Owings was lights out on the mound, pitching 6 1/3 scoreless innings before a rain delay forced him out.  He was also on fire at the plate, going 4-4, with three doubles and three RBI.  Nothing like a pitcher who can help his own cause, especially when the team has not been hitting.  But offense was not the problem today.  Fellow Georgian Stephen Drew joined the hitting party, going 3-5, with three RBI and two runs scored.  His solo homer in the first inning got the Diamondbacks on the board.  Augie Ojeda went 2-4, with a walk, and three runs scored.  Tony Clark contributed a home run.

Eric Byrnes finally remembered what it’s like to get an RBI (83), when he singled (178) home Stephen Drew in the second inning for his first RBI since September 12.  However, he got picked off first on the third pickoff attempt, after taking very aggressive leads off first.  To make matters worse, he hurt himself sliding back into first on the second pickoff attempt.  I don’t know exactly what was the problem, but the camera showed him grimacing.  His other at-bats were anything but memorable.  He stranded 4 runners.  One time he struck out after running the count to 3-0.  It looked like he swung at ball four.  And while we’ll take an RBI single any day of the week, it would be nice if he remembered once again what it’s like to get an extra-base hit.  Diamondbacks broadcaster Daron Sutton mentioned the dipping back shoulder that Mark Grace pointed out during the last homestand.  That it’s still there means that either no one has brought it to Eric’s attention, or he hasn’t been able to break the habit.  His batting average is now down to .288. Maybe Byrnes needs to get Micah Owings to give him some tips on hitting doubles.  Why not?  They’re both right-handed hitters.

Arizona and Pittsburgh played the first game of the day in the major leagues.  So their results are known to the Padres, Rockies and Phillies as they go into their contests.

The bad weather in Pittsburgh now allows Arizona ace Brandon Webb to go up against the Rockies.  He starts the first game of the series tomorrow against Jeff Francis.

Go, Diamondbacks!