The Arizona Diamondbacks have had themselves another week of struggles, as they were hot and cold on the road before returning home to face a tough National League West rival the San Francisco Giants. The first game of the past week was a close one, as the D-backs dropped the game by one run. In the second game of the series against the Braves, the D-backs showed their power as they muscled 11 runs against Atlanta. The Braves returned the favor the following day before the D-backs headed to Florida for a two-game series against the Marlins.
Arizona split the series in Florida before returning home to face San Francisco. The Giants, who are on top of the National League West, looked to be a challenge as the D-backs continued to have trouble with their bullpen. In the first game of the two-game series, Ian Kennedy pitched masterfully as he earned his third victory of the season. On Thursday Tim Lincecum faced the D-backs, and they were able to deliver five runs off of the two-time Cy Young award winner. Despite the performance by Lincecum, he got the loss, as the D-backs came from behind to earn the victory.
The win against the Giants could prove to be a pivotal victory for the team as they get ready for interleague play. The first game of the two-game series was a slugfest that highlighted the power of the D-backs with multiple homers in the game. The close game on Thursday showed that, despite the woes of the bullpen, the offense is up to the challenge and able to manufacture timely runs.
Thursday’s game included Mark Reynolds hitting his 100th career home run, putting him in the top three all-time D-backs home run leaders (already). Reynolds has a long way to catch Luis Gonzalez, but he is in some great company. Thursday’s game also included some heads-up base running by Conor Jackson, as he crossed the plate with the game-winning run on a wild pitch by San Francisco.
As interleague play kicks off, Arizona will face Toronto at home for a three-game series. As always, Friday night is fireworks night at Chase Field directly following the game. Saturday is yard gnome giveaway day, if any of you fans are looking to spruce up your yard (or your workspace). Finally, on Sunday, the Diamondbacks will be giving the first 5,000 kids 12 and younger a plastic bat and ball set as they enter the game.
The Diamondbacks then hit the road again as they head to the Rockies to face, well, the Rockies. The D-backs look to carry their momentum as they prepare for their next week of baseball.
Last week’s games
05/14 — Braves 6, D-backs 5
05/15 — D-backs 11, Braves 1
05/16 — Braves 13, D-backs 1
05/17 — D-backs 5, Marlins 1
05/18 — Marlins 8, D-backs 0
05/19 — D-backs 13, Giants 1
05/20 — D-backs 8, Giants 7
This week’s games
05/21 — Blue Jays @ D-backs, 6:40 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
05/22 — Blue Jays @ D-backs, 5:10 p.m., MLB.TV
05/23 — Blue Jays @ D-backs, 1:10 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
05/25 — D-backs @ Rockies, 5:40 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
05/26 — D-backs @ Rockies, 5:40 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
05/27 — D-backs @ Rockies, 12:10 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
