D-backs have exorcised home demons

Back in May,the Arizona Diamondbacks were floundering,
both on the road and at the normally friendly confines of Chase
Field.

The Diamondbacks’ success at home in 2011 (third-best home
record in the National League) helped them to a NL West
title, so enduring a stretch where they went 10-15 at
Chase through May was a bit alarming.

But, it’s safe to say that Kirk Gibson’s team is once
again comfortable playing in downtown Phoenix.

Arizona finished up their June home schedule with a
sterling 10-2 mark following a weekend sweep of the
Chicago Cubs.

And since the calendar flipped 25 days ago, the D-backs’
offense is absolutely killing the baseball. During the 12
home games in June, Arizona batted .333 (141-for-423), hit
a blistering .347 (40-for-115) with runners in scoring
position and clubbed 22 home runs.

Their offensive onslaught during the most recent homestand
against the Mariners and Cubs featured 51 runs, 14 home
runs, a .342 team batting average and a .411 clip of
hitting with runners in scoring position.

The Diamondbacks themselves don’t seem to be too surprised
by the home turnaround.

“That’s what we thought would happen and we’re finally
doing it now. Hopefully, it keeps going on,” said
outfielder Jason Kubel, whose had his fingerprints all
over this offensive turnaround.

In June, Kubel is hitting .400 (18-for-45) with five home
runs and 19 RBI at home.

Kubel and his mates will try to keep the bats hot as the
embark on a 6-game road trip that takes them to Atlanta
and Milwaukee.

Follow @Vincemarotta