Diamondbacks Notes: August 14, 2008 (Late Edition)

* WASHED OUT -- Batting third and playing RF for the Sidewinders on Thursday evening, Justin Upton went 1-for-2 with a two-run, two-out single.  Tucson had jumped to a 5-3 lead through three innings, but Mother Nature intervened and the game was suspended due to rain.  The game will be made up on August 27, by which point Upton should be back with Diamondbacks.  Officially, Upton is 5-for-12 with a double, an RBI and two strikeouts on his rehab assignment, although we at DBN will always wonder what might have been but for the stormy skies in Colorado Springs.  Upton may have scuffled in May and June with the parent club, but AAA pitching has so far been no match for his powers.  Weather permitting, the Sidewinders and Sky Sox will start fresh on Friday before our farmhands head back to the Old Pueblo.

* NICE SOUVENIR -- If anyone is curious, JUp is sporting No. 24 on his Sidewinders jersey.  Since Justin will not be long for the minors and the AAA franchise plans to leave Tucson...

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Tags: Aaron Cunningham, Adam Dunn, Bob Brenly, Bob Melvin, Brett Anderson, Carlos Gonzalez, Carlos Quentin, Chris B. Young, Chris Burke, Chris Carter, Clint Barmes, Dallas Buck, Dan Haren, Emilio Bonifacio, Eric Byrnes, Greg Smith, Justin Upton, Micah Owings, Mobile BayBears, Reno Aces, Tucson Sidewinders

Snakes Stake NL West Hopes on Dunn's Mighty Bat

Well, damn.  Just when you thought the Diamondbacks had opted against a move for one of the big bats available on the trade market, they land the major league leader in home runs -- a week and a half past the trade deadline!

Kudos to Josh Byrnes and the front office crew for making the move to acquire Adam Dunn.

Arizona's offense, which surged after the All-Star Break, sputtered once again beginning with the July 31-August 3 series in Los Angeles.  In splitting a four game set with their closest division rivals, the Diamondbacks scored a grand total of nine runs.  They managed to exceed that pace in subsequent series against the woeful Pirates and Braves, but Arizona bats could not put enough runs on the board to avoid a 3-4 home stand.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, have added a formidable hitter in Manny Ramirez, whose scorching hot bat may yet carry them past Arizona in the NL West.  The trade for Dunn is a direct answer to the challenge laid down by LA.

The fit is not ideal for...

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Tags: Adam Dunn, Albert Pujols, Chad Tracy, Cincinnati Reds, Conor Jackson, Dallas Buck, Josh Byrnes, Justin Upton, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, Max Scherzer, Orlando Hudson, Pat Burrell, Tucson Sidewinders