With the Diamondbacks pretty much out of the playoff picture, they have the rest of the season to play the spoiler role. As they did last year, the D-backs are looking to make life difficult for some of the National League playoff contenders. The Diamondbacks face both the Rockies and the Giants in two more series as they hope to make the running for the NL West more interesting for both teams. Additionally, the D-backs have the opportunity to put a skid on the Reds’ winning ways in a couple of weeks.
Brandon Allen's grand slam against the Padres was the highlight of the week.
This past week was a hot one for the D-backs, as the temperatures cooled down in Phoenix (OK, slightly cooled down). The team played solid baseball, winning five of their last six against some pretty demanding opponents. In the first series against the Giants, San Francisco was at risk of being swept at home by the Snakes, who put up some excellent offensive numbers. The highlight of that series was Barry Enright throwing a shutout against the Giants’ perennial Cy Young award winner, Tim Lincecum. After blanking the Giants, the D-backs drove in 11 runs the following day before losing a close one at the end of the series.
Arizona returned home to face the National League West-leading San Diego Padres in what promised to be a challenging series. Apparently the D-backs did not get the memo, as they made quick work of the Padres by successfully sweeping them in the three-game series. The most significant contribution of the series was that of Brandon Allen, who was called up from the minors again for the end of this season, and helped the Diamondbacks complete a stellar come-from-behind victory. Allen hit his first grand slam to seal the Padres’ fate.
In addition to the winning stint, there was plenty going on off the field, when Justin Upton’s shoulder became a concern earlier this week. The D-backs called up two left-handed pitchers, Mike Hampton and Zach Kroenke, from Triple-A Reno. Rookie pitcher Daniel Hudson won co-honors for the Rookie of the Month for his pitching prowess. (Hudson arrived in Arizona as a result of the Edwin Jackson trade earlier this season.) Additionally, a rehabilitation update was given for Brandon Webb, whose future with the team is questionable as his contract nears its end this season. There is a lot going on for the Diamondbacks, who already seem to be retooling for the 2011 season.
This week, the D-backs will face the Astros and the Giants at home. This weekend’s promotions include a Miguel Montero bobble head giveaway to the first 15,000 fans on Saturday against the Astros and a Mark Reynolds growth chart that will be given to the first 5,000 kids ages 12 and under. Finally, on Wednesday against the Giants, it will be Roberto Clemente recognition day as the D-backs wrap up their home stand.
| Last week’s games | |||
| Fri, 8/27 | at Giants | W 6-0 | |
| Sat, 8/28 | at Giants | W 11-3 | |
| Sun, 8/29 | at Giants | L 7-9 | |
| Mon, 8/30 | Padres | W 7-2 | |
| Tue, 8/31 | Padres | W 7-4 | |
| Wed, 9/1 | Padres | W 5-2 | |
| This week’s games | |||
| Fri, 9/3 | Astros | 6:40 p.m. | Fox Sports Arizona |
| Sat, 9/4 | Astros | 5:10 p.m. | MLB.TV |
| Sun, 9/5 | Astros | 1:10 p.m. | Fox Sports Arizona |
| Mon, 9/6 | Giants | 1:10 p.m. | Fox Sports Arizona |
| Tue, 9/7 | Giants | 6:40 p.m. | Fox Sports Arizona |
| Wed, 9/8 | Giants | 6:40 p.m. | Fox Sports Arizona |
