Live by the Homer, Die by the Homer: Friars 3 - Snakes 1

Eric hits No. 19 (photo by Lenny Ignelzi/AP)

"Coming into it and facing Peavy, we're facing their [ace] tonight, and they have to face ours tomorrow, so we feel real good about Webby going, and as long as he goes out there and pitches the way he's been pitching, I think we'll be fine."

--Eric Byrnes, after a tough loss to the D'Backs nearest division rival.

Jake Peavy struck out 11 Diamondbacks, but when he stepped off the mound for the last time in the seventh inning tonight, he was on the losing side. The score was 1-0 Arizona, courtesy of Eric Byrnes' 19th homer of the season. Finally! He hadn't homered since August 12. (Now if he can only get number 20 before the month is out!)

However, Geoff Blum snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the bottom of the seventh by hitting a two-run homer and Milton Bradley hit a solo shot in the eighth for the insurance run.

They didn't get any more because Eric Byrnes saved a double earlier in the game with an excellent catch in left field.

The Padres are now two games out of first.

Byrnesie, remember that homer. We need a bunch of them from you over the next week. You haven't been on a real homer jag this year. You know, one of those five homers in eight games deals. As I recall, you had two of those last year. I've got tickets to the Diamondbacks series in San Francisco. I would love to see homers no. 26 and 27 in "Ballpark by the Bay."

Tonight's homer was hit no. 152, RBI no. 72, and run scored no. 81; one more ties his total of last year. But he needs some multi-hit games. The 1-4 or 1-3 and a walk pattern he has been showing a lot of lately has kept his batting average at .298. I liked it better when it was .316.

I also liked it better when it was 1-0 tonight. Live by the homer, die by the homer.

The Diamondbacks had to face Jake Peavy tonight, but now the Padres have to face Brandon Webb. <heh-heh-heh>

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