J.J. Putz began the 2011 baseball season with two perfect months. The closer was 16 for 16 in save opportunities in April and May and did not blow a save until June 1. In June, Putz is just five for nine in save opportunities and many Diamondbacks fans are beginning to wonder what has happened […]
Since their World Series victory almost a decade ago the Arizona Diamondbacks have been known as much for their financial constraints as their ability to win on the field. Big spending, deferred payments and a lull in attendance handcuffed the franchise for years. With the team in the thick of National League West race people […]
Wily Mo Pena is quickly turning into a cult hero in the Valley. He’s one of those guys who fans love because he’s quirky, has an interesting back story and is in the midst of a hot streak. But why is Wily crushing balls like college kids crush empty cans? His secret might surprise you […]
The Diamondbacks, seeking help for a recently-beleaguered bullpen, called up relievers Yhency Brazoban and Alberto Castillo Tuesday. The D-backs optioned Esmerling Vasquez and Bryan Shaw to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. Brazoban, 30-year-old veteran, joined the D-backs after pitching in parts of five Major League seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had a […]
When D-backs manager Kirk Gibson says, “We have to develop a bullpen,” he isn’t saying anything we don’t already know. While he said those words to the media Monday afternoon, could they have been directed to GM Kevin Towers? That’s the theory Sports 620 KTAR’s Paul Calvisi presented on Sports Interactive Tuesday, saying it could […]
Is the Arizona Diamondbacks’ bullpen a victim of its own success this season or rather of its lack of success last year? Sports 620 KTAR’s Ron Wolfley thinks it’s a combination of both. “Look, the Arizona Diamondbacks coming into the season the expectation was their bullpen was a huge question mark,” he said on Doug […]
Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz has converted 21 of 24 save opportunities on the season, giving the team a dominant pitcher to finish off games. Sporting an ERA of 2.65, Putz has struck out 32 hitters in 34 innings of work, giving up just 11 runs (10 earned) this season. Need to hold a lead? He’s […]
The Arizona Diamondbacks won 65 games last season. They’ve won 43 this season. And there’s still 82 games left to play. Kirk Gibson, an improved bullpen, fewer strikeouts and better starting pitching are all factors, but one thing that cannot be overlooked is improved team chemistry. “Everybody didn’t click like they do now, for some […]
Last night the Arizona Diamondbacks played in front of a crowd of 25,726 fans. The question is, was it actually a home field advantage? That’s what starting pitcher Daniel Hudson was wondering as he watched his team take on the Cleveland Indians at Chase Field and he expressed his concern via Twitter after it. Were […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for June 27, 2011: Indians 5, Diamondbacks 4 The Good: The D-backs eighth inning symbolized their entire season. Going into the inning, the D-backs once again trailed by one run late […]
The Diamondbacks bullpen, a rock earlier in the season, has faltered as of late. After blowing a lead Sunday in Detroit, manager Kirk Gibson talked about how the team can’t keep relying on David Hernandez and J.J. Putz. Putz, especially, was unavailable to pitch Sunday. “It’s important that everybody can play in August and September,” […]
For a while it seemed as though the disgrace better known as the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen was a thing of the past. Joe Paterson, Micah Owings, David Heranndez and J.J. Putz were rolling, stifling hitters and locking down late leads. The month of June has brought a few hiccups, though, the most recent of which […]
Kevin Towers knows the Diamondbacks bullpen needs a little help, and he’s constantly searching for extra arms. According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com the Diamondbacks GM would love to acquire one of his old relievers from San Diego. In a perfect world, Towers would trade for one of his old Padres’ relievers, right-hander Mike Adams, […]
As the Diamondbacks continue to challenge for the National League West crown, the recognition for Kirk Gibson continues to come. Gibson has been mentioned as a Manager of the Year candidate by several media outlets and Yahoo Sports can now be added to the list. Kirk Gibson didn’t have the Arizona Diamondbacks on the cusp […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for June 25, 2011: Tigers 6, Diamondbacks 0 The Good: The D-backs did manage to threaten in the eighth inning, though nothing came of it. After a Miranda walk and a […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for June 24, 2011: Diamondbacks 7, Tigers 6 The Good: Wily Mo Pena hit his second home run in his first week since being recalled from the team and it was […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for June 23, 2011: Diamondbacks 5, Royals 3 The Good: Homeruns by Miguel Montero in the second and Juan Miranda in the fourth pushed the D-backs to a win in Kansas […]
Arizona Diamondbacks prospects Tyler Skaggs and Paul Goldschmidt have been named to the MLB All-Star Futures Game at Chase Field on July 10. The Futures Game is an annual part of All-Star week that consists of the best minor league prospects from the United States playing an exhibition game against the best prospects from around […]
Fans like winners. No one likes to spend money to support and watch a losing team, but as the Diamondbacks continue to win, attendance at Chase Field continues to grow. “Game attendance closely correlates with winning, and though the Diamondbacks are doing just that, it usually takes a while for the fans’ psyche to catch […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for June 22, 2011: Diamondbacks 3, Royals 2 The Good: The fifth inning for the Diamondbacks ended up being all they needed. They were able to score three runs on four […]
As Diamondbacks fans know all too well, a bad bullpen can derail a season before it really even begins. Conversely, a good bullpen can not only help a team win games, but carry a squad through a season. That fact is not lost on D-backs manager Kirk Gibson, who joined Sports 620 KTAR’s Gambo and […]
When Kevin Towers was hired as the general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks he had two goals in mind: get the team to play .500 or better baseball and develop a strong farm system. So far, so good. While many outside the organization are surprised to see the D-backs six games over .500, Towers thought […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for June 18, 2011: Diamondbacks 7, Royals 2 The Good: The D-backs hitters put together a string of runs over four-innings that built them to a win and also looked to […]
Just a half-game out of first in the NL West, the Arizona Diamondbacks are likely to be more buyer than seller at this year’s MLB trade deadline. That concept concerns Sports 620 KTAR’s Mark Asher. “As of right now, what I believe, I’m telling you right now I’m not adding a player that would cost […]
Ready for Interleague Play, the Arizona Diamondbacks called up Wily Mo Pena from Triple-A Reno. He is expected to be the the team’s designated hitter. The 29-year-old Pena was hitting .363 with 21 home runs and 63 RBI in 63 games for the Aces, leading the Pacific Coast League in home runs and slugging percentage […]
If the Arizona Diamondbacks are to make a run in the National League West they’ll first have to get through the AL Central and a slew of road games. As Interleague Play continues the Diamondbacks hit the road to take on the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers before returning home to battle the Cleveland […]
Despite losing three of their past four series and four of the last six games, the Arizona Diamondbacks are only a half-game out of first place. Arizona is in contention this year and will find themselves in a buyers roll at the trade deadline rather than the role of sellers. The Diamondbacks are in need […]
To say Justin Upton had a pretty good week would be an understatement. The D-backs’ right fielder collected 16 hits (good for a .552 batting average), seven RBI and one walk-off homer during the seven day stretch, and on Monday he added a National League Player of the Week honor as well. In all Upton […]
It is pretty apparent, at this point in the season, that the Arizona Diamondbacks are a pretty good baseball team. Just a half-game behind the San Francisco Giants, the D-backs can conceivably win the NL West — if they make some additions. “It’s becoming more and more apparent that the Diamondbacks, they need a bat, […]
With the Arizona Diamondbacks packing their bags and heading on a six-game road trip to American League ballparks they’ll need a designated hitter. (You know the position that Crash Davis and baseball traditionalists lament about?) On Saturday the club cut infielder Sean Burroughs to make room for a player from the minor leagues who could […]
