Kennedy Cruises Through Second Spring Start

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

Photography: Jordan Megenhardt
By Greg Dillard
It was a perfect day for baseball at Salt River Fields on Friday as the Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the San Diego Padres in front of a sellout crowd. 
In his second outing of the Spring, Ian Kennedy made it look easy on the mound as he mowed through the Padres’ lineup. Kennedy is counted on to be an important piece of the D-backs rotation once again this season, and the right-hander clearly threw well on Friday.
In the first inning, Kennedy allowed a leadoff single to Eric Patterson, who was then caught stealing by D-backs catcher Miguel Montero. Kennedy struck out Jason Bartlett looking and retired Orlando Hudson via a groundout to first base.
Kennedy said his command was much improved from his first outing.
“I think as soon as you get your rhythm down, your timing is all there,” Kennedy said. “My fastball command was good. There’s some times where I missed my spot, but it helped because I got some outs on it too.” 
Kennedy also said he has been watching film of his previous starts to gauge where his tempo and rhythm was. 
In the top of the second inning, Jorge Cantu grounded out to third for the first out of the inning. Kennedy then froze Chris Denorfia on a breaking ball for a strikeout. 
Jesus Guzman singled to center, but was stranded as Kennedy responded by getting the last out of the inning on an Aaron Cunningham fly out.
Kennedy’s third and final inning was even more impressive.
The first two batters of the inning: Guillermo Quiroz and Tim Stauffer both struck out. Patterson then grounded out to cap off the 1-2-3 frame.
That would be all for Kennedy as he finished with a final line of three innings, two hits and four strikeouts. 
“I was really happy with my tempo, my rhythm,” Kennedy said. “I wasn’t happy with that last time. Physically, I felt good my previous outing, but I wasn’t happy with my tempo. I was leaving too many balls over the plate. This time I felt like my tempo was good. I tried slowing down.”
Borchering sees time at third
Among the many D-backs prospects that have taken the field this Spring Training is third baseman Bobby Borchering. The former 2009 first round draft pick is starting to see more time at third base and in the batter’s box. 
In Friday’s matchup against the Padres, Borchering laced a two out single into left field in the bottom of the fifth. 
Borchering hopes to take advantage of the opportunities to play in the Major League games. 
“It’s great,” Borchering said. “Anytime you can get in there, get a chance to play in front of a lot of people like you will in the regular season and get in there and get a little action a little earlier, I feel is an advantage for me.” 
Last season, Borchering posted a .270 batting average with 15 home runs and 74 RBI while playing for Single-A South Bend. For his first full season in professional baseball, Borchering felt like it was a great learning experience. 
“South Bend was a great city for me,” Borchering said. “My manager, Haley, was just great working with me. I learned a lot through the year. It was a great year.” 
With his the start of his regular season over a month away, Borchering has high goals for the rest of Spring Training.
“My goals for the Spring are to try and keep a little bit of weight on,” Borchering said. “I can sometimes get weight off pretty quick. Trying to eat a little bit more, and rest a lot. Just mentally, get in my routines and sticking with those, and keeping things simple.”

D-backs Insider Podcast – Joe Paterson

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Photography: Jon Willey
By Greg Salvatore

Over the past two years, we’ve tried to not only increase the volume of information we produce with the D-backs Insider brand, but also vary the type of material.

In addition to our magazine, which is produced for every homestand throughout the season, you can find more day-to-day material here on D-blog, and more spur-of-the-moment material on Twitter (@Insider_Writer).

This is another branch for D-backs Insider. While there is extensive D-backs coverage of all kinds in the marketplace, I’ve felt that long-form interviews with people around the D-backs were lacking. This includes players, coaches, executives and local media, perhaps even national media and Major League Baseball executives.

We plan on using D-backs Insider Podcast to allow you to truly get to know who these people are, where they came from and what makes them tick.

Our first guest is D-backs left-handed reliever Joe Paterson, a Rule 5 pick this past winter.

Next week, our guest on the second D-backs Insider Podcast is starter Barry Enright. In the future, I’ll use Twitter try to solicit questions from you, the fans, to ask of our guests.

I hope you enjoy the Podcast, and I hope we keep improving it with each issue we produce.

To listen to the Podcast here, use this player:


To Download the Podcast (7.7MB), click here:

To stream the Podcast on your computer’s default audio player (ie – iTunes, Windows Media Player):

A Look This Weekend’s D-backs Pitching

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David Hernandez – Photography: Jordan Megehardt
By Greg Salvatore
Ian Kennedy is making his second start of the Spring today against the San Diego Padres (this is the last time the D-backs will see their San Diego rivals until the regular season).
We haven’t given you a pitching update in a few days, so here’s a look at the pitchers who will be toeing the rubber over the next four days.
Friday vs Padres at Salt River Fields
Ian Kennedy
Mike Hampton
Juan Gutierrez
Daniel Stange
Joe Paterson 
Leyson Septimo
Yonata Ortega
Jordan Norberto
Josh Collmenter
Saturday vs. Rangers at Salt River Fields
Barry Enright
Armando Galarraga
Micah Owings
Rafael Rodriguez
Jordan Norberto
Sam Demel
Kevin Mulvey
Sunday vs Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium
Joe Saunders
Wade Miley
Brian Sweeney
David Hernandez
Kam Mickolio
Esmerling Vasquez
Monday vs. Royals at Surprise Stadium
Aaron Heilman
J.J. Putz
Josh Collmenter
Zach Kroenke
Monday vs. White Sox at Kino Stadium in Tucson
Zach Duke
Kevin Mulvey
Carlos Rosa
Jarrod Parker
The highlight of this list, to me, appears to be J.J. Putz’s inning against the Royals on Monday. Putz has been throwing plenty of side sessions in Spring Training so far, but this will be his first game inning.  
David Hernandez has looked excellent, throwing three scoreless innings in his first three outings, with two strikeouts. He’s one of the best options for the eighth inning this year, a guy who can throw strikes, miss bats and performed at a high level in the AL East, the most vicious division in the league. 
Aaron Heilman has looked fantastic in both of his starts, giving up only one hit and no runs in five innings. When he signed as a free agent, he wanted an opportunity to start. He has taken that opportunity and run with it. While he has proven he’s a reliable bullpen arm in the past, any default thought that he’d go to the bullpen because of the starting depth on this team has now flown out the window. So far, he looks like he’s going to force the front office to make some tough decisions on the roster, which is exactly the kind of competition Kirk Gibson has been promoting this year.

Parker & Upton Shine in Peoria Thursday

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Photography: Jordan Megenhardt
By Greg Dillard
After making his 2011 Spring Training debut last week against the Colorado Rockies, D-backs pitcher Jarrod Parker returned to the mound on Thursday against the Padres.
The highly regarded prospect pounded the zone with strikes and threw two scoreless frames. 
With a 3-2 lead, Parker entered in the bottom of the fourth, and battled to a full count against Padres leadoff batter Luis Durango. Parker then retired Durango on a ground out to second base.
One batter later, Eric Patterson reached third base on a double and a stolen base. But Parker set down Chris Denorfia and pinch hitter Aaron Cunningham on fly outs to third baseman Geoff Blum, and got out of the inning unscathed. 
Similar to his first outing, Parker was able to tighten up and keep the opposing offense from scoring. 
“Definitely a lot more comfortable,” Parker said. “I relaxed a little bit. I threw a little less in the ‘pen going two innings. I wanted to get through the two clean and stay with a good energy level the whole time.”
Parker’s energy level certainly seemed rock solid when he returned to the rubber in the bottom of the fifth for his second inning of work. He picked up where he left off the inning before by retiring Chase Headley on a ground ball to Ryan Roberts at second base. 
The next batter, Nick Hundley, didn’t fare much better as he flew out to left field. 
After allowing a single to Oscar Salazar, Parker got Kevin Frandsen to fly out to center field to end the inning.
While Parker allowed three walks in his first outing, he did not issue a walk against the Padres. 
“I was getting over my front side, and getting ahead of guys,” Parker said. “Then going in and out as much as I could and just letting guys get themselves out versus trying to strike everybody out.” 
In his two innings, Parker threw 31 pitches, 20 of which were strikes.
“Much better (than his outing Monday),” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said of Parker. “I thought it was much better. Threw the ball better, ball was down more. Moved it all around better, had better location.” 
With Spring Training still in its early stages, Parker hopes to build off of each of his outings.
“I feel pretty good,” Parker said. “I’m just preparing for the season and I’m just trying to take each outing into the next one and keep building.” 
Upton heating up at plate
Most opposing pitchers are aware that when D-backs outfielder Justin Upton puts the barrel of the bat on the ball, it tends to go a long way. After doubling twice on Wednesday, the D-backs right fielder provided plenty of offense against San Diego on Thursday. 
Against the Padres, Upton singled in his first at-bat. Then in the top of the fourth inning he unloaded on a Greg Burke pitch, driving it into the left-field lawn seating for a two-run homer. 
That blast was Upton’s first home run of the Spring. 
“I just got a good pitch and hit it,” Upton said. “That’s what our goal is this Spring Training, get good pitches and put a good swing on it.”
While Upton has had a nice week at the plate, he is still not where he wants to be. 
“The more work we do out there in practice and beforehand helps us out,” Upton said. “As many days as we can get, as many reps as we can get in the game, the rust starts to come off. Near the end of Spring Training, you want to be comfortable. You get your work in now.”  

Pollock & Septimo Impressive on Wednesday

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Photography: Jordan Megenhardt 

By Greg Dillard 

With high expectations heading into Spring Training last season, A.J. Pollock saw his season lost almost immediately due to a fractured growth plate in his right elbow. 

A year later, Pollock has returned to the diamond for the D-backs. 

In Wednesday afternoon’s contest against the Seattle Mariners at Salt River Fields, Pollock got the starting nod in centerfield and played all nine innings. 

“It was awesome,” Pollock said. “Anytime you get to start up here, it’s incredible. Just try to keep it simple, try to make some plays.” 

His presence was immediately felt as the speedy outfielder raced into shallow centerfield to dive and catch the third out of the first inning. 

“I always felt like I had that speed game,” Pollock said. “It’s just a matter of keeping your legs healthy. Everyone here goes through times where your legs just feel slow. I felt really good today, felt good to show it off.” 

Pollock stepped to the plate in the bottom of the third inning and again showed off his speed by beating out an infield single. After striking out in the fourth, Pollock rebounded by drawing a walk against Seattle’s Edward Paredes. 

In his final plate appearance of the afternoon, Pollock followed a Wily Mo Pena single with a single of his own down the left field line. Pollock later scored from second base on a Paul Goldschmidt hit.

After a strong first Spring start, Pollock is eager to continue his early success. 

“Obviously, I just want to come out here and make an impression,” Pollock said. “That would be the number one. I just keep it simple. Make some plays, whether it’s with the bat, on the bases, or in the field.” 

While it was only one game for Pollock, it’s clear why the D-backs think highly of their former first round pick. 

“He’s a baseball player,” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. “Good energy. His game’s solid. He’s got good skills. Puts the bat on the ball, pretty good in the outfield. He’s really young, just a year out of college. Goes about his business the right way.” 

Septimo solid in Spring debut 

The D-backs have long known that Leyson Septimo owns a talented repertoire of pitches and a dominant fastball. It was all a matter of putting it all together on mound for the southpaw. 

Against the Mariners, Septimo certainly looked like he’s headed in the right direction. 

Septimo took the mound in the top of the seventh, and faced Michael Saunders to lead off the inning. He then quickly retired Saunders on a fly out to right field.

One batter later, Brendan Ryan smacked a ground ball back to Septimo who fielded his position well by hauling in the comebacker and throwing on to Juan Miranda at first base for the out.

Septimo then got Johermyn Chavez to ground out to third base to cap off the 1-2-3 inning. 

Septimo has struggled with command since converting to pitching in 2008, last year in particular, so having him command his pitches is certainly a positive sign for the D-backs.

Scoreless Innings for Enright, Parker in Spring Debuts

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Jarrod Parker – Photography: Jordan Megenhardt

 

By Greg Dillard

 

Last season, Barry Enright made a name for himself in Arizona after his promotion to the Major Leagues in June.

 

In 2011, Enright finds himself battling for a spot in the D-backs rotation and the right-hander certainly started Spring Training with a strong performance.

 

Enright made his Spring debut in the third inning of the D-backs’ 6-5 loss to the Rockies on Monday afternoon at Salt River Fields, and did not disappoint.

 

In his first inning of work, Enright swiftly retired Dexter Fowler on a pop out to the catcher. Enright then showed off his glove work as he scrambled to haul in a ground ball off the bat of Jonathan Herrera for the second out of the inning.

 

Enright capped off the 1-2-3 inning by inducing Charlie Blackmon into an inning ending ground out.

 

In the top of the fourth inning, Enright returned to the mound and promptly retired Troy Tulowitzi on a line out and Todd Helton on a fly out to the shortstop.

 

Chris Nelson stepped to the plate and smacked a double off the left field wall, but Enright rebounded by striking out Cole Garner to end the inning.

 

While Enright fell behind a few hitters, he was able to fight back and avoid walking anyone.

 

“I struggled actually getting ahead,” Enright said. “So that was kind of frustrating. But (I was) able to get some balls down in the zone, get a few ground outs, which helped. It was good to only give up one hit, but to get behind in the count like that, I can hurt myself. Just got to work on getting ahead.”

 

In the end, Enright posted an impressive final line of two innings, one strikeout and only one hit allowed.

 

Like for many of his fellow pitchers, Enright enjoyed returning to competition.

 

“It’s good to get back out there,” Enright said. “Had to wait till Monday to do it and was kind of anxious. Good to get back on the bump and get a few pitches under my belt.”

 

Following Enright, it was Jarrod Parker’s turn to make his 2011 debut.

 

After missing all of last season due to an elbow injury and Tommy John surgery, Parker and the D-backs have long awaited his return to the mound.

 

On Monday afternoon, the return finally arrived. 

 

“I was excited,” Parker said. “Just tried to stay within myself and be as calm as I can. The adrenaline was pumping and I was excited facing the Rockies, a pretty good lineup in today.”

 

In the top of the fifth, Parker retired the leadoff batter Matt Pagnozi via the strikeout. Parker did get in some trouble, issuing three walks in the inning. But with two outs and the bases loaded, Parker responded by getting Troy Tulowitzki to fly out to right field to end the threat.

 

That would be Parker’s lone inning on the afternoon as he finished with three walks, one strikeout, and no runs allowed.

 

“It’s good to get the inning under my belt and get some outs and battle a little bit,” Parker said. “It was fun.”

 

Monday afternoon photos by D-backs photographer Jordan Megehardt:

 

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

Galarraga, Enright, Parker Pitching Monday

Spring Training

Photography: Jordan Megenhardt

 

By Greg Salvatore

Twitter: Insider_Writer

 

If you’ve been yearning to get a look at D-backs pitching prospect Jarrod Parker in action, today is your day.

 

The young righty will pitch against the Colorado Rockies. Obviously, pitchers aren’t firing with 100 percent of their velocity this early in the spring, but you’ll be able to watch Parker in his first professional game since July 2009, at least his first outside of instructional league.

 

It will also be our first glimpse of Barry Enright so far this spring.

 

After a terrific big league debut in 2010, he’s fighting for a rotation spot alongside veterans Zach Duke, Aaron Heilman and Armando Galarraga. Coincidentally, Monday is our first look at Galarraga in a D-backs uniform as well.

 

Here’s a look at who will be taking the mound for the next three days (* – indicates first Spring Training outing):

 

Monday vs. Rockies at Salt River Fields:

Armando Galarraga *

Barry Enright *

Jarrod Parker *

David Hernandez

Esmerling Vasquez

Kam Mickolio

Zach Kroenke

Backups: Matt Gorgen, Leyson Septimo, Micah Owings

 

Tuesday vs. Rockies at Salt River Fields:

Joe Saunders

Wade Miley

Juan Gutierrez

Mike Hampton

Brian Sweeney

Micah Owings

Yonata Ortega

Rafael Rodriguez

Matt Gorgen *

Carlos Rosa

 

Wednesday, split squad:

vs Mariners at Salt River Fields

Aaron Heilman

Josh Collmenter

Sam Demel

Leyson Septimo *

Yonata Ortega

 

vs. Giants at Scottsdale Stadium

Zach Duke

Kevin Mulvey

Joe Paterson

Jordan Norberto

Daniel Stange

 

Follow me on Twitter (Insider_Writer) for in-game updates.

 

D-backs, Rockies Using Special Baseball at Salt River Fields

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Photography: Jordan MegenhardtBy Greg Salvatore

 

As if the home run ball or foul ball you catch at Salt River Fields this spring could be any cooler, well, it’s also historic.

 

The D-backs and Rockies will use special baseball with SRF logos on them throughout Spring Training. Although uniquely logoed baseballs are common in special events like the World Series or All Star Games, it is believed that this is the first time it has been done in Spring Training.

 

The Salt River Fields logo is based on a concept by local Pima artist and calendar stick carver Royce Manuel. Manuel chose to incorporate a rattlesnake to symbolize the D-backs and a mountain to symbolize the Rockies. The logo also emphasizes the scenic mountain ranges that surround Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and illustrates the role of the rattlesnake in southwestern Native American legends.

 

Zachary Mazefsky from www.bigleaguebaseballs.com posted a two-part blog on the subject. Mazefsky’s site chronicles the special edition baseballs that are used throughout the game.

 

From Part 1, in which Mazefsky introduces Salt River Fields:

 

Indeed, this is an MLB commissioner Allan “Bud” Selig officially stamped ROMLB gamer – not to be confused with any souvenir baseballs. And all fans attending spring training games will have a chance to snag one of these babies throughout the 2011 Cactus League season. So for our ballhawks on the site, if you’re in the area, get down to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and don’t forget your gloves.

 

I’ll post an update here when Mazefsky posts Part 2 on the subject, which includes an interview with D-backs Director of Special Projects (and friend & supporter of D-blog) Graham Rossini.

 

I’ll be here all day writing about the first game at Salt River Fields, and go ahead and follow me on Twitter (Insider_Writer) for a lot of updates, Twitpics and such.

New Pitchers Impress In Spring Debut

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Kam Mickolio — Photography: Jordan Megenhardt
By Greg Dillard
In front of a packed crowd at Scottsdale Stadium, the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants took to the field for the first Spring Training game of 2011.
While the D-backs were handed a 7-6 loss from the Giants, the full story of Friday’s ball game extends far beyond the box score.
Spring Training is always a time for pitchers to compete and prove themselves on the mound. The D-backs have several new faces fighting for spots this spring, and three of them toed the rubber in the team’s opening game.
Southpaw Wade Miley and newly acquired right-handed relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio all saw action against the Giants.  
Miley — a young starting pitcher who isn’t in the mix for a bullpen spot but can use this Spring to make an impression on the coaching staff — took over on the mound for the D-backs in the bottom of the third. 
One of the team’s most highly regarded prospects lived up to his hype in his first inning of work. 
After walking the leadoff batter, Miley responded by inducing two groundouts and striking out Aaron Rowand to end an impressive inning. 
“I felt good, a little nervous, a little amped up,” Miley said. “I felt fine pitching-wise, I thought everything was coming out great.”
Miley returned for a second inning of work, but had to battle a little bit. The left-hander issued a pair of walks to Andres Torres and Mark DeRosa. 
“Just kind of got rushing a little bit,” he said, “a little too excited I guess.”
Other than the walks, Miley looked as good as advertised on the mound. 
“I just got to get ahead of guys, finish guys,” Miley said. “I got 0-2 on a guy and then walked him on four pitches. I’ve got to stick with it and stay focused and pitch. I was so amped up, I wanted to blow it by somebody.” 
Miley also said that while he was not completely happy with the outcome, it was good to get the first game out of the way. 
Fans got a look at Hernandez in the bottom of the fifth. In his first outing in Sedona red, Hernandez looked sharp as he quickly got Pat Burrell to fly out to start the inning.
Hernandez walked Pablo Sandoval before rebounding and getting Aaron Rowand to fly to left field and striking out Travis Ishikawa to end the inning. 
“Anytime you’re a reliever you don’t want to come in and walk batters,” Hernandez said. “The key for me today was trying to throw strikes. I threw enough of them. It was a fairly short inning so I can’t complain.” 
Following Hernandez, it was Mickolio who entered the game in the bottom of the sixth. 
Mickolio hit the first batter he faced, but quickly quelled any hopes of a Giants rally. The tall reliever then got Emmanuel Burris to hit a weak pop out to third base. 
Mickolio ended his first spring outing with two groundouts, and ultimately, the new D-back was happy with what he accomplished in his debut. 
“I felt a little anxious, first game back,” Mickolio said. “Everything was decent, had good life on my fastball and my sinker was moving. I just let a slider get ahead of me, hit him with it. Other than that, I felt alright. Overall, I think it went well.”
Friday’s game was the first of the spring season for the D-backs, and like many of his teammates, Mickolio enjoyed taking the mound and competing against another team. 
“It kind of gets monotonous,” Mickolio said. “You don’t throw a few pitches to your own teammates because you don’t want to hit them or hurt them before the season. It’s a nice change to see another team up there and you can let it go.” 
Images from the D-backs/Giants game from team photographer Jordan Megenhardt:

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

Live Blog – D-backs at Giants, Scottsdale Stadium

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Photography: Jordan Megenhardt

 

By Greg Salvatore

Twitter: Insider_Writer

 

It’s a gorgeous day in Scottsdale as the D-backs are set to take on the defending champion San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium at 1:00 pm today.

 

I’ll try to bring some live blog details throughout the afternoon, including some quotes from Kirk Gibson’s pre-game press conference. This game is being broadcast on Sports 620 KTAR, so tune in on your radio in your car or office or wherever you may be this afternoon.

 

Here is today’s lineup:

 

1. Willie Bloomquist – 2B

2. Melvin Mora – 3B

3. Justin Upton – RF

4. Miguel Montero – C

5. Xavier Nady – LF

6. Brandon Allen – 1B

7. Wily Mo Peña – DH

8. Tony Abreu – SS

9. Cole Gillespie – CF

 

Starting pitcher – Joe Saunders

Also expected to pitch – Wade Miley, Kam Mickolio and David Hernandez.

 

I’m actually excited to see all three of those pitchers. Miley has been impressive in bullpen sessions this spring and he was fantastic at Double-A last season, and Hernandez and Mickolio were the right-handed relievers acquired from Baltimore this offseason.

 

— Pre-game press conference with Kirk Gibson:

 

On players dealing with nagging injuries:

“(Joe) Paterson, we shut him down for one day, but he threw a bullpen today and knock on wood, everybody is healthy. Chris Owings (oblique injury) took groundballs today. Tomorrow he’ll start throwing a little bit and do some light swinging.

 

“(Paterson had) a neck kink. Look at the way he throws, he jerks his neck around and it kind of gets sore. He said he’s had that before. Instead of having him try to favor something, we just shut him down and let him get back on track. And now he’s fine.”

 

On the lineup:
“These guys are going to move all around. I did talk to Don (Baylor) today to see how he felt about some things.”

 

On Melvin Mora:

Mora can hit anywhere. He can hit first or second, he could hit eighth and he wouldn’t care. We were out for early work out, and we went out and guys were bunting, Zavada and Jaime were loosening up on Field one, and I went out to the batting cage and there’s Mora with (Minor Leaguers Mike) Freeman and (Matt) Davidson, putting balls on the tee for them. That’s just how he is. he’s a true pro, a guy who just likes to play. There is no ego there at all. Mora could hit anywhere.

 

On using the DH in a National League game:

Just today and Sunday. The pitchers have hit a lot this spring. They’ve done a lot of bunting, a lot of slashing. They’ve hit a lot and for the first time through the games, it’s a time for Joe (Saunders) to focus on pitching. I wanted to get some of the guys hitting, like Wily Mo. We’ll do it against Sunday and that will be it.

 

Game notes:

— Great first inning for the D-backs, with Willie Bloomquist, Melvin Mora, Justin Upton and Miguel Montero all hitting singles to get up 2-0, and Brandon Allen coming through with a sacrifice fly to right to give them a 3-0 lead.

 

Joe Saunders followed up with a good, efficient 1-2-3 first inning concluding with a strikeout of Miguel Tejada.

 

All in all, it’s exactly what you want to see from the D-backs this spring – quality at bats and good, efficient pitching.

 

— There’s a hit-and-run for the D-backs here in the second inning, with Gillespie running to second and Bloomquist at the plate, and a grounder to third moves Gillespie up. I would imagine we’ll see a good amount of that stuff this spring, it’s exactly the reason they signed high-contact guys like Bloomquist and Mora.

 

— The updates aren’t as fast and furious as I’d hoped — wireless internet has been a little sketchy at Scottsdale Stadium, I think the fact that there are far more writers than seats has caused some strain on the system.

 

Wade Miley looked very good in his first inning of relief, with a hitless inning, one walk, one strikeout. He’s back for a second inning now.

 

Xavier Nady went deep with an opposite field home run. If you’re familiar with the set up of Scottsdale Stadium, the ball went out right about where the outfield berm meets the Giants bullpen in right-center field. Nady is an important guy to watch this spring.

 

— David Hernandez is in to pitch for the D-backs, with the Giants leading 7-4. He is among the pitchers I’m most interested in seeing this spring. There is a good chance he can be a back-of-the-bullpen guy for the team this year. We now J.J. Putz is settled in as the team’s closer, but the 7 and 8 inning roles are really up for grabs. Hernandez, Gutierrez and Heilman are the guys who have some experience in those roles, and they’re the guys most likely to claim them this year.

 

Hernandez has good stuff, and his numbers in relief for Baltimore – a 3.16 ERA with a .236 opponents batting average in 37 innings – were pretty good and 15 of his 33 appearances were against the big bats of Boston, New York, Tampa Bay and Toronto.

 

— It’s all over here, D-backs fall to the Giants 7-6. We’ll be out at Salt River Fields tomorrow for the opening of the new ballpark against the Colorado Rockies in front of a sell-out crowd. Should be exciting!

 

 

 

 

 

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