The news of the week for the Arizona Diamondbacks has to be the shake up in the management ranks of the team. Before hitting D-backs.com, there were reports in USA Today of moves being made in the upper management and the team management late Thursday. An unconfirmed source informed the media that manager A.J. Hinch and General Manager Josh Byrnes had both been dismissed. Another source stated that Byrnes refused to let Hinch go and was later shown the door as well.
Both Josh Byrnes and A.J. Hinch were fired Thursday as the D-backs try to get back on track.
Hinch’s short stint as the D-backs manager was put to an abrupt halt as a result of the team’s continued struggles. Team CEO Derrick Hall hinted earlier last month that there would be more changes to come. In what has been the biggest team move for the season, bench coach Kirk Gibson will perform as the interim manager and Jerry Dipoto will assume the former role of Byrnes.
The D-backs are currently in last place in the National League West, but do not sport the worst record in the Major Leagues. The team has won four of their last 10, and is 13 games back of the West-leading Padres. Last week, the Diamondbacks took the series against the Tampa Bay Rays, which included a D-backs milestone. Pitcher Edwin Jackson threw the second no-hitter in Diamondbacks history, as he earned the win with a total of 149 pitches. Jackson’s no-hitter was the fourth of the season, and Arizona earned a rare reason to celebrate during these rough times.
Following the series in Tampa, the D-backs traveled to St. Louis, where they were able to sneak in a win against the Cardinals in the final game of the series. After being shut out in game two of the series, rookie pitcher Barry Enright earned his first victory as a Diamondback. Enright pitched for five innings, striking out five batters in the win against the Cardinals.
The D-backs return home for the 4th of July weekend as they face the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game weekend series. The Diamondbacks will be hosting an All-American weekend, as the Friday fireworks will be moved to Saturday night’s game and Sunday’s game will include a tribute to the military. Following the Dodgers, the D-backs will face the Cubs for a three-game series beginning Monday. Starting Thursday, the usual day off for the team, the D-backs will remain at home, hosting the Florida Marlins.
Previous week’s games
06/25 – D-backs 1, Rays 0
06/26 – Rays 5, D-backs 3
06/27 – D-backs 2, Rays 1
06/28 – Cardinals 6, D-backs 5
06/29 – Cardinals 8, D-backs 0
06/30 – D-backs 4, Cardinals 2
This week’s games
07/02 – Dodgers @ D-backs, 6:40 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
07/03 – Dodgers @ D-backs, 6:40 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
07/04 – Dodgers @ D-backs, 1:10 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
07/05 – Cubs @ D-backs, 1:10 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
07/06 – Cubs @ D-backs, 6:40 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
07/07 – Cubs @ D-backs, 6:40 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
07/08 – Marlins @ D-backs, 6:40 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
