Dan Haren News: Pro Sports Daily

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August 15

Arizona Republic

"One of the hotter pitchers in baseball finally cooled off a bit Friday night, and one of the better ones who had been fighting his command rediscovered the strike zone. The result was a 4-1 victory for Dan Haren and the Diamondbacks against Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers in front of a loud and lively crowd of 31,573 at Chase Field. "A great win, and that was a great ballgame," Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said. "Coming off a day off, LA is in town. We answered the bell. I'm happy with our intensity and our emotion." Haren had struggled in his previous four starts, going 1-2 with a 6.26 ERA, but he breezed through the first four innings and left after eight having allowed ..."

D-backs official: Haren staying

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July 28

Foxsports.com

"Lest we start wondering if another ace might be thrust into the midseason swap meet, one senior Diamondbacks official said emphatically Tuesday morning that Dan Haren isn't going anywhere. Haren is under contract through 2013. He's been among the best pitchers in baseball this year — 10-5 record, 2.14 ERA, 141 strikeouts in 143 innings — and figures to be entering his prime at age 28. "We're not trading him," the Arizona official said. "We don't want to change our core.""

Angels focusing on acquiring pitching

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July 23

Foxsports.com

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"The Angels, after inquiring on Halladay and Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren, are focused almost entirely on adding bullpen help. Orioles closer George Sherrill and Indians right-hander Rafael Betancourt are among the Angels' options. Another Orioles reliever who could be in play, though not necessarily for the Angels: Left-hander Mark Hendrickson, who has a 2.53 ERA and .633 opponents' OPS in 21 relief appearances. The Rockies, badly in need of bullpen help, are among the teams talking with the Orioles about right-hander Danys Baez."

Haren deserves to start All-Star Game

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July 13

Arizona Republic

columnist Paola Bolvin

"Miguel Montero calls him nasty. Doug Davis calls him scary. Charlie Manuel should call him an All-Star Game starter. With half-hearted apologies to Tim Lincecum, Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren deserves the nod. He is cursed by one of the game's more misleading statistics - win-loss record - blessed by one of the better repertoire's in baseball. He made a heck of a final push Friday night with a performance that was vintage Haren: 10 strikeouts and one walk in an 8-0 complete-game victory over Florida. "There are a lot of great pitchers in the National League," Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said. "I'll take Dan Haren over any of them." Like Haren, San Francisco's Lincecum, 25, has ..."

Arizona Diamondbacks' Dan Haren shuts down Florida Marlins

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July 11

Miami Herald

"The Arizona Diamondbacks have discovered the cure for the hangover. It's called Dan Haren. Less than 24 hours after the Marlins gave them a royal headache with a late-inning comeback victory, the Diamondbacks rolled out their staff ace on Friday to ease the pain. The All-Star pitcher did exactly that, silencing a Marlins offense that the night before had erupted for one of the biggest outbursts in franchise history, overcoming a 7-0 deficit to win 14-7. Not only didn't the Marlins produce another 10-run inning like the one they manufactured in Thursday's eighth inning, but Haren held them scoreless over all nine frames as the Diamondbacks prevailed, 8-0. ''Hands down the best I've faced ..."

Haren, Upton named NL All-Stars

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July 5

Arizona Republic

"Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren and right fielder Justin Upton are going to St. Louis. Third baseman Mark Reynolds might join them. Haren and Upton were named to the National League All-Star team on Sunday morning, Haren's third straight year as an All-Star, the first for Upton. Reynolds is one of five candidates for the Final Vote, where fans decide the 33rd and final player on the team. We couldn't get reaction from Haren (he's the starting pitcher today), but Upton was as excited as you would expect and Reynolds sounded honored to be a finalist but, of course, would have rather been on the team outright. "It's awesome," Upton said. "I'm pumped about the selection and getting to go ..."

Haren acing the opposition

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June 28

East Valley Tribune

"Dan Haren's numbers are astounding. While injuries and inconsistency have spoiled the Diamondbacks' season, their ace trudges on, continuing to show he is one of the elite pitchers in major league baseball. He leads National League starters in ERA (2.25), batting average against (.191), walks and hits per inning pitched (0.82) and quality starts (14). He is a lock to be added to the National League All-Star team, and could be in the running to start the contest. "What can I say, man?" catcher Miguel Montero said. "That guy's nasty. He's the best pitcher in the big leagues right now." Haren's ability to command four pitches might be the easiest way to explain his success. His fastball, ..."

Haren tosses 2-hitter vs. Astros

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June 13

Arizona Republic

"Dan Haren needed a victory Friday night in the worst way. And his Diamondbacks teammates owed it to him. They all came away satisfied after Haren pitched a gem and the Diamondbacks had 13 hits and three home runs en route to a 8-1 rout of the Houston Astros in front of 22,225 at Chase Field. Haren pitched a two-hitter for his eighth career complete game and second of the season. This after he was let down by Arizona's bullpen in both of his previous two starts. He left with 6-1 and 5-1 leads, respectively, only to get two no-decisions. The frustration had been building for the right-hander, who was so upset after his previous start that he left without speaking to reporters. "He was in ..."

Haren provides relief for bullpen

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May 29

Arizona Republic

"Make any bullpen contend with extra innings, a doubleheader and abbreviated outings from the starting rotation, and the results aren't going to be pretty. For a bullpen that's not all that good to begin with, it was disastrous. For the past week, the Diamondbacks have had to deal with the repercussions of an overworked bullpen, but on Thursday night, right-hander Dan Haren helped restore some balance to the relievers' topsy-turvy world. Of course, Haren also lost his balance at one point during the Diamondbacks' 5-2 win over the Atlanta Braves, tumbling to the mound and sending heart rates racing at Chase Field during the eighth inning. But Haren dusted himself off and finished the ..."

D-Backs' Haren to keep Monday start

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May 18

Arizona Republic

"With Sunday's rained out game, Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said he will keep right-hander Dan Haren on his normal schedule, meaning he will pitch Monday in Florida as originally scheduled. Sunday's scheduled starter, Jon Garland, will pitch on Tuesday, but the club has not announced any scheduled starters beyond that. "The guys on the back end, we're going to have to address at a later date," Hinch said. The club has the option of skipping rookie right-hander Bryan Augenstein in the rotation in the Marlins series. That surely would come as a disappointment to Augenstein, a Florida native whose hometown, Sebastian, is three hours north of Miami."

Haren receives much-needed support

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April 23

Arizona Republic

"How big was it? Mark Reynolds bear-hugged him. In the middle of the inning. Right there in the Diamondbacks dugout for all to see. Dan Haren finally received some run support Wednesday. Two runs, mind you, won't scare anybody, but it's all Haren needs these days. He's been that good. "Danny, he's been lights-out," Reynolds said after the Diamondbacks beat the Rockies 2-0 at Chase Field "We finally got him a run and it was like the gorilla was off our back." Through three starts, Haren was 0-3 with a 1.89 ERA. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he was only the second pitcher since 1983 to lose his first three starts and keep an ERA under 2.00. Frustration was building. After manager ..."

D-Backs' 'odd couple' hold key to success

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April 6

Arizona Republic

"In some ways, they are an unusual match, Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, the Diamondbacks' Nos. 1 and 1A pitchers. Webb is the go-with-the-flow, easygoing country boy, someone who admitted last month it is often easier to agree with a reporter's incorrect question than it is to go to the trouble of fully explaining himself. Haren is the over-analyzer, the one whose mind constantly is at work. More than likely, he already has mapped out not only what teams he is scheduled pitch against this season but the opposing pitchers with whom he will match up. But the two became fast friends during their first season together, and each seems to rely on the other nearly as much as the Diamondbacks rely ..."

Webb, Haren lean toward sitting out Classic

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September 20

Arizona Republic

"The World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place for the second time in March, and Diamondbacks right-handers Brandon Webb and Dan Haren figure to be top candidates once Team USA begins to assemble a roster. Although they acknowledged how enticing the experience would be, Webb and Haren sounded Friday as if they would lean toward declining the opportunity to participate in the tournament. Both said their top priority is to be ready for the major-league season. "I don't know if they will ask me, but I've thrown a lot of innings this year, and I don't know if I want to be ready to be in a game situation at that point in the year," said Webb, who declined an invitation to pitch in the ..."

Haren, Zito still support each other

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September 9

East Valley Tribune

"Dan Haren and Barry Zito formed a bond in Oakland that neither time nor trades can destroy. So when Zito struggled early in the year, Haren was there to commiserate and offer words of support. The first text message Haren received after his 7-0 loss in Los Angeles on Friday was from Zito, and the two texted back and forth for 20 minutes. "It's funny - the things I was telling him early in the season are the same things he was telling me," said Haren, who will make his next start Wednesday, missing pitching against Zito by a day. "He gave me the same advice back. When you are trying to do too much, you press. He helped me a lot in '05 (when they were teammates in Oakland). He's always been ..."

A D-Backs' ace could grab Cy Young

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August 19

Arizona Republic

"When reporters approached Dan Haren in the spring and asked him about the Diamondbacks' newest dominating pitching duo, he couldn't help but roll his eyes a little. He believed that he and teammate Brandon Webb could be one of the better tandems in baseball, but comparisons to Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling? Come on. "I thought they were going way overboard," Haren said. Haren still thinks the comparisons are a little much, but after 4 1/2 months of overpowering pitching, they are beginning to have some merit. The two have combined for 31 wins, each has a sub-3.00 ERA, both are on pace for at least 220 innings and are legitimate candidates to win the National League Cy Young Award. If ..."

Haren, D-Backs agree on contract extension

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August 5

East Valley Tribune

"Recognizing quality when they saw it, the Diamondbacks reworked Dan Haren’s contract to keep him with the team through 2013. The D-Backs guaranteed an additional $31.5 million to Haren, who leads the major leagues with 19 quality starts this season and with 88 since 2005. “He’s been everything we could have hoped for, and more,” general manager Josh Byrnes said. “He knows what winning is all about, and he believes we are about to win here.” Haren (12-5) won his fourth start Monday. “I’m not the mentality kind of guy who wants to and make a huge contract,” Haren said. “They approach me. I wanted to stay.” Haren, 27, is to make $7.5 million in 2009 and $8.25 million in 2010, small raises ..."

D-Backs' bats bail out Haren in win over Pirates

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August 5

East Valley Tribune

"For once, it was the offense bailing out Dan Haren. The Diamondbacks right-hander was touched up for four runs in six innings - his worst outing since May 27 - but the bats pounded out a season-high 18 hits for a 13-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday at Chase Field. It was the most hits for Arizona (58-54) since getting 18 on Sept. 20, 2006, against San Diego. "He's definitely gone out there and given up one run and we don't get him the win," third baseman Mark Reynolds said of Haren. "Tonight, we helped him out." Reynolds went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs and Chris Young went 3-for-4 to snap an 0-for-18 slump. The win pushed the D-Backs' NL West lead to 1 1/2 games over ..."

Haren, Team Still Talking

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July 28

East Valley Tribune

"While the trade deadline has kept the front office occupied, the D-Backs have remained in conversations with Dan Haren about a long-term contract extension. "Talks have progressed," said Haren, who was first approached a few weeks before the D-Backs played Oakland in mid-June. "It's been pretty much a continuous dialogue for a couple of months now. I'm pretty optimistic something will happen, but it's so hard doing stuff during this time. It's obviously a busy time for the team right now." Haren (10-5) took over the NL ERA lead at 2.56 in a 10-2 win over the Giants on Friday, his 10th consecutive quality start. He is to earn $5.5 million in 2009 with the D-Backs holding a $6.75 million ..."

Keys to playing in October? Webb, Haren

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July 20

East Valley Tribune

columnist Scott Bordow

"A friend called last week to chide me about an article I had written mentioning the Diamondbacks and the World Series in the same sentence. It does seem rather silly, given that Arizona is 20-33 since May 18 and seems to discover a new problem every other night. But there's a good reason the Diamondbacks could do some damage come October. Actually, there are two reasons. Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. Or is that Dan Haren and Brandon Webb? Either way, the pair of aces provide comfort on those nights when the Diamondbacks look like the Keystone Kops. And you can't help but think about the possibilities."

D-Backs hang on for Haren, edge Dodgers

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July 20

East Valley Tribune

"No matter how well he pitches, a win is never easy to come by for Dan Haren. He earned the National League Pitcher of the Month award for his work in June, and that’s been followed up by three more dazzling starts in July, yet Haren hasn’t even hit double digits in wins yet. At least he’s finally to nine. Haren threw seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits and never letting a runner past second base as the Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 3-2 on Saturday night at Chase Field to regain sole possession of first place in the NL West."

Haren battles through illness in win

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July 20

Arizona Republic

"Nasty, catcher Miguel Montero said, was the way to describe Dan Haren's gritty performance. "He didn't have his best stuff out there. . . . But he battled and kept battling," he said after the Diamondbacks held off the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Saturday night and moved back into first place in the National League West. Make that nasty and sick - literally. Haren (9-5) was battling a sore throat and an upset stomach as much as he was opposing hitters. "I woke up, a little sore throat and didn't have much energy, but throughout the course of the year, you can't feel great every game," he said. "I went out there and did the best I could. Fortunately I had some good defense.""

D-Backs’ Haren pauses for All-Star appearance

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July 15

East Valley Tribune

"Mark Ellis approached Dan Haren with a complaint after the former teammates faced each other for the first time last month. The pause right-hander Haren uses in his delivery “messed me up,” Ellis told Haren. That, of course, is the idea in the pitcher/hitter push-and-pull. For Haren, however, the subversion of timing is an incidental byproduct of a device he uses to keep his proper mechanics. Haren, whose first season with the Diamondbacks includes a second invitation to the All-Star Game, starts his delivery as most, rocking back on his right leg while bringing his left leg up and his hands to a set position as he twists his body toward the plate. Then a funny thing happens. ..."

Haren OK with not starting, Webb officially out

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July 15

Arizona Republic

"Last year, when Dan Haren found out he would be the starting pitcher in the All-Star Game for the American League, he heard about it two nights beforehand. This year, when the Diamondbacks right-hander didn't hear anything Sunday night, he figured out what it meant. "I kind of expected not to start," said Haren, who figures to pitch in relief tonight, as National League manager Clint Hurdle gave the starting nod to Milwaukee's Ben Sheets."

Webb, Haren selected for All-Star Game

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July 7

Arizona Republic

"As he walked into the interview room, a step behind Dan Haren, a smiling Brandon Webb joked, "The dynamic duo in the desert . . . " His assessment was a good one. Webb and Haren, named Sundayto the National League pitching staff for the July 15 All-Star Game in New York, are a potent duo - Webb (12-4, 3.43 ERA) is tied for the major-league lead in wins, and Haren's sparkling statistics belie his 8-5 record. "As far as tandems go, I don't know if there's a better one-two punch," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "Both of them have been fabulous as far as their record and psychological effect for us."

D-Backs Haren named NL pitcher of month

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July 3

East Valley Tribune

"Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for June on Wednesday. Haren went 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA while recording 36 strikeouts and allowing six earned runs on 25 hits with eight walks in 41 innings."

Haren: Fastball sizzle is back

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June 25

Arizona Republic

"When Dan Haren needed that little extra something on his fastball Monday night, all he had to do was reach back and fire it. Those extra mph were there in the tank, waiting for the right moment. It wasn't like that earlier in the season. Haren hit 95 mph on three consecutive pitches to Boston slugger Manny Ramirez in the fourth inning of the Diamondbacks' 2-1 win in the first game of the series. Earlier this season, Haren said he sat at 90-91 mph and bumped it up to 92-93 mph in crucial situations. Lately, everything has been a little harder."

Webb, Haren living up to top billing

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June 25

East Valley Tribune

"When Dan Haren was obtained, the Diamondbacks believed they had one of the best 1-2 punches atop a starting rotation, if not the best, in the major leagues. It is hard to argue with the numbers, and manager Bob Melvin believes each has made a case for inclusion on the 2008 NL All-Star team. Webb (11-4, 3.23 ERA) leads the NL and is tied for the major league lead in victories. Haren (8-4, 3.04) leads the major leagues in hits and walks per inning, 0.96, and leads NL starting pitchers in strikeout to walk ratio at 4 to 1."

Diamondbacks’ Dan Haren tough to beat

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June 24

Boston Herald

"Unlike most of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Dan Haren knew exactly what to expect at Fenway Park last night, both from the fans and the guys in the other dugout. Haren proved up to the challenge. The majority of the Diamondbacks had never played at Fenway. Haren made three previous starts at the home of the Red Sox as a member of the Oakland Athletics - and lost all three. Last night, in delivering his finest start in what has been a fine season, the right-hander allowed just two hits in seven scoreless innings of a 2-1 victory against the Red Sox."

Red Sox’ frustration runs deep

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June 24

Boston Herald

"Josh Beckett knew going into last night’s game that he needed to pitch both deep and well. He accomplished both, pitching eight innings. It still was not enough. Arizona’s Dan Haren did not last as long as Beckett, but he did pitch better, surrendering no runs and only two hits in seven innings as the Diamondbacks won the first game of an interleague matchup between the first-place teams, 2-1."

A's notes: Old friends Blanton, Haren face each other tonight

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June 18

San Francisco Chronicle

"Arizona starter Dan Haren knows exactly what Joe Blanton will be trying to do tonight when the two friends go against each other at Chase Field. "I'm sure he's going to come out of his shoes trying to hit a home run," Haren said. Blanton, told this assessment, grinned and nodded. "Yeah, pretty much," the Oakland right-hander said. "Being an American League pitcher, it's really a win-win situation. If you strike out, well, you're not supposed to get a hit. And if you swing out of your shoes and make contact and bloop one in, it's all good. I'm going to go up there with that approach." Haren, who keeps close tabs on everything taking place in baseball, had figured out weeks ago that ..."

So far, so good for A's end of Haren deal

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June 17

San Francisco Chronicle

"Sometimes, there's precious little history or subplot to recommend interleague series. Florida at Seattle? Cleveland at Colorado? But the A's go into Arizona tonight with plenty to spark discussion - namely the eight-player deal in December that sent Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks and brought six prospects to Oakland. "I've been looking forward to it since the day I got traded and saw this series was on the schedule," Haren said by phone Monday. "If I wasn't pitching in it, it might be even more fun - then I could sit back and watch it." Three of the players A's general manager Billy Beane collected already are in the big leagues."