Bad Timing

Yeah, I know, even aces have off days. But I wish Brandon Webb had waited one more turn to give up six earned runs. The Diamondbacks really could have used the win tonight, especially since Greg Maddux starts game 3 and it now appears that San Diego's Chris Young will return to the rotation in time to pitch the last game of the series.

An opportunity to put some distance between the Snakes and their nearest rivals has been lost. The best the D'backs can do now is to gain a split and leave San Diego status quo ante. It isn't time to panic yet, even if the Snakes lose three or all four games to the Friars. A sweep by the Padres would put the D'Backs only two games out of first with the whole month of September, including 3 games at home against the San Diegans. There is still time to pull it out, though I am quite aware that the rest of the schedule is tough. The Cardinals are still in the Central race and even the lowly Giants are remembering what it's like to win. And they've taken 5 of the last 6 from the D'Backs at "Ballpark by the Bay."

But what I really want to talk about is one Eric Byrnes -- base thief. He got a single (152) this game and the pitcher threw to first 5 straight times. Then he finally threw home and as expected Byrnesie took off. And since everyone was expecting him to go, the Padres pitched out. But Byrnesie made it into second safely for steal No. 38! <heh-heh-heh> And he scored, which was only right since he worked so hard to get into scoring position and since his teammates have been stranding him after steals lately. That was run No. 82, which ties last year's total.

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