Diamondbacks Notes: August 13, 2008
* DUNN DEBUTS -- Adam Dunn lived up to his reputation in his first game for Arizona. Batting fourth and playing RF, the Diamondbacks newly acquired slugger did (almost) everything expected of him.
In the top of the first, Dunn worked a full count, then struck out swinging at a Ubaldo Jimenez sinker that bounced in the dirt. Dunn followed up by taking a pair of called strikes to lead off the fourth, but rallied for a walk on four consecutive pitches, including another sinker that bounced in front of the plate for ball four.
His first Diamondbacks hit came as Dunn drove an 0-1 fastball to RF for a double in the fifth. He would have earned an RBI had Stephen Drew not been caught in a run-down at 3B as Conor Jackson reached by fielder's choice on the preceding play. Dunn took four straight Jorge de la Rosa fastballs for his second BB to start the seventh, but the bottom of the order left him stranded for the third time on the night.
Batting with a runner in scoring position for the only time in the game, Dunn worked yet another 3-2 count before whiffing at a fastball from Jason Grilli, leaving Augie Ojeda on 2B and Jackson at 1B to end the eighth inning.
Out in RF, Dunn had few chances. His first fielding opportunity came in the bottom of the second, when Ian Stewart's line drive sailed over his head and bounced off the wall. Dunn played it on the carom and fired back to the infield. It would have been a difficult ball for any RF to catch on the fly, so no demerits to Dunn on the play. His throw was a bit wild and resulted in a brief moment of chaos. Still, Stewart would have had a double and Clint Barmes would have scored from 2B irrespective of the throw. No harm, no foul.
Dunn's only other plays in the field came as he collected a Seth Smith ground ball single in the seventh and caught Jeff Baker's fly for the final out of the eighth inning.
In his five plate appearances, Dunn saw an impressive total of 25 pitches and finished K, BB, 2B, BB, K. While he failed to add to his major league-leading 32 HRs, Dunn demonstrated both patience and power. His first defensive chance was perhaps a little "exciting" (and not in a good way), but he did not hurt the Diamondbacks in the field.
Even if he continues to strike out a ton, Dunn can do loads of good for the Arizona offense by working counts and getting on base. The effect may be subtle, but over the remaining 43 regular season games, the Diamondbacks should get into opposing bullpens sooner and deeper on account of Dunn's presence in the lineup. It will be up to his teammates to capitalize on the opportunities he creates.
All tolled, Dunn was no disappointment in his first game for the Snakes. Here's hoping Dunn shows us the most emphatic part of his game -- his ability to hit the long-ball -- before the club leaves Denver.
* ARI @ COL, GAME 1 -- In defeating Colorado by a 4-2 score, Arizona enabled Randy Johnson to record career win No. 294 on Tuesday evening. The victory was his tenth on the year. With four scheduled off-days in August and September, the Diamondbacks should be able to skip fifth starter Yusmeiro Petit and/or give RJ some extra rest, while still sending him to the mound nine times before the season's end. As well as he has pitched of late (6-2, 49.1 IP, 44 H, 6 BB, 45 K, 2.92 ERA, 1.01 WHIP since July 1), the Unit has a real chance to reach the 300-win mark in 2008.
* OWINGS ON HIS WAY OUT -- Both Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and MLB.com's Mark Sheldon are reporting that Micah Owings will be one of the players sent to Cincinnati to complete the deal for Dunn. That's a bit of a disappointment, but not a surprise, given that the Reds are picking up some of Dunn's remaining salary this year and foregoing the draft pick compensation his team would receive if he leaves as a free agent. Although clubs sometimes get lucky (see: Karim Garcia for Luis Gonzalez plus cash), you usually have to give something to get something. Owings looks to be a solid mid-rotation starter for years to come, but he has been a disaster this season, has some present injury concerns, and would be unlikely to help Arizona in its playoff push were he to stay. If sending him means the Diamondbacks get to keep Max Scherzer and Jarrod Parker, two starters with better stuff and higher upside, so be it. That's not yet entirely certain, as the final PTBNL in the Dunn deal is still unknown. Young, cheap and talented, Owings should not clear waivers, so don't expect the trade to be completed before the playoffs. Assuming the reports are correct, DBN wishes Micah the best of luck as a Red.
* NUMEROLOGY -- Dunn wore No. 32 on his Sedona red Diamondbacks jersey. He had worn No. 44 during his Cincinnati career. That number was unavailable in Arizona, as it currently belongs to ... Micah Owings. Hmm.
* UPTON UPDATE -- Justin Upton started in RF for AAA Tucson on Tuesday. He singled and walked in three at-bats. Upton also committed a fielding error in what turned out to be an ugly 21-5 loss to the Rockies' affiliate in Colorado Springs. The Sidewinders will stick around for three more games against the Sky Sox, who play about 70 miles south of their parent club's home park. As hosts to Portland on Saturday night, Tucson fans will get their first live glimpse of Upton, who skipped directly from AA Mobile to make his major-league debut on August 2, 2007.
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