Looking Ahead: To The Slugging Snakes

The Diamondbacks outsmarted the entire baseball world when they brought in Kelly Johnson to play second base. Dude has 7 HRs already and is hitting .322 at the top of their order, and he really could have been had by anybody for next to nothing after a brutal 2009 in Atlanta. The D-Backs had the foresight to make the move knowing a bounce back was very likely.

Nice job by them.

Of course I don't think they saw this type of bounce back (he's already halfway to career high in HR) but it was a low-risk/high-reward move that's paying off.

If only they could have made a signing in the bullpen that made the same impact for them.

Jason Hammel vs. Dan Haren

Hammel has now been matched with Mat Latos, Derek Lowe, John Lannan and Dan Haren. Not always fun being the 5th starter, eh?

There are two keys to this game. For Hammel, avoid the one disaster inning. Offensively, get to Haren early or at least work the pitch count so he's out by 7th inning. Those are your best chances to win. Another might be to hope Justin Upton either sits out or isn't still 100% after fouling a ball off his leg yesterday.

My Lineup Card

RF Gonzalez
CF Fowler
1B Helton
SS Tulowitzki
LF Smith
C Olivo
3B Stewart
2B Barmes
P Hammel

Simulation

Rockies 8, Diamondbacks 7

Trailing 7-5 in the 9th, Colorado loaded the bases on Arizona's Chad Qualls with no outs. Todd Helton then stepped in and pulled one into the right field corner for a walk-off, bases clearing double.

Justin Upton had hit a 3-run HR off Rafael Betancourt in the 8th to give Arizona their lead. He was 3-for-4 with 4 RBI on the day.

Helton finished the day at 3-for-5 with 4 RBI. Dexter Fowler was 4-for-5 (all singles) with a SB and 3 R.

Haren: 6 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, BB, K
Hammel: 5 2/3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 6 H, 5 BB, 3 K

Matt Daley gets the W.