Oh I’m sorry, were those sentences hard to read? I just wanted to write with the same effort the D-Backs have been playing with this season. As you can imagine it didn’t turn out too well. The last article I wrote was about two weeks ago and it was entitled “What’s Left to Say?“. I wasn’t sure how else to write about this 2009 D-Backs season. I, like a lot of D-Backs writers on the internet , have been struggling to come up with anything new to say in a season that has been the same story over and over again. I haven’t even managed to watch many games lately, partly because of my vacation and partly because they have become hard to watch. After a long day of work do you want to come home and watch the D-Backs or a rerun of Seinfeld? The latter would surely be more entertaining. When fans are debating whether they should watch the Bachelorette or the D-Backs game, what does that say about the 2009 season?

Is this 2009 season worse than 2004? That 2004 team consisted of over the hill veterans and young players that never should have played in the majors. The dearth of minor league talent led to a team that was woefully unprepared to play competitive baseball. The 2009 team seems to have talent, three probable all-stars, yet they are losing games at a clip similar to the 2004 team. What is the difference? Effort. The effort on this 2009 team is awful. It is a complete embarrassment to the fans of this team. It is hard to swallow when players like Felipe Lopez, Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton play with a complete lack of focus on the defensive end then refuse to talk to the media or, in Upton’s case, mock the fans. Justin Upton rightly apologized for his fake toss of a baseball into the stands but it shouldn’t excuse what he did. The fans have had to put up with a ridiculous amount of crap this year, there is no excuse for him to mock the fans. Upton should just be happy they are there. Perhaps we should cut him some slack because he is 21, but it was still an awful move on his part. As for other players refusing to talk to the media after their bad games, they need to suck it up and talk to the media. It is not like the Arizona media is a tough media, like New York. It is not like they are looking for any story to jump on and report negatively. If players are so unfocused they are blowing routine defensive plays and then ducking the media it displays a complete lack of class and courage on their part.

No one on this team is being held accountable. AJ Hinch isn’t the sole problem but he sure isn’t the solution. His credibility in the clubhouse has to be called into question, again. He has held multiple team meetings that have had no lasting effect. Players are still making stupid plays, the bullpen is still blowing leads and the hitters are still coming up empty. The frustration level is at an all time high. I, like most fans, would like to know why the D-Backs are playing as bad as they are but no one will talk to the media.

Somewhere along the road this became a team of losers. There is no clubhouse leadership. Tony Clark doesn’t play enough or effectively to demand a leadership role anymore. Eric Byrnes is still leading by example, that example being piss poor defense and a low batting average. There is no veteran player on this team to whip anyone in gear. Even the manager is a rookie! It is clear the D-Backs sorely miss the leadership and bat of Orlando Hudson. His replacement, Felipe Lopez, may have a good batting average but he can’t get traded from this team fast enough. This 2009 D-Backs team sorely needs players like Orlando Hudson and coaches like Bob Melvin to instill some leadership. They would have even benefited greatly from signing Luis Gonzalez this off-season for his clubhouse effect, and his bat would probably be light years better than most of the players on this team.

I don’t know if this 2009 team will lose 110 games like that 2004 team. At least that 2004 team had the excuse of being over-matched. This 2009 team has players that have succeeded before, they just completely lack the effort or wherewithal to keep competing. The D-Backs hit rock bottom in 2004 and are right back there in 2009, only this time they gave their in-over-his-head interim manager a three year deal. There is no light at the end of the tunnel, right now it’s all dark.

Arizona jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Gerardo Parra reached base then stole second. Parra moved to third base on a ground out and with two outs Chad Tracy delivered a hit to left field and scored Parra. Mark Reynolds would add another run in the sixth inning with his 22nd homer of the year. On the day Arizona would have only four hits off the Reds staff.

Leading by a 2-1 score in the eight inning Arizona brought in reliever Chad Qualls with 2 outs and 2 men on and Qualls delivered with a big out. In the 9th Qualls did not have as much luck and scored one run to tie it up. In the 10th inning the Reds would get to Clay Zavada and score the winning run.

The Diamondbacks now head to Colorado for a weekend series against the Rockies.

Mark Reynolds' frustration after being struck out by David Weathers on Wednesday night summed up the evening for the Diamondbacks in a 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo: Al Behrman/AP)

The Diamondbacks managed only 2 hits, and were shut out for the 6th time this season. Lost in the loss was a solid effort from D-Backs’ starter Jon Garland, who allowed only 6 hits and 1 run in 6 innings of work. Garland lowered his road ERA to 2.47 on Wednesday, but his record fell to 4-8.

Today, the Diamondbacks send lefty Doug Davis (3-8, 3.28 ERA) to the mound in hopes of clinching the rubber game of this 3-game series. He’ll be faced by Cincinnati right-hander Aaron Harang (5-8, 3.95 ERA).

Davis, who has been the subject of recent trade rumors, is 6-3 lifetime vs. the Reds.

Here are the starting lineups for this morning’s matchup…

Arizona Diamondbacks (31-47)


1. 2 Felipe Lopez - 2B
2. 6 Stephen Drew - SS
3. 10 Justin Upton - RF
4. 27 Mark Reynolds - 3B
5. 9 Gerardo Parra - CF
6. 26 Miguel Montero - C
7. 18 Chad Tracy - 1B
8. 28 Alex Romero - LF
9. 49 Doug Davis -P

Cincinnati Reds (38-38)


1. 3 Willy Taveras - CF
2. 15 Jerry Hairston - 3B
3. 19 Joey Votto - 1B
4. 4 Brandon Phillips - 2B
5. 31 Jonny Gomes - LF
6. 29 Ryan Hanigan - C
7. 21 Chris Dickerson - RF
8. 7 Paul Janish - SS
9. 38 Aaron Harang - P

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.

Joey Votto and the Reds will try to bounce back against Jon Garland and the Diamondbacks tonight at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. (Photo : Jeff Swinger/Cincinnati Enquirer)

Series wins have been hard to come by for the Snakes this season. Arizona has played 25 series so far this season, and has won only 5, while dropping 15 and splitting 5.

Jon Garland takes the mound tonight for the D-Backs. Garland has been disappointing this year, going 4-7 to this point. But he’s been a lot more effective away from Chase Field in 2009. Garland’s ERA at home is 7.51, but on the road is a sterling 2.60. He’ll be faced by Cincinnati ace Johnny Cueto, who is 7-4 with a 2.86 ERA.

Here are tonight’s starting lineups…

Arizona Diamondbacks (31-46)


1. 2 Felipe Lopez - 2B
2. 6 Stephen Drew - SS
3. 10 Justin Upton - RF
4. 27 Mark Reynolds - 3B
5. 9 Gerardo Parra - LF
6. 24 Chris Young - CF
7. 26 Miguel Montero - C
8. 18 Chad Tracy - 1B
9. 52 Jon Garland - P

Cincinnati Reds (37-38)


1. 21 Chris Dickerson - CF
2. 15 Jerry Hairston - SS
3. 19 Joey Votto - 1B
4. 4 Brandon Phillips - 2B
5. 17 Laynce Nix - LF
6. 55 Ramon Hernandez - C
7. 32 Jay Bruce - RF
8. 9 Danny Richar - 3B
9. 47 Johnny Cueto - P

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.

Dan Haren dominated the Reds with his arm and his bat in a 6-2 win on Tuesday night.

Haren (7-5) retired the first 11 hitters he faced before walking Cincinnati’s Joey Votto with 2 outs in the 4th. The Reds didn’t get a hit until Jay Bruce singled with two outs in the 5th.

Haren had a great day at the plate as well, going 2 for 2 with a run scored, raising his season batting average to .286. Haren followed Miguel Montero’s 2-run blast in the 6th inning with a solo shot off of Cincinnati starter Bronson Arroyo (8-7). Haren’s home run was the first in his major league career and came in his 164th career at-bat.

Montero had a big day for the Diamondbacks, going 3 for 4, and Mark Reynolds added 3 hits and 2 runs batted in for Arizona, who broke a season-long 5-game losing streak.

Highlights from ESPN.com/Fox Sports Arizona

MLB.com : Box Score | Diamondbacks Wrap | Reds Wrap

For many D-Backs fans there are several names that will stand out: Troy Glaus, Shea Hillendbrand, Raul Mondesi, Jose Guillen, Richie Sexson, Roberto Alomar (I forgot he was on the D-Backs too), Juan Cruz, Shawn Green, Eric Byrnes and Luis Gonzalez. Yes, World Series hero Luis Gonzalez is on the list. The most beloved player in the Diamondbacks short history is on the alleged steroid list. He did have a monster season in 2001. He hit .325, a career high 57 home runs and 142 RBI. He had an extremely good career with the D-Backs.  However, that 2001 season does stand out and has raised some questions in the past. Unfortunately, for Luis and Diamondback fans, this list will do nothing to quell the steroid rumors and speculation.

I’m already seeing blogs and articles suggesting or questioning the validity of the 2001 World Series.  So, because the player who got the World Series winning hit is on the alleged list, the championship is tainted? In my opinion, this is a myopic view of a much larger situation. Alfonso Soriano is on the alleged list, and he hit a fastball about 16 inches off the ground, over the fence to give the Yankees the lead. Roger Clemens started Game 7 and he’s been linked to the use of PED’s. You could play that back and forth game all day long. We won’t ever really know how many players in that game or series were on performance enhancing drugs. It’s done, it’s over. Nobody is going down to Chase Field to remove the trophy from the case.

The 2001 World Series, the 2001 playoffs, the Sosa/McGwire race for 62, Bonds quest for 70 and 756. These are just high profile events during the “Steroid Era”, which there is no definitive timeline for, but the 10 years from 1995-2005, seem to be the years most called into question. Fay Vincent issued a memo in 1991 addressing steroids and the years from 2005-2009 haven’t exactly been free and clear, so one could contend the era could actually be stretched from 1991-2009.

Baseball fans have been bombarded about hearing about PED’s, since the day the androstenedione was found in McGwire’s locker. That was in the summer of 1998. So, after almost 11 years, do fans even care anymore? Given the pass most fans are giving Manny Rarmirez, who actually failed a test and was suspended 50 games, I’d have to say that most fans don’t care anymore. There were still legions of fans that cheered Barry’s 756th, and Sosa’s 66th, and McGwire’s 70th. Fans are still turning those turnstiles. Maybe we have just accepted The Era. Maybe it is merely entertainment. We don’t care if our favorite actors or musicians are on drugs. Maybe we don’t care if our favorite athletes are on drugs either.

There’s three days left in the All-Star balloting for this year’s midsummer classic at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

And there’s a lot of people (fans, bloggers, columnists) who try to piece together the puzzle of the American and National League rosters, and what they might look like during player introductions on July 14th.

Tom Verducci of SI is one such person. He’s picked 62 All-Stars for this year’s game (31 for each squad), and there’s a lot of the usual suspects on Verducci’s rosters. Mauer, Morneau, Jeter, Ichiro and Halladay in the American League; Pujols, Utley, Wright and Hoffman in the senior circuit.

But there’s also been a lot of speculation on what type of representation the Arizona Diamondbacks will have this season. Let’s face it, the D-Backs have had a nightmarish first half of the season. They’re the 2nd worst team in baseball, and they trail the Dodgers by 18.5 games, which represents the biggest deficit of any big league team.

But despite this, Verducci has found room for three Diamondbacks on his NL squad–Dan Haren, Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton.

Haren’s a no-brainer. Even though he has only 6 wins, he should have at least 11 at this point, and he’s leading the league in ERA. He’s been the most consistent starter in baseball this season, and that includes Kansas City’s star Zack Greinke.

Reynolds has a solid case as well. Yes, he’s on pace to break his own Major League record for strikeouts in a season, but he’s leading all big league third basemen in homers with 21, and he trails only Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria in the runs batted in category with 54. And he’s made big strides defensively, committing only 8 errors to this point of the season (13 total, but only 8 at third).

Upton? You can certainly build a case for him as well. He’s 7th among all outfielders with a .318 batting average, and he’s put up solid home run and rbi totals. His defense is still shaky (see Sunday’s game), but Upton is still only 21 years old, and is becoming a star on a bad baseball team.

Kinda makes you wonder…how can a team with 3 All-Stars be this bad?

The Reds swept the 3-game series by a combined score of 26-9, handing the Snakes their first 3-game sweep of the year.

Tonight, the venue is different and the Diamondbacks will try to exact some revenge as they visit the Reds for 3-games at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

The Diamondbacks come in reeling after being swept by the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend. Arizona is 30-46, and 18.5 games behind the Dodgers in the National League West. If there is a spot of optimism, it’s that Dan Haren will take the hill for tonight’s series opener. Haren is 6-5 and leads the National League with a 2.25 ERA. He’ll be faced by Reds’ righty Bronson Arroyo, who despite having an ERA more than 3 runs worse than Haren’s, is 8-6 and tied for 2nd in the NL in victories.

Here are the starting lineups for tonight’s series opener…

Arizona Diamondbacks (30-46)


1. 2 Felipe Lopez - 2B
2. 6 Stephen Drew - SS
3. 10 Justin Upton - RF
4. 27 Mark Reynolds - 3B
5. 9 Gerardo Parra - LF
6. 24 Chris Young - CF
7. 31 Tony Clark - 1B
8. 26 Miguel Montero - C
9. 15 Dan Haren - P

Cincinnati Reds (37-37)


1. 3 Willy Taveras - CF
2. 15 Jerry Hairston - 3B
3. 19 Joey Votto - 1B
4. 4 Brandon Phillips - 2B
5. 17 Laynce Nix - LF
6. 55 Ramon Hernandez - C
7. 32 Jay Bruce - RF
8. 7 Paul Janish - SS
9. 61 Bronson Arroyo - P

We’ve seen 13 errors.

We’ve seen an opposing runner steal home.

And we’ve seen one win and six losses.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Bad News ‘Backs.

The Bad News Bears were a team that didn’t belong in the North Valley Little League. They were the rejects, the players that nobody wanted. Who can forget Tanner Boyle’s politically incorrect statement on the makeup of the Bears?

The Arizona Diamondbacks are the major league version of that team. Just kinda makes you wonder who the booger-eating moron is on the Diamondbacks’ roster?

The Diamondbacks have hit rock bottom; there’s no other way to put it. They are 30-46, and owners of the 2nd worst record in all of baseball. The only team with a worse record is the Washington Nationals, and even they beat the Diamondbacks 2 out of 3 back in early May.

They’re second to last in the league in hitting. They’re second to last in the league in strikeouts. They’re last in the league in fielding. They’re 18-29 under their new manager. Their attendance is dwindling.

The only real reason for optimism for the rest of the season was the scheduled return of Brandon Webb to the mound. But now that Webb has appointments scheduled with specialists all over the country to see if he needs season-ending surgery on his pitching shoulder, even that is dashed.

What do Diamondbacks’ fans have to look forward to? Baxter Soap Dispenser Day has already come and gone.

At least the Bad News Bears got a mid-season shot in the arm when Kelly Leak lost a bet with Amanda Whurlitzer, and had to play the rest of the season for the Bears. Unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, there’s no cigarette-smoking, dirt-bike riding power-hitting prospects loitering outside of Chase Field.

The Bears progressed enough to advance to the championship game against the hated Yankees. The Diamondbacks are going in the other direction, seemingly getting worse by the day.

Maybe the D-Backs can spice things up by allowing a girl to pitch in the rotation the rest of the season, or have A.J. Hinch drink beer in the dugout during games. Maybe they can drive a stolen van to Houston for their series with the Astros in August?

This team is going to need something to make them interesting in the last 86 games of the year.

Gary Matthews Jr. reacts after stealing home in the Angels' 12-8 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sunday.

The Diamondbacks self-destructed once again, committing 4 errors, including 3 in the 5th inning when the Angels scored 5 runs to go up 9-2. Arizona fought back, scoring 5 runs in the 6th, to make it 9-8, but the Angels put the game out of reach on a solo homer by Jeff Mathis in the 8th inning, and a 2-run blast by Maicer Izturis in the 9th.

The Diamondbacks have now committed 71 errors in 76 games this season, the most in the majors. Arizona racked up 11 errors in their just-completed 1-5 homestand.

Arizona starter Max Scherzer lasted just 4.1 innings, and took the loss. Scherzer gave up 4 hits and 8 runs, only 3 of which were earned, as his record fell to 5-5 on the season. Angels right hander Matt Palmer wasn’t sharp, getting touched up for 10 hits and 6 runs in 5 innings, but it was enough to improve his record to 7-1 on the season.

The Diamondbacks have lost 8 of their last 9 games and have fallen 18 games behind the first place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. It’s only the 2nd time all season that the Diamondbacks have been swept, and the first since Cincinnati took their brooms out in a 3-game sweep at Chase Field in mid-May.

Incidentally, the Diamondbacks hit the road to visit the Reds for a 3-game series at Great American Ballpark on Tuesday night. The D-Backs will also head to Colorado for 3 before coming home for a 7-game homestand against the Padres and Marlins to wrap up the first half of the season.

Highlights from ESPN.com/Fox Sports Arizona

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good

• Tony Clark. Since committing an error which cost the Diamondbacks the game last Sunday in Seattle, the veteran Clark has rebounded to have a pretty nice week. Clark has driven in 5 runs in his last 4 games.
• Clay Zavada. After another scoreless inning of work on Sunday, the rookie left-hander has started his career with 17.1 innings without allowing an earned run.

The Bad

• Tony Pena. The Diamondbacks reliever has failed to provide much relief in June. Pena was touched up for 3 hits and 2 runs in just two-thirds of an inning, raising his June ERA to 10.80.

The Ugly

• The 4th and 5th innings will go down as probably the worst baseball ever played at Chase Field/Bank One Ballpark. The Angels scored 9 runs and the Diamondbacks committed 4 errors, including a dropped ball by Mark Reynolds on a routine play at first (the second time that’s happened in a week), a booted ball on a line-drive right to Justin Upton and a ball right through the wickets of Felipe Lopez at second base. Not to mention, Matthews stole home from third on Scherzer, who was pitching from a wind-up, and Miguel Montero simply missed the tag as Matthews slid home safely. The Diamondbacks committed two more would-be errors in the 5th on errant throws, but Kendry Morales failed to score on either play. Morales has a heart.

MLB.com: Box Score | Diamondbacks’ Wrap | Angels’ Wrap

D-Backs' reliever Chad Qualls reacts after surrendering a solo homer to Angels' catcher Mike Napoli in the top of the 9th inning in Arizona's 2-1 loss on Saturday.

Mike Napoli’s gargantuan solo homer off of Chad Qualls in the top of the 9th inning Saturday lifted the Los Angeles Angels to a 2-1 win over the D-Backs. Arizona lost its 4th straight game, and is 0-7-1 in its last 8 home series.

Scherzer (5-4, 3.53 ERA) takes on Angels’ right hander Matt Palmer (6-1, 4.70 ERA) in today’s pitching matchup at Chase Field.

Here are today’s starting lineups…

Arizona Diamondbacks (30-45)


1. 2 Felipe Lopez - 2B
2. 6 Stephen Drew - SS
3. 10 Justin Upton - RF
4. 27 Mark Reynolds - 1B
5. 9 Gerardo Parra - CF
6. 26 Miguel Montero - C
7. 28 Alex Romero - LF
8. 11 Augie Ojeda - 3B
9. 39 Max Scherzer - P

Los Angeles Angels (40-32)


1. 9 Chone Figgins - 3B
2. 13 Maicer Izturis - 2B
3. 53 Bobby Abreu - RF
4. 20 Juan Rivera - LF
5. 19 Kendry Morales - 1B
6. 24 Gary Matthews, Jr. - CF
7. 2 Erick Aybar - SS
8. 5 Jeff Mathis - C
9. 32 Matt Palmer - P

D-Backs' outfielder Eric Byrnes reacts after being hit by a pitch in the first inning of Thursday night's 9-8 loss to the Texas Rangers. Byrnes is expected to miss four to eight weeks of action.

The Angels come in to the 3-game set with a 38-32 record, and trail the Texas Rangers by only 1/2 game in the American League standings. More impressively, the Angels have feasted on the NL West in Interleague play, going 11-4 to this point, including taking 2 of 3 from the red-hot Colorado Rockies earlier this week.

The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, are still floundering after Thursday night’s 9-8 12-inning loss to the Rangers which sank Arizona to 30-43 on the year, 17 games behind the division-leading Dodgers.

The D-Backs got more bad news on the injury front last night as well when they learned that left fielder Eric Byrnes will miss 4 to 8 weeks with a broken hand. Byrnes was hit by a pitch in the first inning of Thursday’s game by Texas starter Scott Feldman. It was expected that Alex Romero would be called up from Triple-A Reno to take Byrnes’ spot on the roster.

Center fielder Chris Young is in tonight’s lineup for manager A.J. Hinch. Young has not been in the lineup since last Thursday’s win over Kansas City. He’s been bothered by a groin injury.

Here tonight’s lineups for the Diamondbacks and Angels.

Arizona Diamondbacks (30-43)


1. 2 Felipe Lopez - 2B
2. 6 Stephen Drew - SS
3. 10 Justin Upton - RF
4. 27 Mark Reynolds - 3B
5. 9 Gerardo Parra - LF
6. 24 Chris Young - CF
7. 31 Tony Clark - 1B
8. 38 Luke Carlin - C
9. 33 Billy Buckner - P

Los Angeles Angels (38-32)


1. 9 Chone Figgins - 3B
2. 13 Maicer Izturis - 2B
3. 53 Bobby Abreu - RF
4. 48 Torii Hunter - CF
5. 20 Juan Rivera - LF
6. 19 Kendry Morales - 1B
7. 2 Erick Aybar - SS
8. 5 Jeff Mathis - C
9. 36 Jered Weaver - P

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.

Haren got into a little troube in the second innnig after he hit lead off batter Marlon Byrd then walked Hank Blalock. Taylor Teagarden would double driving in Byrd and giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead. In the top of the third Texas would tack on one more run with Ian Kinsler leading off with a single and stealing second base. David Murphy would then drive in Kinsler with a single and give the Rangers a 2-0 lead they would not relinquish.

Felipe Lopez would knock in the only run of the night for the D-backs. Miguel Montero reached on blooper to left field and moved to second base on a Dan Haren sacrifice. Montero then scored when Felipe Lopez singed to center. Lopez was the only D-back to have more han one hit on the night and reached base three times going 2-for-3 with a walk.

Haren fell to 6-5 on the season despite having a league leading 2.25 ERA.

Taylor Teagarden's 2nd inning rbi double opened the scoring in the Texas Rangers' 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday at Chase Field.

But again, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ offense couldn’t supply enough firepower for their ace right hander as they fell to the Texas Rangers 2-1 Wednesday at Chase Field.

Haren was touched up for one run in the 2nd inning when Taylor Teagarden singled in Marlon Byrd. The Rangers tacked on another run in the 3rd when David Murphy drove in Ian Kinsler with an rbi single. Haren didn’t give up another hit in his 7 inning stint.

Former Diamondback Vicente Padilla was up for the challenge of a pitcher’s duel with Haren. Padilla also went 7 innings, and allowed just one run and 6 hits for his 6th win on the season.

Felipe Lopez drove in the only Diamondbacks run with a single in the 5th which plated Miguel Montero.

The Rangers (38-32) broke their 5-game losing streak and stayed in a tie for first place in the American League West with the Los Angeles Angels, while the Diamondbacks fell to 30-42 on the season. Arizona trails the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost on Wednesday to the Chicago White Sox, by 17 games.

Fanster.com Locker Room Report

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good

• Dan Haren - The D-Backs’ right hander was great again, although he labored in the early innings, giving up single runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings. The Rangers didn’t manage a hit off of Haren (or the D-Backs’ bullpen for that matter) after the third inning.
• Felipe Lopez - After struggling much of the season with runners in scoring position, Lopez has excelled in that area vs the Rangers. Lopez drove in the only Arizona run with a single that scored Miguel Montero from 2nd in the 5th inning.

The Bad

• Everyone else with RISP - Everyone not named Felipe Lopez was 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. The Diamondbacks managed to get their leadoff runner aboard in 5 innings on Wednesday, and still managed only 1 run.

The Ugly

• The news that came out earlier today that D-Backs’ right hander Brandon Webb may miss the rest of the season. Webb is pondering surgery to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder.

MLB.com : Box Score | Diamondbacks’ Wrap | Rangers’ Wrap

Highlights from ESPN.com/Fox Sports Arizona

Just a matter of months ago the Diamondbacks and Brandon Webb were discussing a contract extension. Now they are talking about surgery that could significantly change the direction of Webb’s career.

According to numerous sources Diamondbacks’ ace Brandon Webb may be heading for surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. The surgery could keep him on the shelf for close to nine months.

If the worst case scenario is true, and Webb goes under the knife, it’s time for the one time ace and the team who drafted him to part ways. With the small operating budget and little room for error that the Diamondbacks have they can’t afford to spend $8 million next season on what amounts to a question mark let alone offering a contract extension to a pitcher with a bad shoulder. Once thought of as an inconsequential thing, the team has a buyout option of $1.5 million on his contract at the end of this season that could save the team $6.5 million.

Exercising the buyout of Webb may not be popular and it obviously changes the course of the D-Back’s future but it is a necessity. The Diamondbacks already have an ace in Dan Haren and an emerging number two starter in the young but consistent Max Scherzer. Jon Garland could return for cheap as there is a mutual option for him and Billy Buckner has proven to be a serviceable end of the rotation hurler.

With a system full of talented starting pitchers, like Jarrod Parker, the team could use the money they’d be saving on the Webb to address issues such as the bullpen and a true cleanup hitter. By knowing what is going on with Webb prior to the trade deadline the Diamondbacks can taylor any trade they make with an eye to life after him.

The Diamondbacks have proven this year that they have numerous areas of concern to focus on. Most teams in the majors don’t have one true dominating ace. The fact that this team had two was a luxury and not a imperative to the clubs success. The uncertainty of a pitcher who has had labrum surgery is just to great for the Diamondbacks to risk. The best move was the one they didn’t make back at the begin of the season. You just have to wonder what exactly Josh Byrnes and the front office knew when Webb’s contract extension fell apart.

Haren has been masterful all season for Arizona, and leads the National League with a sterling 2.23 ERA. Yet his record doesn’t reflect his dominance. Haren is only 6-4 on the season.

In his last two decisions combined, Haren has gone 16 innings, allowing just 9 hits and 3 earned runs, while striking out 13 and walking only 2. He is nearly a shoo-in for the National League All-Star team, and could be the starter for the game to be played July 14th in St. Louis.

Texas counters with former Diamondback Vicente Padilla, who is 5-4 with a 4.79 ERA.

Arizona center fielder Chris Young will miss his 5th straight game with a groin injury. Gerardo Parra will start again in center field for the Diamondbacks.

Here’s the lineups for tonight’s game at Chase…

Arizona Diamondbacks (30-41)


1. 2 Felipe Lopez - 2B
2. 6 Stephen Drew - SS
3. 10 Justin Upton - RF
4. 27 Mark Reynolds - 3B
5. 9 Gerardo Parra - CF
6. 31 Tony Clark - 1B
7. 22 Eric Byrnes - LF
8. 26 Miguel Montero - C
9. 15 Dan Haren - P

Texas Rangers (37-32)


1. 5 Ian Kinsler - 2B
2. 7 David Murphy - RF
3. 10 Michael Young - 3B
4. 22 Marlon Byrd - CF
5. 9 Hank Blalock - 1B
6. 41 Brandon Boggs - LF
7. 2 Taylor Teagarden - C
8. 1 Elvis Andrus - SS
9. 44 Vicente Padilla - P

In the second inning Eric Byrnes lead off with a single and moved to second base on a Miguel Montero walk. Ryan Robers followed with a walk and loaded up the bases with no outs. After pitcher Max Scherzer struck out Felipe Lopez grounded a ball into left scoring Byrnes and Montero and the D-backs has a quick 4-0 lead.

The Rangers would get one run back in the third inning and one more in the fourth before the D-backs found the scoreboard again in the bottom of the fourth. Pitcher Max Scherzer  would sacrifice Roberts to second after Roberts reached base on a walk. Lopez would then knock in another run scoring Roberts on a single and later score on a single by Stephen Drew. Justin Upton would then show why he deserves a lot more consideration for the All-Star team as he lined a shot that scored Drew and put the kid on second giving the D-backs a 7-2 lead after four.

Lopez would also keep up his torrid hitting with a triple in the 6th inning. Lopez would score on a bizarre play I don’t think I have ever seen after the Rangers catcher overthrew the ball back to the pitchers mound.

Matt Scherzer pitched six innings allowing only two runs on seven hits and striking out seven. Scherzer got into trouble a few times early, but was able to get himself out of it with minimal damage. The pull pulled through for Scherzer with three shutout innings allowing only one hit.