Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen doesn’t want a let-up after hot start
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBA.J. Pollock talks about his big catch in D-Backs’ win over Giants | 1:24
Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock talks about his play on Aaron Hill’s third-inning drive and Jake Lamb’s go-ahead, three-run triple.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBRobbie Ray after tossing 6 2/3 shutout innings vs. Giants | 1:22
Lefty Robbie Ray worked around five walks and was helped by his defense in the Diamondbacks’ win over the Giants on Tuesday night.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTaijuan Walker discusses his errant throw vs. Giants | 1:48
Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker said he made a mistake by trying to throw home on a strange play against the Giants in Monday’s loss in San Francisco. Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks’ Patrick Corbin describes personal performance | 1:20
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Patrick Corbin talks about his personal performance so far this season after the team swept the series against the Indians, April 9, 2017. (Bob McManaman/azcentral sports)
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Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley disagree on the NBA MVP and share their thoughts on the D-Backs’ hot start.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on D-Backs’ sweep against the Indians | 1:03
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo discusses the team’s win against the Indians, sweeping the series, April 9, 2017. (Bob McManaman/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks’ hot start by the numbers | 0:46
Breaking down the Diamondbacks’ fantastic start to the 2017 season. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBZack Greinke after strong start vs. Indians | 1:59
Right-hander Zack Greinke gave up just one run in 6 2/3 innings against the Indians as the Diamondbacks rolled to another victory.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo talks about the D-Backs’ win against the Indians | 1:55
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo talks about the team’s ups and downs in a win against the Indians, April 7, 2017. (Bob McManaman/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBD-Backs’ Shelby Miller describes starting his 2017 season | 1:42
D-Backs’ Shelby Miller talks about his 2017 season start in a win against the Cleveland Indians, April 7, 2017. (Bob McManaman/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBShot Clock: What D-Backs’ good start means | 1:59
azcentral sports’ Mark Faller and Dan Bickley discuss the D-Backs’ start to the season as well as the retirement of Shane Doan.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDavid Peralta on hot start: ‘We’re ready for anybody’ | 1:24
Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta discusses Thursday’s win over the Giants.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBD-Backs manager Lovullo on starting year 3-1 | 1:06
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses his team’s 3-1 start to the season.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo on using humidor for baseballs at Chase Field.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTaijuan Walker on his first D-Backs start | 1:34
Starting pitcher Taijuan Walker discusses his first start in a Diamondbacks uniform on Wednesday against the Giants. Bob McManaman/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win over Giants | 1:31
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his club’s 8-6 win over the Giants on Wednesday. Bob McManaman/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBShot Clock: Answer to D-Backs’ shortstop question? | 1:50
The Diamondbacks need a shortstop. Scott Bordow and Jay Dieffenbach discuss that and the Hamilton hazing scandal in the Shot Clock.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBChris Owings talks about his fifth-inning error | 1:04
Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings talks about his error in the Giants’ five-run fifth inning.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBPatrick Corbin after loss to Giants | 1:40
Diamondbacks lefty Patrick Corbin talks about his outing vs. the Giants and his struggles to retire Hunter Pence.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBDiamondbacks dedicate ‘Paul Goldschmidt Field’ | 4:35
The Arizona Diamondbacks dedicated Paul Goldschmidt Field in Goodyear on April 4, 2017. It’s the 39th “Diamonds Back” Field in Arizona. Video: Arizona Diamondbacks
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBFormer Dodgers star Pedro Guerrero in critical condition | 0:58
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBChris Owings discusses his walk-off hit vs. Giants | 1:39
Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings delivered the game-winning hit on Sunday vs. the Giants.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBTorey Lovullo on his emotional first win as D-Backs’ manager | 1:15
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about the hug he gave walk-off hero Chris Owings and about his first win in his new job.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBZack Greinke after his start vs. Giants on Opening Day | 1:27
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke gave up two runs in five innings against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday at Chase Field.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBWhat is in store for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017? | 2:41
Diamondbacks insider Nick Piecoro and Jay Dieffenbach talk about the upcoming baseball season. The lineup appears to be solid. What about the pitching staff? Video: Cheryl Evans/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBMLB’s 100 Names to Know for 2017 | 1:17
USA TODAY Sports released its annual list of players to watch for in the upcoming season. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLBBehind the scenes at Diamondbacks Photo Day | 1:36
The Diamondbacks had their photos taken on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 at Salt River Fields.
A.J. Pollock talks about his big catch in D-Backs’ win over Giants
Robbie Ray after tossing 6 2/3 shutout innings vs. Giants
Taijuan Walker discusses his errant throw vs. Giants
Diamondbacks’ Patrick Corbin describes personal performance
Shot Clock: NBA MVP and surprising D-Backs
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ sweep against the Indians
Diamondbacks’ hot start by the numbers
Zack Greinke after strong start vs. Indians
Torey Lovullo talks about the D-Backs’ win against the Indians
D-Backs’ Shelby Miller describes starting his 2017 season
Shot Clock: What D-Backs’ good start means
David Peralta on hot start: ‘We’re ready for anybody’
D-Backs manager Lovullo on starting year 3-1
D-Backs manager Lovullo on using humidor for baseballs
Taijuan Walker on his first D-Backs start
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win over Giants
Shot Clock: Answer to D-Backs’ shortstop question?
Chris Owings talks about his fifth-inning error
Patrick Corbin after loss to Giants
Diamondbacks dedicate ‘Paul Goldschmidt Field’
Former Dodgers star Pedro Guerrero in critical condition
How to watch every baseball game in 2017
Chris Owings discusses his walk-off hit vs. Giants
Torey Lovullo on his emotional first win as D-Backs’ manager
Zack Greinke after his start vs. Giants on Opening Day
What is in store for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017?
MLB’s 100 Names to Know for 2017
Behind the scenes at Diamondbacks Photo Day
SAN FRANCISCO – Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen wants his team to enjoy its hot start. He just doesn’t want anyone to forget all the things they did to make it happen.
“It’s all positive getting off to a good start,” Hazen, the club’s first-year GM, said. “It’s something where guys can build confidence. They can feel good about themselves. I think it helps build a good atmosphere on a daily basis because at the end of the night, you’re shaking hands a lot.
“We do need to keep it in perspective and make sure that everyone understands, all the way through the organization, that we have a lot of work to do and keep doing those things. And remind ourselves that how you get to this point in time with your record is through all the work that got put in. And that can’t stop, even through a long season.”
The Diamondbacks entered Wednesday night’s series finale at AT&T Park tied for the best start in franchise history after nine games at 7-2. It was also the best record in the majors, a half-game better than two other surprise clubs, the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels, both of whom were 6-2.
The Diamondbacks have been getting contributions from everywhere on the roster. Their starting rotation owns a 3.04 ERA, third-best in the league. Their bullpen ranks eighth at 4.25, which isn’t great but qualifies as a significant improvement over last year’s team, which had the majors’ fourth-worst ERA at 4.94.
And, of course, the offense has been tremendous, ranking among the league leaders in most categories even after scoring just eight runs in the past three games.
They’ve been at their best this season not only rallying from deficits in the middle innings, but also delivering with runners in scoring position, with hits coming in big moments.
It happened again late in Tuesday night’s 4-3 win over the Giants, when Chris Iannetta lined a run-scoring single in the eighth inning to give them an insurance run that turned out to be important.
Hazen likes the fact that his team’s offense hasn’t been overly reliant on just one or two hot hitters. He wants to say that sort of one-through-nine mentality will be this club’s identity, but he’s hesitant to make any declarations so early in the season.
“Watching us come back from early deficits, I think, shows a level of confidence in each other no matter what the situation presents,” he said. “I think not only showing the ability to come back gives confidence to your team, I think it plants seeds in the other team that this team is not just going to roll over if we go up by two or three runs, so we’d better stay on our game.”
But, really, there hasn’t been much to dislike about the way the Diamondbacks have played. Hazen knows this, but he knows there’s another 5 1/2 months worth of games to play.
“We know it’s the first week of the season and we haven’t earned anything yet,” he said. “We have to keep earning it. We’re playing some good teams, which is good. I think it’s a good mark for us to measure ourselves against in a lot of ways, but there’s a long way to go.”
Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.