Arizona Diamondbacks

D-backs only allow one run, but fall 1-0

The Arizona Diamondbacks ran into the young Cincinnati Reds phenom Johnny Cueto tonight and he allowed only one hit in six shut-out innings despite walking four. Jon Garland matched Cueto through five innings before allowing one run to score in the bottom of the sixth.

In the 6th inning Reds centerfielder Chris Dickerson singled to center and would move to second on a ground out. Dickerson would then score off a Joey Votto single to left field which gave the Reds a 1-0 lead. Cueto left the game after the first with a 1-0 and the Reds bullpen would allow only one more more hit over the next three innings.

The Diamondbacks only had one runner advance beyond second base all night in the 7th inning when Parra would reach third base with only one out, but the team was unable to get him home.

The Diamondbacks will send Doug Davis to the mound in tomorrow nights rubber match against the Reds.

Haren continues dominance with win over Reds

Dan Haren continued to make his case to start the All-Star game for the National League with a 7 inning four hit one run outing where he struck out nine and walked only one.

The Diamondbacks got on the board in the third and gave Haren a lead he would never relinquish. Haren started the top of the third with a double bout would later end up getting thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice. With two out in the inning Justin Upton would single and on a throwing error move to second and Stephen Drew moved to third. Mark Reynolds would knock in both Drew and Upton with a single and later score on a Gerardo Parro hit which gave the D-backs a 3-0 lead.

In the 6th inning the D-backs would extend the lead on back to back homers by Miguel Montero and Dan Haren. Montero hit a two run dinger and was then followed by Haren who hit his first solo shot. Montero went 3-for-4 on the night and Haren was 2-for-2.

Jon Rauch continued to show his recent dominance with a perfect 2/3 of an inning.

After battling back behind the bats of Reynolds and Upton D-backs falter in 12

The Arizona Diamondbacks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after Justin Upton reached base on a fielders choice and then stole second base. On a passed ball Upton moved to third base, but Upton could have just stayed on first as Mark Reynolds homed with two outs.

The Rangers came back in the top of the third against Jon Garland. After the first two batters reached base Scott Feldman sacrificed both runner over to second and third.  Ian Kinsler then walked and loading the bases with one out. Garland would allow three runs to score before being able to get out of the inning. Garland would allow two more runs in the fifth and would have another earned run credited to him in the seventh and left the game trailing 6-3.

Justin Upton scored in the sixth inning and Tony Clark hit his third homer of the season in the seventh bringing the D-backs to within two after seven innings.  In the bottom of the eight inning Mark Reynolds and Upton would team up again and show why they are quickly becoming one of the most feared 3-4 combinations in the game. With Upton on Reynolds hit his second second dinger of the game and tying the score. Mark Reynolds came within a few feet of having his first three-home game of his career in the 10th inning with a rocket down the left field line that hooked foul.

Jon Rauch came in to start the 11th and while I have been a critic this year, Rauch has done a great job lately. With one out Rauch walked Omar Vizquel then on a wild pitch and a throwing error by catcher Miguel Montero, Vizquel moved to third. The Rangers best hitter Michael Young came to the plate and ripped a ball into left where Upton made a spectacular shoe string catch and fired the ball home preventing Visqual from scoring and keeping the score tied at 6.

In the top of the 12th the Rangers would jump all over the D-backs. With Esmerling Vasquez replacing Rauch Nelson Cruz doubled and with two out Chris Davis hit his 14th homer of the year giving the Rangers a 8-6 lead. David Murphy would follow with a solo shot and the Rangers jumped out to a 9-6 lead.

In the bottom of the 12th Stephen Drew lead off with a single and Justin Upton followed with a walk bringing the tying run to the plate. Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra were unable to do anything and Miguel Montero hit a blooper to center and made it a 9-8 game. Brian Roberts was unable to deliver and grounded to short and ending the threat.

Eric Byrnes was hit by a pitch and broke his left hand is out for 6-8 weeks.

Baseball Feature

Devils fall to top seed Texas

The ASU Sundevils came out to the game against Texas in their retro uniforms from 1981 when they last won the College World Series, but were unable to have the same success tonight. ASU jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after three innings and with their ace Mike Leake on the mound it looked like the Devils were getting ready to move one step closer to an appearance in the CWS finals. [Read more...]

Arizona Fall League

Fox Sports Fantasy Magazine

Fox Sports, in cooperation with scout.com has released their 2009 fantasy baseball league guide. As proud contributors to the magazine we highly recommend picking up a copy for an in-depth analysis of all of the major league teams. Look for our photos from the 2008 Arizona Fall League which can be found in the prospects section of the publication. The guide has a wonderful section on the top prospects, which we are excited to be a part of. [Read more...]

Cactus League

Cubs end spring with a win over Tribe

The Chicago Cubs ended their spring in Arizona with style. Shortstop Andres Blanco ended the spring with his ninth RBI in a walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th off Cleveland Indians pitcher  Steven Wright.  Cubs starter Ryan Dempster went four innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out seven and not walking any Indians. Alfonso Soriano hit his fifth homer of the spring in the first inning off Indians starter Anthony Reyes. The Cubs ended the spring with a 18-16 record while the Indians were 11-19.