Snake bites

• The D-backs have not decided yet whether or not to go with a six-man rotation in September.

"We haven't had any further discussion about it," manager Kirk Gibson said. "We've talked about it on occasion, but we haven't made that decision yet."

• The D-backs are still finalizing their list of September callups.

"We'll probably end up calling up a couple guys on Sunday and then more on the third [Sept. 3]," general manager Kevin Towers said. "I don't think there's going to be any huge surprises."

• Despite long odds to make the playoffs, Gibson continues to believe his team will make a late push.

A reason for his belief, he said, is how well the team has played in extra-inning games this year and how they've dealt with the adversity those games have provided.

"I think it's been a good sign, how we've handled it," Gibson said. "It's one thing that tells you that somehow, someway we're going to figure something out here and get into it. The team doesn't bellyache about what's not going good at all. They focus on the current task, the task at hand and we've been very good at it."