Now is not the time…

for the pitching staff to go bust!

But go bust they did, as Micah Owings gave up four home runs and the game ended up Padres 10 – Diamondbacks 2.

Welcome back from the DL, Carlos Quentin.  He celebrated by hitting a double.

The big news was Eric Byrnes’ second multi-hit game in three days.  That’s the Byrnesie we got used to earlier in the year; I hope he’s back for the rest of the month! Byrnesie hit homer number 20 today, which means he’s still on pace for the 26 he had last year and if he stays hot, even 30 is not totally far-fetched.  Of course, 26 is important this year because it will be his 100th homer, which pairs nicely with the 104 stolen bases he has so far.  He also hit a triple, his eighth of the year. 

What was great about these hits was that they were solidly struck; Byrnes really looked in the groove on these.  And he does well against Greg Maddux, which is more than I can say for the rest of the team (and a lot of other major-league hitters).

I’m now in countdown mode until he gets San Francisco next Monday. He needs 4 base hits, 6 runs, 3 RBI, 2 triples, 2 outfield assists — he made a great one today, nailing a runner at home — and seven home runs for new personal bests in all those categories. He already has a new personal best in stolen bases with 39, but I hope he comes to "Ballpark by the Bay" with at least 40 just because… I hope he notches some of the new personal bests before he gets here.  I think he can get the base hits, runs, RBI, and with luck maybe even the triples and assists this week.  (And he can help his own cause by not somersaulting when he throws).  The homers will probably take longer as will the new personal best for total extra-base hits.  Byrnesie has 54 extra-base hits right now; he needs 13 more to set a new mark.

HMMM… I like the thought of Eric Byrnes getting 13 extra-base hits between now and the end of the year.  That will signal the improved offense the Diamondbacks will need if they are to have a chance at the playoffs.

Assuming, of course, the pitching staff doesn’t go bust the rest of the way.

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