Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

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Major League Baseball 2K7
HeelFan's Sliders (Altered)
dkrause's Rosters

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Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

Snakes Look to Snap Back in '07
An old face is welcomed back to the desert


Randy Johnson tries on his new Arizona Diamondbacks uniform

Phoenix, AZ -- In 2001, Randy Johnson brought the World Series crown to Phoenix, Arizona. In 2007, the aging lefty returns to the desert in hopes of lifting an extremely young team to the promised land. Full of very talented youngsters, the D'Backs lineup is fully expected to struggle in the early going, but manager Bob Melvin will be looking to get the most out of his squad. If some of Melvin's everday players can't get the job done, 2005's #1 overall pick, Justin Upton, is dying to contribute.

Lineup

1. Stephen Drew, SS
(2006: .316, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 2 SB in 59 games)

2. Orlando Hudson, 2B
(2006: .287, 15 HR, 67 RBI, 9 SB)

3. Eric Byrnes, LF
(2006: .267, 26 HR, 79 RBI, 25 SB)

4. Chad Tracy, 3B
(2006: .281, 20 HR, 80 RBI, 5 SB)

5. Conor Jackson, 1B
(2006: .291, 15 HR, 79 RBI, SB)

6. Carlos Quentin, RF
(2006: .253, 9 HR, 32 RBI, SB in 57 games)

7. Chris Young, CF
(2006: .243, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB in 30 games)

8. Chris Snyder, C
(2006: .277, 6 HR, 32 RBI in 61 games)

This inexperienced lineup won't lead the league in average, but should produce enough pop over the course of the season to keep the D'Backs competitive. Stephen Drew will be key at the top of the lineup, as the former Florida State Seminole will be looked to set the table for the big guys. Eric Byrnes, Chad Tracy, and Conor Jackson are the main sources of power on the club, but none of the three drove in 100 runs last season. All in all, Arizona's expecting big things, but don't be surprised to see a drought in the desert.

Pitching Rotation

1. Brandon Webb, RHP
(2006: 16-8, 3.10 ERA, 235 IP, 178 SO, 3 SHO)

2. Randy Johnson, LHP
(2006: 17-11, 5.00 ERA, 205 IP, 172 SO)

3. Livan Hernandez, RHP
(2006: 4-5, 3.76 ERA, 69.1 IP, 39 SO in 10 starts)

4. Doug Davis, LHP
(2006: 11-11, 4.91 ERA, 203.1 IP, 159 SO, SHO)

5. Edgar Gonzalez, RHP
(2006: 3-4, 4.22 ERA, 42.2 IP, 28 SO in 5 starts)

SU: Brandon Lyon, RHP
(2006: 2-4, 3.89 ERA, 69.1 IP, 46 SO)

CL: Jose Valverde, RHP
(2006: 2-3, 5.84 ERA, 49.1 IP, 69 SO, 18 SV)

Anchored by the 2006 Cy Young Award winner in Brandon Webb, the Diamondbacks' pitching staff should remain slightly above average throughout the 2007 campaign. Veteran Randy Johnson can still eat up innings, and Livan Hernandez is a notorious workhorse. Doug Davis serves as a quality end of the rotation guy, whereas Edgar Gonzalez has to prove himself to maintain his spot in the rotation. Jose Valverde should have a busy year at the end of the pen, as the Arizona offense likely won't blow many teams out of the water.

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Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

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Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

Diamondbacks Struggle in Colorado
Arizona managed just five runs in the three games
Record: 1-2


Brandon Webb suffered a hard loss in Game One

Game One
Arizona Diamondbacks 0, Colorado Rockies 2

Colorado's Garrett Atkins homered in the first inning off of Arizona starter Brandon Webb to score the only two runs of the ball game. Webb pitched well for the D'Backs, going seven innings and striking out seven, but was outdone by his counterpart, Jeff Francis. The Rockies' starter went eight strong innings and allowed just five hits in his first win of the season.

WP: Jeff Francis (1-0) - 8 IP, 5 K, 5 H
LP: Brandon Webb (0-1) - 7 IP, 7 K, 8 H, 2 ER
S: Brian Fuentes (1)



Stephen Drew - 1-4
Orlando Hudson - 1-4
Chris Young - 2-3



Willy Taveras - 2-4
Garrett Atkins - 2-4, HR (1), 2 RBI
Matt Holliday - 3-3, 2B


Game Two
Arizona Diamondbacks 3, Colorado Rockies 1

The tide turned in game two of the series, as the Arizona offense actually showed up to play. Colorado starter, Aaron Cook, was roughed up and forced out of the game after six innings in which he gave up three runs. Randy Johnson went eight frames in the second Diamondbacks' debut of his career, fanning four and allowing just six hits in the effort. Several D'Backs had two hits, and the Snakes cruised to the 3-1 win.

WP: Randy Johnson (1-0) - 8 IP, 4 K, 6 H
LP: Aaron Cook (0-1) - 6 IP, K, 9 H, 3 ER
S: Jose Valverde (1)



Stephen Drew - 2-5, 2B
Chad Tracy - 2-4, RBI
Conor Jackson - 2-4, RBI
Chris Young - 2-4



Cory Sullivan - 3-4
Luis Gonzalez - 2-4, 2B, RBI
Matt Holliday - 2-4, 2B


Game Three
Arizona Diamondbacks 2, Colorado Rockies 3

Livan Hernandez and Josh Fogg squared off in the rubbermatch of the series, and both pitched well for the respective squads. Hernandez went all eight of the innings the Diamondbacks saw on defense, giving up three earned runs and striking out five. In the bottom of the eighth, however, Hernandez made a crucial mistake to Brad Hawpe, and Hawpe drilled the fastball over the fence to give the Rockies the 3-2 win.

WP: Josh Fogg (1-0) - 7 IP, 3 K, 10 H, 2 ER
LP: Livan Hernandez (0-1) - 8 IP, 5 K, 7 H, 3 ER
S: Brian Fuentes (2)



Orlando Hudson - 2-4
Carlos Quentin - 2-4, 2B
Chris Young - 2-4, 2B



Todd Helton - 2-4, 2 2B
Matt Holliday - 1-3, 3B
Brad Hawpe - 1-3, HR (1), 2 RBI

[Psyblast]

Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

Only 4 Ks with Unit? Boooooo!

Just playin'. I'll be reading as always, the D'Backs should be fun, I had fun playing AGAINST them in my season with the Sox.

[jake44np]

Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

What happened to your Braves franchise?

[skitch]

Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

What happened to your Braves franchise?

The stats were a bit ridiculous, and I wanted to try out a really young team.

[skitch]

Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

D'Backs Sweep Through Nation's Capital
Arizona hands it to Nationals, earns 4-game sweep
Record: 5-2


Eric Byrnes hit the first Diamondback home run of the season

Game One
Arizona Diamondbacks 2, Washington Nationals 1

Pitching appears to be the name of the game for the Diamondbacks early on this season, as Arizona competed in yet another duel in the opener against Washington. Doug Davis went eight strong innings in his first victory of the year, fanning twelve and scattering just five hits. Eric Byrnes' big day at the plate helped the D'Backs to the 2-1 triumph.

WP: Doug Davis (1-0) - 8 IP, 12 K, 5 H
LP: Jason Bergmann (0-1) - 7 IP, 4 K, 8 H, 2 ER
SV: Jose Valverde (2)



Stephen Drew - 1-4, SB (1)
Eric Byrnes - 2-4, 3B, HR (1)
Conor Jackson - 3-4, 2 2B



Felipe Lopez - 1-3
Alex Escobar - 2-4
Ryan Zimmerman - 1-4, HR (1)


Game Two
Arizona Diamondbacks 4, Washington Nationals 3

The two teams from opposite sides of the States competed in yet another low-scoring affair, but this one featured bonus baseball. Decided in ten innings, the Diamondbacks managed to score on a Stephen Drew RBI-groundout to steal a victory away from the Nationals. Brandon Lyon claimed the win for Arizona after pitching three scoreless innings, while Nationals' closer Chad Cordero was pinned with the loss.

WP: Brandon Lyon (1-0) - 3 IP, 2 K
LP: Chad Cordero (0-1) - 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER
- Enrique Gonzalez (ARI) - 6 IP, 2 K, 5 H, ER
- Billy Traber (WAS) - 6 IP, K, 7 H, 2 ER



Chad Tracy - 2-4, 2B, RBI
Conor Jackson - 2-4, RBI
Chris Snyder - 2-4



Felipe Lopez - 2-5
Ryan Church - 1-4, 2B, RBI
Nick Johnson - 2-4


Game Three
Arizona Diamondbacks 9, Washington Nationals 0

For the first time this season, the D'Backs really got their bats going. Great pitching came with no surprise to the Arizona clubhouse, especially considering Brandon Webb toed the rubber for the visiting team. Centerfielder Chris Young had a huge day at the plate as he clubbed three doubles, and Arizona cruised to an easy win out east.

WP: Brandon Webb (1-1) - CG SHO, 6 K, 8 H
LP: John Patterson (0-2) - 4.2 IP, K, 9 H, 4 ER



Orlando Hudson - 3-5
Eric Byrnes - 2-5, 2B, RBI
Chad Tracy - 2-4, 2 2B
Conor Jackson - 2-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI
Carlos Quentin - 2-5, RBI
Chris Young - 3-5, 3 2B, 2 RBI



Ryan Zimmerman - 2-4
Nick Johnson - 1-4
Austin Kearns - 1-4


Game Four
Arizona Diamondbacks 4, Washington Nationals 1

In the final game of the series, the Diamondbacks took care of business late to claim yet another victory over the Nats. Tied 1-1 going into the eighth inning, the D'Backs scored three to go up by a comfortable margin going into the final frame and a half. Stephen Drew had a solid game at the dish, going 3-4 with a double, and Chris Young stayed hot with the lumber. On the mound, Randy Johnson earned his second victory of the young season in another solid outing. The Big Unit claimed six strikeout victims in the outing, and Arizona improved to 6-2 on the year.

WP: Randy Johnson (2-0) - 8 IP, 6 K, 7 H, R
LP: Michael O'Connor (0-2) - 6.1 IP, 5 K, 7 H, 2 ER
SV: Brandon Lyon (1)



Stephen Drew - 3-4, 2B, RBI
Orlando Hudson - 1-3, 3 RBI
Chris Young - 3-4, 2B



Brandon Harper - 2-4, 2B, RBI
Christian Guzman - 1-3

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Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

D'backs Leave Cincy Seeing Red
Arizona took 2 out of 3 in home opening series
Record: 7-3


Stephen Drew hit three home runs in against Cincinnati

Game One
Arizona Diamondbacks 2, Cincinnati Reds 6

Against Bronson Arroyo, Stephen Drew started the scoring for Arizona with his first home run of the season to left field. Later, Orlando Hudson would extend the lead to 2-0 on his first dinger of the year. In the eighth, the Reds finally fought back against Livan Hernandez, scoring two and knotting the score. With the bases still loaded, Edwin Encarnacion delivered with a huge grand slam that eventually gave Cincy the victory.

WP: Bronson Arroyo (1-0) - 7 IP, 10 K, 7 H, 2 ER
LP: Livan Hernandez (0-2) - 7.1 IP, 8 K, 6 H, 5 ER



Stephen Drew - 1-5, HR (1)
Orlando Hudson - 2-4, 2B, HR (1)
Chad Tracy - 3-4



Edwin Encarnacion - 2-4, Grand Slam (1)
Adam Dunn - 1-4, 2B, RBI
Alex Gonzalez - 2-4, RBI


Game Two
Arizona Diamondbacks 8, Cincinnati Reds 0

Behind Doug Davis, the D'backs got revenge after an agonizing loss to the Reds the previous day. Stephen Drew had a monster day at the plate, going 4-5 with his second and third home runs of the year. Chad Tracy also pitched in with four hits, including three doubles, and Conor Jackson hit two doubles of his own. In the end, Eric Milton was pinned with the loss for the Reds as the Snakes rolled.

WP: Doug Davis (2-0) - 7 IP, 10 K, H
LP: Eric Milton (0-1) - 4.2 IP, 3 K, 10 H, 3 ER



Stephen Drew - 4-5, 2B, 2 HR (3), 4 RBI
Orlando Hudson - 2-5, 2B
Chad Tracy - 4-5, 3 2B, RBI
Conor Jackson - 2-4, 2 2B
Chris Young - 2-5
Carlos Quentin - 2-3, 2B, RBI



Jeff Conine - 1-3
Adam Dunn - 0-3, 3 K
Ken Griffey Jr. - 0-3, 3 K


Game Three
Arizona Diamondbacks 4, Cincinnati Reds 3

Brandon Webb took the mound for the D'backs in the rubber match of the series, and Arizona expected their ace to dominate on the warm afternoon. However, after Webb plunked two batters in the fourth inning, the defending Cy Young winner was ejected from the game. Edgar Gonzalez pitched the remaining 5.1 innings for the D'backs and did exceptionally well. The young right-hander didn't allow a single run against the Reds, and Jeff DeVanon's pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth gave Arizona another W.

WP: Edgar Gonzalez (1-0) - 5.1 IP, 6 K, 2 H
LP: Mike Stanton (0-3) - .1 IP, K, 2 H, ER
- Brandon Webb (ARI) - 3.2 IP, 2 K, 6 H, 3 ER
- Kyle Lohse (CIN) - 6 IP, 4 K, 6 H, 3 ER



Chad Tracy - 2-4, 2B, 3B, RBI
Conor Jackson - 2-4, 2B
Carlos Quentin - 1-3, HR (1), 2 RBI
Jeff DaVanon - 1-1, RBI



Edwin Encarnacion - 2-4
Dave Ross - 0-4, 4 K
Kyle Lohse - 1-3, 2 RBI

[Brandon13]

Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

What happened to your Braves dynasty?

[Psyblast]

Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

What happened to your Braves dynasty?

The stats were a bit ridiculous, and I wanted to try out a really young team.

*cough*

[skitch]

Re: Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB 2K7)

LOL, I appreciate it, Psyblast.

Thanks for checking in, guys. Sorry I haven't been updating this one nearly as often, I've been enjoying the first couple of weeks of summer. I should start updating this more and more often.

Edit: I'm an idiot. I just realized that I never loaded the Opening Day rosters... look for a new thread soon, because I have a thing about at least starting a franchise with current rosters.