five hits total for four runs.</p>
<p>Daniel Hudson (14-9) was great all night, giving up just three hits and striking out eight batters over seven innings. The game, however, became uneasily close in the ninth inning when the Rockies filled up the bases. <span>Bryan Shaw</span> was replaced by <span>Joe Paterson</span>, who in turn was later replaced by <span>J.J. Putz</span>. The Rockies did score one run, but Putz came up big and sealed the deal by getting the Diamondbacks' final two outs.</p>
<p>The Diamondbacks are now 76-59 and are four games up on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> in the NL West. Arizona have been extremely streaky over their past 20 games, sandwiching two seven-game winning streaks between a six-game losing streak. Let's hope that the Diamondbacks can keep their positive momentum going and stretch this current streak even longer.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/8/29/2392832/arizona-diamondbacks-colorado-rockies-ninth-inning-drama-scareNikil Selvam