Chris Young is off to Anaheim for the All-Star game. AP photo
As we enter the week of the 2010 All-Star Game, the Arizona Diamondbacks have played a first half of a season that they would like to forget. In the past week, Kirk Gibson, who was named the interim team manager, appears to be working out some kinks with the team at the present time. In his debut as manager, the D-backs played some pretty aggressive baseball against the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers, as they beat the team convincingly last Friday night. With the final score 12 to 5, the D-backs ripped up the base paths and were able to knock some runners in by playing a little “small ball.”
In the following game against the Dodgers, Los Angeles returned the favor, defeating the D-backs 14 to 1 to begin the Diamondbacks’ five-game losing skid. As the team continues to struggle, new player names begin to appear on the “chopping block” as the talented team looks to improve its chemistry. The latest rumor has Dan Haren being used as a bargaining tool to receive some more talent. In order for anything to happen there, the D-backs would need to seek a ace-caliber pitcher in return for their ace. Catcher Chris Snyder is being looked at as well, as rumors continue to fly before the All-Star break.
Chris Young is the only D-back picked for the All-Star game, held this season in Anaheim, CA, home of the Angels. The annual home run derby, sponsored by State Farm, will be held on Monday and the game on Tuesday. The D-backs will have some time off to recalibrate the team for the second half of the season.
This weekend, the D-backs continue a four-game series against the Florida Marlins after winning the first game of the series. Saturday night’s game will feature a Greg Schulte bobblehead giveaway to commemorate the KTAR 620 announcer’s 2,000th D-backs broadcast. The promotion will be given to the first 15,000 fans in attendance. In the final game of the home stand and the final game before the All-Star break, the D-backs will be giving away Justin Upton T-shirts to the first 5,000 kids, ages 12 and younger.
Previous week’s games
07/02 — D-backs 12, Dodgers 5
07/03 — Dodgers 14, D-backs 1
07/04 — Dodgers 3, D-backs 1
07/05 — Cubs 9, D-backs 4
07/06 — Cubs 6, D-backs 4
07/07 — Cubs 8, D-backs 3
07/08 — D-backs 10, Marlins 4
This week’s games
07/09 — Marlins @ D-backs, 6:40 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
07/10 — Marlins @ D-backs, 5:10 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
07/11 — Marlins @ D-backs, 1:10 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona
07/12 — 2010 Home Run Derby, 5 p.m., ESPN
07/13 — NL @ AL, 2010 All-Star Game, 5 p.m., FOX
