D-backs GM Towers says wins have brought confidence
Jul 25, 2012, 10:29 PM | Updated: Jul 26, 2012, 12:06 am
Now this is more like it.
After winning seven of their last eight games and pulling
within six games of leading the NL West, the Diamondbacks
are looking like their old victorious selves in a season
abundant with lackluster performances and unfulfilled
expectations.
Joining Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf on Wednesday,
D-backs General Manager Kevin Towers said he believes the
key to the winning streak is the starting pitching.
“Right now, our starting pitching is clicking and they’re
pitching deeper in games,” said Towers. “Guys are getting
the rest they need in the bullpen.
“Games we were losing, we were getting into trouble in the
6th [inning] and your relievers have to be out there every
day and overexposed. We were having a hard time bridging
the gap getting to Daniel in the 8th and J.J. [Putz] in
the 9th.”
Towers also attributes the Diamondbacks’ comeback to their
own ballpark, as the team has won their last eight games
inside Chase Field.
“When we get back home, I don’t know if its batter’s eye
or what, but we swing the bats well,” he said. “We put up
a lot of crooked numbers, a lot of home runs and that’s
usually D-backs baseball.”
And speaking of comebacks, Justin Upton seems like he’s
back to his hitting ways. The outfielder has netted six
singles, two doubles, a triple and his 99th-career home
run in his last 25 at bats. This begs the question: is
Upton out of his funk?
“To me, he looks more comfortable,” said Towers. “He’s
swung the bat real well the last couple weeks, hitting the
ball, harder contact. I don’t know if it’s being in the 5
or 6 hole, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen.”
