Snake bites

• D-backs outfielder Jason Kubel is suffering from a sore quad and hasn't started a game since Sunday. He has pinch-hit twice in that span, and Gibson said he could play if needed, but the club is being cautious with him until the soreness subsides.

"He's sore," Gibson said. "We're trying to do what's best for him and get this resolved."

• Gibson has taken some heat a couple of times this season for pulling his starters with a low pitch count while working on a shutout. Back on April 30, Gibson took Trevor Cahill out after he allowed a base hit to begin the ninth inning when he had only thrown 88 pitches. Then, on Sunday, Gibson pulled Brandon McCarthy after completing eight shutout innings in only 88 pitches against the Phillies.

On both occasions the bullpen blew the lead and the D-backs eventually lost the games. Gibson was asked Wednesday what goes into his decisions when considering to let his starters finish off games or go to the bullpen.

"It'll vary for certain guys," he said. "If he's done it before, how he's feeling, what his mechanics are, if he's younger or older. It just depends."

• Gerardo Parra continues to impress at the top of the D-backs' lineup, entering Wednesday's game with a .312 average to go along with three homers and 11 RBIs. He also has the highest wins above replacement rating of any Arizona player, at 2.5.

"He's just maturing," Gibson said. "He's got great enthusiasm, I shake my head at him sometimes, but he's got great confidence and he understands how to use his tools. It's taken a long time for him to harness them. You don't realize he's a young kid, he's not very old. He has always gone about it the same way, he just wants to play."