Notes: Situational hitting rubs off

SAN DIEGO -- Power hasn't been a problem for the Diamondbacks this year.
When Luis Gonzalez homered off Jake Peavy on Tuesday night for his 20th round-tripper of the year, the Diamondbacks became the first National League team (and the second in the Majors) this year to feature five players with 20 or more home runs.
Gonzalez joined Troy Glaus, Tony Clark, Shawn Green and Chad Tracy as part of the 20-homer club and the fivesome are a big reason why the D-Backs are third in the NL in homers this year behind the Reds and Cubs.
"The one thing that has been fairly constant is the homers," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "We are up there in homers."
Despite the power, the Diamondbacks are eighth in the National League in runs scored. The culprit? Hitting with runners in scoring position. Collectively, they have a .241 mark in those situations.
"I think we need to do a better job of executing and manufacturing [runs] sometimes," said Glaus, who leads the team with 30 homers. "We can't sit back and rely on home runs all the time. There's a track record of that not working. The homers are nice, but we have to be able to scratch and claw and get one or two here and there. That's the difference between teams that win and teams that don't."
Glaus knows the value of moving runners over, getting runners from third base with less two outs home. The 2002 world champion Angels that he played on were known for their situational hitting.
"We hit our fair share of homers," Glaus said of the '02 Halos. "But we also scratched and clawed and got a run or two when we needed."
The Diamondbacks have played better the last four or five games, and it's no coincidence that their situational hitting has been better over that period.
"It just seems like our approach has been better as of late," Melvin said. "Sometimes when you struggle with it, you try too hard. It's not for a lack of knowing what the situation is, it's not for a lack of knowing and wanting to succeed. Sometimes we just try too hard and press because the results haven't been there."
Speaking of Glaus: The third baseman entered Wednesday's game having homered in three straight contests and four of his last five. Over his last 19 games, he's hitting .344.
So is he feeling particularly good at the plate?
"Every day is different," Glaus said. "I think as a group we've been playing pretty well over the last five or six days. We're giving ourselves a chance to win."
Patience: Rookie Conor Jackson was 0-for-2 on Tuesday night, but he did draw a walk. Despite a recent 0-for-20 streak, Jackson has still shown a good approach at the plate.
"He's going to have a nice big-league career because not only does he have good hand-eye [coordination] and good mechanics, he's got the right approach at an early age," Melvin said of the 23-year-old.
Up next: After an off-day on Thursday, the Diamondbacks will return home for a short three-game weekend series against the Giants.
Brandon Webb will start for the D-Backs on Friday. The right-hander threw seven shutout innings in his last start against the Phillies on Saturday.

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

D-Backs rally late, but fall to Friars

SAN DIEGO -- When they came to Southern California on Monday for their three-game series with the Padres, the Diamondbacks were looking to make a run at first place.
Wednesday, as they boarded their charter jet bound for Phoenix after a 9-5 loss, not only is first place farther away, but they can no longer lay claim to second.
"We really wanted to come in here and -- if not sweep -- at least win the series, so it's disappointing," outfielder Shawn Green said.
The series started with much promise, as Arizona beat the Padres, 7-5, to close the gap in the National League West to just 4 1/2 games. But after scoring two runs in the first inning on Tuesday, it was all downhill for the D-Backs, as they dropped a 5-3 decision.
Now after Wednesday's setback and the Dodgers' win over the Cubs, the Diamondbacks find themselves out of second place for the first time since June 8, and the 6 1/2-game deficit, with 27 games to play, matches their largest of the season.
The Diamondbacks, though, aren't ready to wave the white flag just yet.
"Especially after winning Game 1, we didn't feel like we were going to lose two out of three," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "But back to the drawing board. Nothing's been settled. Obviously we're a little more underwater than we were, but we still have three games left with them, we've got the Giants next and we've got to just keep playing."
Speaking of the Giants, they enter Friday's opener of a three-game set just a half-game behind the D-Backs.
"We've just got to come back on Friday and try to have a really strong September," Green said.
Diamondbacks starter Javier Vazquez was scratched from his Tuesday start with a stomach virus, and the Padres made him feel even worse when they scored three runs in the first inning on Wednesday.
A solo homer by Dave Roberts in the fourth pushed the San Diego advantage to 4-0, but the Diamondbacks were still within shouting distance when Luis Gonzalez hit a solo shot of his own in the sixth.
But Vazquez could not hold the Padres at bay, as they scored five runs in the sixth to take a commanding 9-1 lead.
Khalil Greene and Miguel Olivo started off the decisive frame with singles, and Ben Johnson followed with his first Major League homer.
"Johnson's blow is really the one that makes you think, 'Now we've really got to scramble,'" Melvin said. "4-1 or whatever, we were still in the ballgame there."
The loss was the second consecutive for Vazquez, who has lost five of his last six decisions to fall to 10-14 on the year.
"I did the best I could," said Vazquez, who allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings. "They beat me today. What can I say? They hit me good today. I've thrown good against them a few times, and they beat me today. That's the bottom line."
The D-Backs did rally for three runs in the seventh and one in the eighth against the San Diego bullpen, but it was too little too late.
Padres starter Chan Ho Park (4-1) held Arizona to just two runs on three hits in six-plus innings.
"He was throwing a lot of sliders in fastball counts and was almost effectively wild with his fastball," Melvin said. "He got good movement on it, and he's always had a delivery where he hides the ball pretty well. You just don't really get a real good feeling on a certain spot where he's going to throw the ball."

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Mailbag: Checking on the kids

Why is Tony Clark starting at first base instead of Conor Jackson? -- Josh, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Josh, the simple answer to your question is that Clark has been the Diamondbacks' most consistent hitter this year. It's hard for Bob Melvin to keep Clark out of the lineup when playing him gives you the best chance of winning each night and you are in the middle of a pennant race. Now that the D-Backs have slipped to 6 1/2 games back, it would not surprise me to see Jackson get more playing time during the last month of the season.
Do you think the Diamondbacks should dismiss Melvin and hire Jim Leyland? I've read that he desperately wants to manage again. -- Ken, Pa.
To answer the first part of your question, no I don't think Melvin should be relieved of his duties. I don't think the Diamondbacks' struggles these last few months are his fault. I simply don't think the Diamondbacks were as good as they played during the season's first two months. That raised expectations, but I think there were troubling signs during the good times -- the fact that they were one of only a couple of teams with winning records despite being outscored by their opponents. I don't think the players have in any way quit on him. Every team looks like it lacks energy when it's getting beat around the way the Diamondbacks did during their last homestand. I'm not saying that Melvin has done everything right this year, or that there aren't things you could second guess, but dismissing him now makes very little sense. As for Leyland, I understand that he wants to manage closer to his home near Pittsburgh, so I don't see him coming to a team out west.
Why don't the Diamondbacks call up Carlos Quentin and play him every day? -- Mark B., Phoenix
I guess I need to ask you a question right back: Where would you play Quentin? He's a corner outfielder, and right now you've got Luis Gonzalez and Chad Tracy there and Shawn Green, who is a right fielder, playing in center. I know Quentin is a top prospect and has the potential to be a very good player for years to come, but right now I don't think he's better than the three guys currently playing in the outfield right now. Plus, he's not on the 40-man roster and does not have to be protected on it until next year. I think they're better off letting him finish the year strong at Tucson before coming to Spring Training next year with the possibility of winning a spot on the opening day roster.
Everyone's talking about trading Gonzalez. Is that going to happen? I hope not. He's da man! -- Billy, Phoenix
I think it's unlikely the Diamondbacks will trade Gonzalez at this point. Even if the Diamondbacks wanted to trade him, and I don't think that's necessarily the case, there are a couple of big hurdles. He's owed $10 million next year and that's a lot of money for another team to absorb. Also, keep in mind that he is a 10-5 player, which means he can veto any trade, and he loves playing in Arizona. Those two factors, combined with the fact that he's still productive and an icon of sorts for the organization, make it very unlikely he will be dealt.

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Notes: Another chance for Green

PHOENIX -- Andy Green has done this before. He knows about life in a Major League clubhouse and what it's like to face big league pitching.
After one go-around in the Majors and an MVP season in Triple-A, Green is confident his second stint with the Diamondbacks will go more smoothly than the first.
"I feel a lot better prepared this year than I did last year," said Green, who was one of four players added to Arizona's roster before Friday's game. "Last year, [when] I came up here, I was a rookie and had absolutely no idea what I was getting into, like most people coming up. To know what I'm getting into and to be in a situation where I feel I can help the team make the playoff run, it's exciting."
The 28-year-old Green, who is in his sixth season of professional baseball, hit .202 in 46 games with Arizona last year. But Green posted stellar numbers for Triple-A Tucson this year, earning the Pacific Coast League MVP on Thursday.
While playing in the shadow of top prospects Conor Jackson and Carlos Quentin, Green enjoyed one of the best seasons in all of professional baseball. He led all Minor Leaguers in runs (125) and hits (182), and he also led the PCL in doubles (46), triples (13) and extra-base hits (78) while batting .343 for the Sidewinders.
"Obviously that's not the goal you have in mind [to start the season] in Minor League baseball. Your goal is to get here, but when your managers and the media, they recognize you for what you've done, that's nice," Green said.
While playing time might be sparse for Green -- manager Bob Melvin has had a tough enough time working Alex Cintron into the lineup -- his versatility will certainly help him get on the field. Predominantly a second baseman, Green also can play shortstop and third base. He played about 50 games in the outfield for Tucson as well.
"The one thing about him is he can play just about anywhere," Melvin said. "He really could play any of the outfield positions and probably anywhere [on the infield] but first base, and you could probably stick him over there if you had to."
Get your mind right: Brian Bruney was recalled from Tucson on Friday after a two-week stint in the Minors. Bruney, who recorded a 7.60 ERA in 46 games with the Diamondbacks, was sent to Triple-A on Aug. 19 so he could pitch under less pressure after enduring a slump in which he lost his spot as closer.
"I was just pitching with the wrong mentality," Bruney said. "It's just a kind of cocky attitude. I think everybody needs that no matter what position they play. It's a baseball attitude."
Bruney gave up just one run in four outings with the Sidewinders, but the team wasn't concerned with results as much as him regaining confidence.
"When you've been at the big league level for most of the season, you've been in a closer's role here for a period of time, you have to get over the disappointment of going down," Melvin said. "We really don't look at numbers so much with him as just a guy who had to get a little confidence back and get back up here, and I think the break will probably do him good."
Another familiar face: Koyie Hill was also added to the roster Friday as the catcher begins his third stint with the Diamondbacks this season. Hill was on Arizona's Opening Day roster and split time with Chris Snyder, but he was sent down in late May so the team could have more of a veteran presence behind the plate with Kelly Stinnett.
Although Melvin is uncertain about how many starts Hill will receive, the addition of a third catcher to the roster will give the manager more flexibility if he wants to pinch-hit for one of the backstops early in the game.
"We'll just see what that particular day holds and how guys are swinging, and what the matchups are and where we think the best course of action is for any particular day," Melvin said. "It's just kind of a wait-and-see thing, but it's certainly nice to have three catchers where if we have to hit for someone early in the game, we still have an option for whoever that third guy might be."
Ready to rumble: Oscar Villarreal was activated from the 60-day disabled list, supplying the Arizona bullpen with an extra arm. Villarreal appeared in only two games this season before going down with a rotator cuff injury.
His Minor League rehab ended last week, so the righty has been waiting for the post-Sept. 1 roster expansion period so he could be activated and pitch with the big club again.
"He's pitched quite a bit down there so it's been a long time since the big leagues, but he has pitched multiple innings down there," Melvin said. "He has started some games -- he wasn't going four or five innings -- but he was throwing multiple pitches where he can get his pitch count up. Wherever we see him, whether it's in a long role, whether we like a matchup with him, our bullpen has never been in a state where, 'This is your role, this is your role.'"
Rotation shuffle: The Diamondbacks have a day off Monday after their weekend series with the Giants, so Melvin has elected to skip rookie Brad Halsey's place in the rotation.
Halsey pitched on three days' rest Wednesday and has already thrown 158 innings in his first full season in the Majors.
"He's still a young kid who's going to be a starter for us for quite some time, we feel," Melvin said. "We just want to take him back just a hair because we feel the innings and what he's done for us here of late [are adding up]. We're just going to skip a start. I don't know when we're going to fit him in yet."
Javier Vazquez, Brandon Webb and Claudio Vargas will pitch in Arizona's three-game series in Pittsburgh that starts Tuesday.
On deck: Arizona will continue its series with rival San Francisco on Saturday at Bank One Ballpark. Vargas (8-7, 5.05 ERA) will start against Noah Lowry (11-11, 3.68 ERA).

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Webb, D-Backs upended by Giants

PHOENIX -- After a pair of early hard-hit doubles, it appeared the Diamondbacks might have finally cracked the mystery of Jason Schmidt.
But those hits would be half of Arizona's total output against San Francisco's ace as Schmidt befuddled the D-Backs lineup once again to defeat Arizona, 6-3, at Bank One Ballpark on Friday.
Schmidt is 3-0 against the Diamondbacks, who have lost all five times they've faced the righty this year.
"You always think you're going to beat somebody, always think that even if he's had success against you, that this is the time you're going to turn it around on him," said Arizona manager Bob Melvin. "He's been making adjustments against us every time out."
Shawn Green led off the second with an opposite-field double and scored two batters later on a loud double by Troy Glaus, who put the Diamondbacks up, 1-0, with his 600th career RBI. But it would also mark Arizona's last hit until Green doubled again in the seventh inning.
Brandon Webb did his best to match Schmidt (12-6) in the early innings, retiring 10 straight after giving up a single to lead off the game. But Ray Durham inflicted the first bit of damage in the fourth, knocking a two-out single off Webb's knee to tie the score.
In his next at-bat, Durham caused Webb (11-11) even more pain -- this time more on the scoreboard than on the pitcher's body. With two on and one out, Durham golfed a 1-1 delivery from Webb down the right-field line for a three-run homer to stake Schmidt to a comfortable lead.
"Ray, he was trouble for me last year and I hadn't had that much trouble this year," Webb said. "Today he was all over pretty much everything I was throwing up there, so he was a tough out tonight."
The Giants opened the lead to 6-1 in the next inning on a two-run double by Omar Vizquel, which put the game out of reach even after the Diamondbacks got to a tiring Schmidt in the bottom of the frame.
"It's usually an indication early on when he's getting ground balls and first-pitch outs, and getting outs the first few pitches, and he was throwing the ball real well. It seemed like Durham's homer [obviously] turned the tide," Melvin said.
Before Alex Cintron delivered a pinch-hit double to score two runs in the seventh, Schmidt had been virtually unhittable, retiring the side in the third through sixth innings.
But Schmidt didn't give the Diamondbacks the expected regimen of hard fastballs, instead turning to his curveball as his put-away pitch.
Schmidt hasn't been able to get as much on his heater as he used to, so he's been forced to change his approach. Earlier in the season, he baffled the Diamondbacks with a changeup, this time it was the curve. And this time, Schmidt not only held Arizona to four hits, he also recorded 10 strikeouts.
"He's a smart pitcher, so early in the count he'd come at you with fastballs and changeups, and then his put-away pitch today was the curveball," said Luis Gonzalez, who was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Schmidt. "He's not the Jason Schmidt of old with 94 to 97 [mph fastballs] that [he can blow] by you, so he's got to mix up his pitches and he did that today."
Despite the promising beginning with an early rally and Webb cruising through the first five innings, the Diamondbacks dropped their third straight. The loss also allowed San Francisco to leapfrog Arizona for third place in the National League West.
"You're not going to win many games when they get a couple innings where they have crooked numbers and you only have two hits going into the seventh," Melvin said.

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Notes: Cintron gets a start

PHOENIX -- Alex Cintron is the type of player who wants -- and expects -- to play every day. His playing time, though, has been limited by the solid play of middle infielders Craig Counsell and Royce Clayton, and now he's seen his starts dwindling due to someone who doesn't even play his position.
With Tony Clark, the team's top pinch-hitting threat for much of the season, seeing more playing time, Arizona manager Bob Melvin has kept Cintron on the bench to be the team's go-to hitter in the pinch. Cintron has adjusted to his new role nicely as he has delivered three hits in his last four opportunities. Included in that is a two-run double Friday and a two-run homer against Philadelphia on Aug. 27 that accounted for the game's only offense.
But the switch-hitting Cintron was awarded the start Saturday as Counsell rested against sizzling southpaw Noah Lowry.
"This guy's been pretty tough on lefties -- and righties -- of late; his numbers of late have been ridiculous," Melvin said of Lowry, who was 5-0 with a 0.69 ERA in August. "But Alex hasn't been playing here as of late as regularly as he has. We were going a little bit more with Royce and Counse, and with Tony in the lineup more and more, I also need a guy off the bench. He's done a great job off the bench, so it's good to get him a start. He's a guy that needs to play some to stay ready."
Cintron delivered in the first inning Saturday, clubbing a two-run homer off Lowry.
Last season, Cintron struggled while seeing his playing time diminish. He has approached this year with a better attitude toward his role, a mentality that has pleased his manager.
"I thought early on we'd have some problems with him because he's a guy who wants to play," Melvin said. "But he's been great, he really has. Even though you see some days where you know he really wants to be in there and he goes several days without [playing], he still goes out there and keeps himself ready. ... He's handled this year beautifully."
Rest for the weary: Counsell has been mired in a bad slump for the past two weeks, collecting just three hits in his last 38 at-bats. Counsell had posted multihit performances in three of the four games preceding the skid, raising his average to .281, but it has dropped 16 points since that time.
Despite the recent struggles, Melvin noted that his second baseman has still contributed by drawing 10 walks during the slump and playing solid defense.
"You go through some periods where you struggle," Melvin said. "At times when he's not swinging the bat well, he'll find a way to do something for you defensively or draw a walk or do some things that maybe don't show up numbers-wise as far as average or whatever, but he finds a way to contribute all the time."
Wait and see: Melvin announced Friday that Brad Halsey's spot in the rotation would be skipped as the rookie's workload has mounted lately. The manger has yet to determine when Halsey will make his next start.
Depending on when that next start could come, Halsey might work out of the bullpen in the meantime. The southpaw made one relief appearance -- on Opening Day -- before joining the starting rotation full time.
Birthday boy: When it was announced during pregame stretches that Saturday was Luis Gonzalez's birthday, Cintron turned to the dugout with a straight face and asked, "60?"
Well, not quite. Gonzalez, now 38, joked that he's chasing Atlanta's ageless wonder, Julio Franco, who turned 47 in August.
"If I can play that long, I will," Gonzalez said. "These guys joke around, but if you ask someone like Counsell, they'll tell you I love playing this game. I love being out there, I love being around the guys, and if I could play that long, I definitely will be out there."
Helping hand: The Diamondbacks announced that all proceeds from ticket sales during the Sept. 13-15 series against Milwaukee will be donated to the Red Cross and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
"It's great -- it's right on time," Melvin said. "This is an absolute catastrophe. Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody over there and I don't think there's anybody who isn't following this as closely as you possibly can. You're seeing people in all walks of life doing whatever they can to help -- I think it's great."
Bolstering the ranks: The Diamondbacks called up right-handed pitcher Dustin Nippert from Double-A Tennessee on Saturday. Nippert will not be available until Sunday.
Coming off Tommy John surgery in July 2004, the 24-year-old Nippert was 8-3 in 18 starts for the Smokies with a 2.38 ERA.
On deck: Arizona closes out its short three-game homestand against San Francisco on Sunday. Russ Ortiz (5-8, 6.82 ERA) takes the ball against rookie Matt Cain (0-1, 3.60 ERA).

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

D-Backs' early runs not enough

PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks sprung for three quick runs, posting that elusive "crooked number" on the scoreboard that they've struggled to find lately.
The problem for Arizona was the offense didn't get back on the scoreboard until the ninth and the Giants struck for two big innings of their own. It all added up to a 9-4 loss for Arizona at Bank One Ballpark on Saturday, the team's fourth straight defeat.
"We got to [Giants starter Noah Lowry] early and had a chance to do even more damage and couldn't," said Arizona manager Bob Melvin. "When a guy settles in like that, he ends up pitching a lot better."
The Diamondbacks knocked around Lowry early, putting up three runs in the first -- matching the total they had managed off the crafty southpaw in 18 2/3 innings this season as well as the total he'd given up in five August starts.
It appeared that Lowry, who was 5-0 with a 0.69 ERA in August, was having trouble finding his footing on the mound as he walked Royce Clayton to start the game and fell behind Alex Cintron, 2-0, while throwing a wild pitch in the process. After Cintron fouled off a bunt try on 2-0, he swung away at the next pitch and skied it into the left-field stands for his seventh homer of the year.
Luis Terrero later added a two-out single for the Diamondbacks' third run, but that would be their last tally until the ninth inning. Arizona had plenty of opportunities in between, but could never translate them onto the scoreboard.
"He started throwing more strikes," Clayton said. "He walked a couple guys, and actually, it looked like he wasn't comfortable, I felt, early in the game. He was getting behind and started going to his breaking ball and started getting it over, and we let him get comfortable before we could knock him out of the game."
The D-Backs put the leadoff runner on base in the third through sixth innings, but each time Lowry was able to pitch out of the jam. Cintron led off the fifth with a double and moved to third when Luis Gonzalez hit a ground ball to the right side.
The Giants took a chance by bringing the infield in on Andy Green, who made his season debut after replacing Troy Glaus in the fourth. Glaus was forced to leave the game after aggravating a season-long knee injury while running out a fielder's choice in the third.
The move worked, as Green hit a sharp ground ball right to shortstop Omar Vizquel. Arizona had its best chance of all, though, the following inning when it loaded the bases with one out and the top of the order coming up.
Clayton battled from an early hole to work the count full. In their previous encounter, Lowry threw Clayton a 3-2 changeup, so the shortstop was looking for the same pitch. This time, though, Lowry reached back and gunned a 91 mph fastball -- about as high on the radar gun as he can reach -- and Clayton couldn't catch up.
"I pulled off it a little bit," Clayton said. "He threw me a 3-2 changeup the time before, so that was in the back of my mind, but that's no excuse. I was trying to pull it off instead of staying up the middle a little bit more, and I wish I had that at-bat over. You can't do anything about it, but that's the run you've got to get across the board, and I just didn't get the job done."
The Giants immediately punished the Diamondbacks for not capitalizing, notching their second four-run inning in the top of the seventh off two Arizona relievers.
"[We] actually have a chance to go ahead and then [it] flips over to the other side where we've talked so many times this year where the momentum flips back to the other side, and now all of a sudden, there's a crooked number on there and we're deflated and don't put up really any fight after that," Melvin said. "We've seen it too many times where we've turned the momentum to the other side."
The other big inning came in the third off starter Claudio Vargas. When Vargas was Arizona's most consistent starter for nearly a two-month stretch, he was limiting his walks and keeping the ball in the yard. But in his last three starts, in which he hasn't been nearly as sharp, he has been plagued by both the free pass and the long ball.
In the third, both came back to haunt him. Randy Winn started the rally with his first of two solo homers. Vargas then issued the first of four walks and allowed a single to J.T. Snow. He got ahead of Moises Alou, 1-2, but missed the location on his fastball and Alou crushed the ball into the left-field stands.
"It was only one inning, but I lost a little bit of my concentration, and when that happened they hit a couple of home runs," said Vargas, who has given up five homers and eight walks in his last two outings. "The one that Winn hit, it was an 0-2 slider and I tried to go back door and the slider found the middle of the plate, and that happened to Alou, too -- I tried to throw the fastball inside and it was over the plate."
Despite a high pitch count early, Vargas maneuvered through six innings allowing just that one big inning -- "He continue to battle; he doesn't care what the score is, tries to give as much as he has," Melvin said -- but it wasn't enough to prevent Arizona's fifth straight loss at home to the Giants.

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Notes: Aquino gets recalled

PITTSBURGH -- By the looks of it, the covered bench in the visiting team's bullpen beyond the wall in left-center at PNC Park has room for about a dozen guys -- if they are not afraid to get a little close to each other.
If that's the case, hopefully the Arizona Diamondbacks showered well before their game with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday evening. With the recall of pitcher Greg Aquino, the D-Backs now have 11 men available to them out of the bullpen.
Still, while manager Bob Melvin admitted he would be certainly aware of the bevy of arms available to him, it would not change all that much about the way he managed a game.
"Obviously, it depends on where you are, how far behind you are, if you have to hit for a pitcher or whatever. There's a lot of variables that go into it," Melvin said. "It's not like we have six lefties and six righties out there and we can match up left, right, left, right the whole game."
Aquino was 0-1 with a 9.12 ERA in 28 games for Arizona in a tour of duty that started on Opening Day and ended with his demotion to Triple-A Tucson on Aug. 25 (interrupted by a trip to the disabled list April 5-June 11 when he missed 62 games).
The 27-year-old led the Diamondbacks in saves as a rookie last season with 16. His statistics this season did not look as ugly until he allowed seven earned runs in two innings his last two outings before being demoted. He had allowed only one earned run in his previous 10 appearances and was 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA, allowing a run on four hits in 8 2/3 innings with no walks and seven strikeouts in his limited action with the Sidewinders.
Melvin said the decision to bring back Aquino was made to give him some more work and give the bullpen the depth that many other teams have after the Sept. 1 roster-expansion period. Already stocked with too many starters, pitchers like Michael Gosling would have to wait.
"It was a matter of giving us an extra arm," Melvin said. "We've had some games this year [where] we needed guys to finish games, so this is the way it works out."
Rotation set through trip: The team had previously announced that Dustin Nippert would make his Major League debut on Thursday in Pittsburgh and Shawn Estes would come off the DL to start the opener of the series in Colorado. Right-hander Claudio Vargas will start on Saturday at Coors Field, and Melvin said on Tuesday that Russ Ortiz would start the Sunday afternoon contest.
The earliest rookie Brad Halsey -- the lefthander who, along with Brandon Webb, is among Arizona's most consistent starters this season -- could start would be on Tuesday at home against the Milwaukee Brewers. Melvin said that because Halsey, who was available on Tuesday night out of the bullpen, passed a professional career high in innings pitched, the team would lax his load and give other youngsters a chance.
"We found out we know what we have in him and know he will be a fixture in the rotation next year," Melvin said. "His innings were just adding up, so it's something we just don't feel like we need to push him right now. This gives us a chance to get Nippert in there. That's not to say [Halsey] won't start again [this season], it's just where we are right now."
New guy across the dugout: The Pirates relieved manager Lloyd McClendon of his duties on Tuesday afternoon before the game. Pete Mackanin, the team's bench coach this season, was named interim manager.
McClendon had been with Pittsburgh for almost five seasons and played in the Majors at the same time as Melvin, whom he also managed against. Melvin expressed sympathy for a fellow member of the managing fraternity.
"I've always thought he does a very nice job with a low payroll and not a whole lot to work with," Melvin said. "He's a very competitive guy."
Diamondbacks bench coach Jay Bell played with McClendon from 1990-94 with the Pirates and said he had little doubt that McClendon would find future employment in baseball.
"Every manager gets fired at some point or another," Bell said. "Unfortunately for Mac, he was starting to get better and better at what he did. The front office just felt like it was time for a change around here."
Despite Pirates managing general partner Kevin McClatchy going on record saying the team desires a replacement with Major League managerial experience, some have speculated Bell is a candidate for the Pirates job that will be filled after the season concludes. Bell was a fan favorite in his eight seasons with the Pirates.
"Well, certainly I'm a bench coach with the specific purpose of trying to be a Major League manager," Bell said. "I'm certainly not sure if they have any thoughts about having me on as a manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but I grew up in the game here in Pittsburgh. This is a great place, a phenomenal town with a fan base that loves a blue-collar style of play. I have a real soft spot in my heart for Pittsburgh, so, no, I wouldn't mind it."
On deck: The D-Backs continue their three-game set in Pittsburgh on Wednesday as Brandon Webb (11-11, 3.88 ERA) faces Pirates lefty Mark Redman (5-14, 4.89 ERA). The game marks the final 4:05 p.m. MST starting time this season for Arizona.

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Notes: Nippert gets Thursday start

PHOENIX -- It's been a whirlwind few days for Dustin Nippert.
The 24-year-old found out Saturday he was being recalled from Double-A, and when he showed up to the ballpark Sunday, he learned he would be starting Thursday in Pittsburgh.
"I just got off the plane at 9:30 this morning and found out I was starting," said Nippert. "So it's an honor and I'll just do the best I can and try to pitch my game."
Nippert's game this year for Double-A Tennessee has been impressive. The right-hander missed the first two months of the season while he recovered from last July's Tommy John surgery, and when he returned, he went 8-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 18 starts.
"He pitched great and he's being rewarded," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "He's someone we want to get a look at not only right now, but for the future."
The lanky 6-foot-7 hurler is a power pitcher at whom Melvin didn't get much of a look during Spring Training because he wasn't ready to pitch after having surgery last July.
"I was really happy with the way they worked with me in the offseason, rehabbing me and pushing me and stuff, and that made a world of difference in helping me come back to where I am now," Nippert said, referring to the Diamondbacks. "In the spring, I didn't know what was achievable, I was just going to come out and pitch and let everything happen for itself and take place."
Nippert figures to have plenty of friends and family on hand for his debut as he is from West Virginia and resides in Ohio.
Estes will be back: Melvin said Sunday that Shawn Estes will be removed from the disabled list Friday to start against the Rockies.
"I'm ready to go out and compete," said Estes, who has been on the DL since July 6 with a stress reaction in his left foot. "I think I'm ready to go out and give us enough innings to be competitive."
Estes pitched in his second injury rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Tucson and allowed one run on three hits over six innings. In 11 innings over his two starts, he allowed just two runs.
Estes threw 91 pitches Saturday and though he said he felt fatigued toward the end, his foot felt good -- a little sore, but good.
"Foot felt better than it did on Monday, which was a good sign," Estes said, referring to his first start. "I moved around a lot better on it."
Rotation rumblings: The Arizona rotation is in flux right now with both Estes and Nippert being inserted this week along with an off-day Monday.
Left-hander Brad Halsey had his turn skipped as the club looks to rest him a bit given his career-high innings total, but Melvin declined to say what other adjustments would be made.
Nippert will start Thursday, Estes on Friday and Claudio Vargas on Saturday.
"I'm not prepared to say anything after that," said Melvin. "That's as far as we're going."
With Halsey's innings total and both Vargas and Javier Vazquez having nagging, but not serious, knee problems, Melvin could use the added starters as a way to give the entire rotation more rest.
Resting: Third baseman Troy Glaus was given Sunday off after aggravating his left knee during Saturday night's game. Glaus has been battling a strained tendon behind his left knee since early in the season.
"It's the same thing," Glaus said. "Just one of those days that's worse than others. I'll take [Sunday] off and we have an off-day [Monday], so hopefully, I'll be ready to go on Tuesday."
Up next: After a day of rest on Monday, the Diamondbacks open a three-game series with the Pirates at PNC Park.
Vazquez will get the start in that game for the D-Backs as he looks to rebound from his last start Wednesday. In that game, the right-hander allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Diamondbacks topple Bucs in extras

PITTSBURGH -- They were badly outhit, committed an error, had two men thrown out attempting to steal, missed coaches' signals and had a passed ball.
But none of that mattered, because the Arizona Diamondbacks somehow found a way to snap a five-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 12 innings on Tuesday night at PNC Park.
"We needed a win, period," manager Bob Melvin said. "We just kept fighting, and finally got it.
"I saw a lot of things I didn't like seeing early in the game today. We missed a hit-and-run sign, tried to steal when we're not supposed to be stealing -- a lot of things that usually end up costing you games. But we kept playing hard and came up on the wining side."
Chad Tracy and Chris Snyder scored runs in the 12th inning for the Diamondbacks, who were 9-22 since tying for first place on July 31.
That poor play appeared to continue as starter Javier Vazquez was peppered for 11 hits through his first five innings but allowed only the two solo home runs to appear on the scoreboard, as the Pirates stranded 10 men on base. Vazquez's line was not pretty in terms of the 13 baserunners he allowed during his six innings and 104 pitches, but he got out of trouble when he needed to.
"Javy kept fighting out there," Melvin said. "He gave up a bunch of hits but made good pitches when he had to and got us through [six] innings, which at the time, I didn't think he had a chance."
The only runs Vazquez allowed were solo shots by Brad Eldred in the second and Ty Wigginton in the fourth. But a better example of Vazquez's night came in the fifth, when the Bucs had loaded the bases with one out, and Vazquez got Wigginton to ground into a double play.
"I'm glad I could get out of trouble when I was in it," Vazquez said. "The whole night it seemed like I was in trouble.
"I was just battling out there. I thought I threw some good pitches and the balls just kept [finding] the holes."
Four relievers combined to pitch three-hit, shutout ball over the final six innings of the game, including Jose Valverde and Buddy Groom.
Valverde (2-4) earned the win with two innings of scoreless relief, striking out the side in the 11th. Groom pitched the bottom of the 12th for his first career National League save.
"Everybody out there did a great job," Vazquez said of the bullpen. "It seemed like they weren't in trouble at all. They made their pitches. That was big for us."
Nine of the first 10 Diamondbacks did not reach against Pittsburgh lefty Paul Maholm, who was making his second career start. Arizona did not record a hit until an Alex Cintron double to lead off the fourth. Cintron scored two batters later on a double by Troy Glaus to tie the game at 1.
Luis Terrero's one-out single in the seventh scored Conor Jackson for the D-Backs' second run.
That would be all the runs scored in the game until the 12th, when Pirates reliever John Grabow (2-2) walked Tracy to open the inning. He was sacrificed to second by Terrero.
Snyder followed with a single to right and Craig Wilson's throw home had Tracy beat by 20 feet. Tracy stopped and was hit in the back by catcher Ryan Doumit's throw, sending the ball awry and allowing Tracy to trot home.
"It was just one of those things where the ball probably bounced our way," Snyder said. "We were fortunate to come out on the winning end of it,"
Two batters later, Royce Clayton singled off of Rick White to score Tracy.
Arizona could have ended the game in the 10th, when Jose Mesa hit Terrero with a pitch and he moved to second on a passed ball by Doumit. Pinch-hitter Quinton McCracken bunted to move Terrero to third and reached on a fielder's choice when Mesa's ill-advised throw to third was too late.
But after pinch-hitter Shawn Green lined out, Terrero was thrown out at home on a comebacker to Mesa.
"We just kept battling," Melvin said. "We were so many times in a situation, say, where we had first and third with nobody out and we don't score and throw the momentum back to the other side. But we kept playing hard."
Hard enough to earn a win.

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Glaus nominated for Comeback Award

At this time last year, Troy Glaus was the designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels.
"DHing is better than not playing," Glaus said. "But not by much."
Glaus was forced into that role and limited to just 58 games in 2004 after having surgery to repair fraying in his labrum in May.
"It was unfortunately one of the few things I've ever had where you just can't play," Glaus said of the shoulder. "There was nothing I could do. I couldn't go. We tried everything, but the pain was so much that it wouldn't work. And it was only a matter of time before it got hurt even worse. Then who knows where we'd be sitting at this point?"
Where Glaus is sitting right now is in the middle of the Diamondbacks' order, playing every day at third base.
"He's gone at it pretty hard for us," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said.
Because of the production he's shown this year, Glaus is a candidate for Major League Baseball's Comeback Player of the Year Award Presented by Viagra.
Fans will choose the winner via an online ballot.
Visit MLB.com/ComebackAward and cast your vote for the player who has best bounced back from a disappointing 2004 season. Your vote will automatically enter you into a sweepstakes for a chance to win great prizes -- like game-used bases from the All-Star Game or the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a 2005 World Series game -- from MLB and Viagra.
It hasn't been smooth sailing for Glaus this year, though. While he's among the team leaders in games played, the 29-year-old has had to battle through injuries. Most notably has been a strained tendon behind his left knee that has hampered him virtually the entire season.
Only an extended period of rest will allow the tendon to heal, but Glaus doesn't want to sit, and the Diamondbacks couldn't afford his prolonged absence from the lineup.
"That'll happen in the offseason," he said.
So instead, Glaus has had cortisone injections in the back of his knee on three different occasions this year to stay in the lineup. The shots are painful, but for Glaus, not being in the lineup would be worse.
After the doctors told him there was nothing more they could do to help the tendon, Glaus went into Melvin's office and told the skipper not to ask him whether he wanted to play on a given day, but rather to just write his name in the lineup.
"I've never in my life gone in and asked out of the lineup," Glaus said. "Regardless of how bad it hurts or anything like that, I've never said I wanted out. I guess that's just how I was brought up and the mindset that I have. You play if you can at all get your butt out there. You do it."
And Glaus has certainly done it, leading the club in home runs, RBIs and walks. But don't expect him to walk around patting himself on the back. Instead he's more worried about how to improve his numbers with runners in scoring position.
"I'm paid to drive in runs," said Glaus, who signed a four-year, $44 million free-agent deal before the season. "I haven't been stellar. I've been OK, but not stellar and probably bordering more on the bottom end of OK. But the idea around here is to win ballgames, so I don't necessarily care where the numbers end up. But I know that if I put up the numbers that I have, then it gives our team a lot better chance of winning ballgames, and at the end of the day, that's all that really matters."
Said teammate Luis Gonzalez, "He's been able to consistently go out there and play after coming back from an injury. He knows now how important it is for him to be out there playing. He's rehabbed hard to get back and play at the level he was at before."
The Diamondbacks are thankful for that.

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Man of the Year nominees announced

One of the most powerful things about Major League Baseball is the ability it provides its players to give something back to their communities.
Many of MLB's players spend plenty of time organizing philanthropic efforts that pay off throughout the year, whether it be handing out turkeys on Thanksgiving Day or honoring our troops in Iraq. Last week, MLB stepped up to the plate with the Players Union to donate $1 million to relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
With that in mind, the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, named for the first executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, is given to the player whose combination of on-field performance and community contributions most inspires others to a higher level of achievement.
The winner will be announced during the World Series or shortly thereafter in conjunction with the rest of the Players Choice Awards, which include Overall Player of the Year and Outstanding Player, Outstanding Pitcher, Outstanding Rookie and Comeback Player awards in each league.
Each Players Choice Award winner will designate a charity to receive a grant from the Players Trust, a not-for-profit foundation created and administered by the players, in an amount ranging from $20,000 to $50,000.
The players on each of the 30 clubs have nominated one of their teammates for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award -- Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Jim Thome won it last year -- and now fans are being asked to choose six finalists.
Fans should read the 30 nominees' brief community involvement profiles, then vote for one player from each division. The players will then choose the award winner from among the six fan-picked finalists as part of their annual Players Choice Awards balloting at ballparks throughout the country on Sept. 13-14.
Voting for the six finalists will take place right here at MLB.com from Sept. 6-11. Here are the candidates:
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Baltimore Orioles: Brian RobertsAs the spokesman for Maryland's statewide summer reading program, Brian has spent the season visiting libraries and reading to children. Brian also frequently visits the University of Maryland Children's Hospital and Johns Hopkins, to which he donated 300 Orioles tickets to children recovering from heart surgery. A heart surgery survivor himself, Brian visits with heart surgery patients on the road as well.
Boston Red Sox: Tim WakefieldIn Boston, Tim works closely with the Franciscan Hospital for Children, meeting with young patients at Fenway Park before each Tuesday home game via his Wakefield Warriors program. He also supports the Space Coast Early Intervention Center and holds the annual Tim Wakefield Celebrity Golf Classic to raise funds for the center.
New York Yankees: Derek JeterCreated by Derek in his rookie season, the Turn 2 Foundation encourages children to adopt healthy lifestyles as well as focus on academics and leadership development. Since 1996, Turn 2 has awarded over $4.5 million in grants to fund scholarships, camps, after-school programs and substance abuse treatment and prevention initiatives. Derek himself fundraises for Turn 2 by hosting annual golf tournaments and dinners.
Toronto Blue Jays: Roy HalladayThrough their Doc's Box for Kids Program, Roy and Brandy Halladay have helped dozens of patients from the Hospital for Sick Children escape their daily reality of medical treatments and enjoy a fun-filled evening at the Rogers Centre. At Roy's invitation, Doc's Box participants are invited to spend the day in Roy's luxury box.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Toby HallKnown throughout Tampa Bay for his community service efforts, Toby is involved with numerous charities, including Piniella's Safe Start, the Ronald McDonald House, Dine with the Devil Rays, and the National Down Syndrome Society. Toby is also a constant participant in multiple team-based goodwill initiatives including the Let's Play ... For the Kids! program, which gives complimentary Rays tickets to local disadvantaged youth.
AL CENTRAL
Cleveland Indians: C.C. SabathiaC.C. has committed to donate $250,000 over the life of his current contract to the Larry Doby RBI Program. He also is directly involved with many local initiatives, including Red Cross Fire Prevention Week, the Cleveland Scholarship Program and Tribe Loving Care. Additionally, C.C. regularly donates food to the Vallejo (Calif.) Boys & Girls Club and, last Thanksgiving, he gave 200 turkey baskets to the Bethany Baptist Church.
Kansas City Royals: Mike SweeneyKansas City has benefited tremendously from Mike's dedication to children via his involvement with Children's Mercy Hospital and local chapters of the Boys & Girls Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Youth Front. As spokesman for Enjoy the Game, Mike actively promotes teamwork and good sportsmanship. Mike also hosts area charity and non-profit groups at Royals games through his "Sween Team."
Detroit Tigers: Mike MarothMike and his wife, Brooke, have initiated numerous community programs in Detroit since their arrival in 2002, including Unity in the Community, a neighborhood literacy festival, and a leftover food distribution program called "Rock and Wrap it Up!" Mike also works closely with the Disabled American Veterans, the Tigers Care Dreams Come True Program, Think Detroit and several Christian fellowships.
Minnesota Twins: Jacque JonesA former Boys & Girls Club member, Jacque gives back by throwing an annual club fundraiser and hosting club members at Twins games. He also works with the Twins Rookie League and RBI Program and speaks out against prejudice for the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. In addition, Jacque subsidizes Double J's Gang, a program that sends 5,000 children per year to Twins games free of charge.
Chicago White Sox: Aaron RowandAn inspiration to children in both Chicago and his hometown of Las Vegas, Aaron is active in numerous children's charities, including the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago and the White Sox Academy for Kids. Aaron also raises money for Books for Children, collects food for the Food Depository of Chicago and is a regular visitor to the Children's Hospital.
AL WEST
Oakland A's: Barry ZitoThis past spring, Barry founded Strikeouts For Troops, which provides the traditional comforts of home to recovering soldiers. He donates $100 to Strikeouts for Troops for every strikeout he records and has persuaded 17 other MLB players to do the same. Barry also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics and has danced in the Oakland Ballet's "Nutcracker" to raise funds.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Darin ErstadA great supporter of the Southern California region, Darin has helped build and refurbish playing fields in both Long Beach and Garden Grove. He also works closely with the Boys & Girls Club of Fullerton, where he and his wife, Jessica, serve Thanksgiving meals to families. In addition, Darin supports Riverside Community College, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Orange County Rescue Mission.
Seattle Mariners: Jamie MoyerJamie supports a number of Seattle-based organizations, including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where he sponsors a fund-raising cookbook. He also created the Moyer Foundation, and chairs the Bowl for Life tournament. Jamie also works closely with the LifeCenter Northwest Organ Donor Network, Hospice of Snohomish County, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Leukemia Foundation and the Teammates for Kids Foundation.
Texas Rangers: Michael YoungActive in a number of charitable causes in and around the Dallas area, Michael was selected as the recipient of the 2003 Harold McKinney Good Guy Award by the Dallas-Fort Worth Baseball Writers Association. Michael has been a supporter of the Players Trust's Buses for Baseball program and plays host to a number of underprivileged children attending Rangers games. Michael also serves as a program ambassador of the charitable organization Wipe Out Kids Cancer.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Atlanta Braves: Andruw JonesAs honorary director of Jaden's Ladder, Andruw donates time and money to survivors of domestic violence. He takes part in numerous team service efforts, including the Braves Foundation Turkey Drop, the team's Christmas in July hospital and nursing home visits, and the Atlanta Braves Dreams Come True program. Andruw's native Curacao also benefits from his generosity: He fully sponsors the island's Little League team.
Florida Marlins: Jeff ConineJeff and his wife, Cindy, co-founded the Conine All-Star Classic, an annual celebrity golf tournament that raises money for the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Jeff also is involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and several Miami charities. During the season, Jeff does his part to help cheer up sick children by inviting them to attend Marlins games as his personal guests.
New York Mets: Tom GlavineUpon coming to New York, Tom joined up with Tuesday's Children, an organization for children who lost parents on Sept. 11, 2001. Tom visits Tuesday's Children weekly and has established a $100,000 Mets college scholarship for their benefit. He also serves as the New York affiliate spokesperson for the Volunteers of America's 2005 Operation Backpack program. The program encourages the donation of backpacks and school supplies for NYC's homeless children.
Washington Nationals: Brad WilkersonBrad donates significant time and money to his hometown of Owensboro, Ky., through both his own foundation and numerous local charities. With the help of Brad's $20,000 donation, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund is currently building a new baseball field for the Boys & Girls Club of Owensboro, which also benefits from Brad's annual golf tournament. Brad also supports the YMCA and the First Tee Program.
Philadelphia Phillies: Bobby AbreuThis year marked the beginning of Bobby's involvement with the Philadelphia Action Team, a youth volunteer initiative administered by the MLB Players Trust and Volunteers of America. Bobby also works closely with the ALS Association by participating in the annual Phillies Phestival ALS fund-raiser and enables hundreds of underprivileged kids to attend Phillies games for free via his Abreu's Amigos program.
NL CENTRAL
Milwaukee Brewers: Ben SheetsBen is so devoted to supporting the community that structured giving is actually included in his contract. The contract promises that Ben will purchase $50,000 worth of Brewers tickets each season to distribute to disadvantaged youth. Ben also works closely with both the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation and the St. Jude Children's Research Foundation.
St. Louis Cardinals: Albert PujolsAs spokesman for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, Albert dedicates much of his time to working with Down Syndrome patients. He also serves as chairman of the Buddy Walk Fund Raiser and the St. Louis Down Syndrome Association Golf Benefit. In addition, Albert and his wife regularly deliver teddy bears to children at Cardinal Glennon Hospital.
Chicago Cubs: Kerry WoodKerry's primary charitable contributions occur through the Kerry Wood Strike Zone Celebrity Bowling Tournament, an annual event aimed at raising money to fight cancer. This year's event raised over $400,000 for the Children's Memorial Hospital. The Cubs pitcher also participates in Woody's Weekend Warriors, a charity ticket program, and supports MLB's RBI Program and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Jack WilsonThis past July, Jack hosted the inaugural Bowling with the Bucs charity tournament, which raised over $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He also served as the 2005 Honorary Chairman of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Hop-A-Thon, an event that raised over $200,000 for blood cancer research, and is active in the Junior Pirates Rookie Ball Program and the Pennsylvania Anti-Tobacco Campaign.
Cincinnati Reds: Sean CaseyDeeply committed to his community, Sean is involved with numerous charitable groups, including Cincinnati Lighthouse Youth Services, the World Hunger Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Reds Community Fund. Sean also participates in Casey's Crew, a program that invites at-risk children to Saturday Reds home games. The Joe Nexhall Character Education Fund, a character development program, also benefits from Sean's support.
Houston Astros: Andy PettitteAndy is known throughout baseball as a caring and giving individual. He has been actively involved supporting a number of charitable causes throughout his career, both in New York and in Houston. He dedicates much of his charitable efforts to help children in need, and was honored by the Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities program (RBI) for his efforts to help disadvantaged children learn important lessons through baseball. While a member of the New York Yankees, he was recognized by the New York Sports Photographers with its annual Good Guy Award.
NL WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks: Tony ClarkThis year, Tony established the MVP Foundation to help children achieve their goals through education and athletics. The MVP Foundation donates tickets to members of the Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix. Tony continues to be a driving force behind the MLB Players Trust, a charitable foundation created by the players to help the needy and encourage volunteerism. During his time with the Detroit Tigers, Tony supplied sports equipment to Detroit public schools and supported the Detroit Tigers Tony Clark Negro League Scholarship Fund.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Milton BradleySince arriving in L.A., Milton has become an extremely active member of the community. This year, Milton sponsored the creation of two local baseball academies, and in 2004, he founded Bradley's Crew, a program that brings local youths to Dodger Stadium. An active participant in the Dodgers Dream Foundation, Milton also visits numerous hospitals and schools via such programs as Take a Dodger to School.
San Diego Padres: Dave RobertsDave has contributed to the community this year by donating game-used items to the Rancho Buena Vista Little League and reading at the Del Mar Fair. He also supports to Magdalena Ecke YMCA and has donated a significant sum of money toward the purchase of baseball and softball equipment for local high schools through his Swipes for Schools program.
Colorado Rockies: Todd HeltonTodd lends his support to organizations in both Colorado -- where he currently resides -- and Tennessee, where he grew up. In Knoxville, Todd hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for the children's hospital. Todd also makes regular visits to the children's hospital in Denver and is involved in the Care and Share Program, which donates equipment to sick kids.
San Francisco Giants: Mike MathenyA former Roberto Clemente Service Award nominee, Mike works closely with many charities including his own Catch 22 Foundation, which raises money for baseball facilities for disabled children and donates tickets. Mike has also appeared in PSAs for the Walk America Heart Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and was the spokesman for the 2001 Pitch for Life bone marrow donor drive. Mike also lead efforts to construct a Miracle Field in the St. Louis Area, allowing children with special needs to enjoy the game of baseball in a safe and fun environment.

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Green a Clemente nominee

PHOENIX -- When the trade that sent him from the Dodgers to the Diamondbacks went through in January, Shawn Green had a pretty long to-do list.
Among his tasks were finding a place to live in the Valley and coordinating the moving of his wife Lindsay, who was expecting the couple's second child at the time, and their two-year-old daughter Presley. But there was also something else pressing for him.
Shawn and Lindsay sat down with Diamondbacks officials not long after the trade to discuss how he could best distribute $250,000 to charitable organizations in the area. The pair went over both where the money would go and how best to utilize their time making appearances and hospital visits.
"I've always felt like it was important to be involved in the community," Green said. "Over the years it has evolved as we've met different people and experienced things."
It's Green's commitment and involvement in the community that makes him the Diamondbacks' nominee for the 2005 Roberto Clemente Award.
Since 1971, Major League Baseball annually has presented an award (originally known as The Commissioner's Award) that recognizes the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team.
In 1973, following the tragic death of Hall of Famer Clemente, the award was renamed to honor the man whose spirit and goodwill always will be remembered.
A panel of baseball dignitaries, including Vera Clemente, Roberto's widow, and Commissioner Bud Selig, annually selects a winner from a list of 30 nominees, one from each club. Past winners include Al Leiter, Tony Gwynn, Sammy Sosa, Willie Mays, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken Jr. and Kirby Puckett.
Green has long had a soft spot for kids, but over the last few years, he has focused even more of his time and money on infant care after Presley suffered a bad viral infection when she was a week old that required her to remain in the hospital for a couple of weeks.
"Just experiencing that and just kind of seeing that, you get a very brief glimpse of what life is like when you have a child that was under the weather," Green said. "We were fortunate that she was fine and recovered quickly. But that's why the last couple of years we've focused more on infant charities."
With that in mind, $200,000 of the $250,000 Green donated was designated for Phoenix Children's Hospital ($100,000) and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center ($100,000), where the money can have a significant impact on the children and families who rely on the medical services at the two first-class facilities.
The money that goes to Phoenix Children's Hospital will be used to help renovate its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, while the money earmarked for St. Joseph's will go towards the Craniofacial Program, which is part of Children's Rehabilitative Services at the hospital.
The Greens also donated $50,000 to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, which was established in 1997, a year before the team began play. The money will be used to build "Shawn Green Field" as part of the "Diamonds Back Field Building Program," which provides first-class fields and safe places for kids to play baseball and softball.
Money is just one way that Green contributes to the community, but maybe the most valuable thing that he gives is his time. Whether it's appearing at Diamondbacks charity events or other fund raisers, there is something that Green does privately that has a very important impact.
"One thing I always try to do is to go to children's hospitals and visit the kids," he said. "Those are the ones that have always struck a chord with me. The kids that have leukemia, or who are in very difficult situations. The kids are always making the best of it."
Though he doesn't like to talk about it, Green grew particularly close with some of the kids he has visited. Two passed away from leukemia and he has not forgotten them.
"It's a pretty heavy experience when you go visit kids in the hospital," he said.
One of the children who touched Green was a 7-year-old in Los Angeles who was disappointed that there weren't more toys for the children at the hospital to play with. So he donated his life savings -- $15 -- toward buying more toys and Green and others pitched in to help and a fund was started.
"That's how all these kids are," Green said. "They see the big picture. It's pretty refreshing when you see that type of attitude. These kids are fighting for their lives and yet they're worried about other kids."

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Diamondbacks win second straight

PITTSBURGH -- In their search for a team even colder than they were, the Arizona Diamondbacks had to travel all the way to the Eastern Time zone.
Losing five in a row entering the series, the D-Backs won their second consecutive game against the reeling Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-2, Wednesday night at PNC Park.
"We just need to keep this thing rolling," rookie outfielder Andy Green said. "Get back in the race, keep wining ballgames."
The win came courtesy of a strong performance by a starting pitcher for the second consecutive night. This time it was Brandon Webb, who allowed only two runs on seven hits in his seven innings of work, walking one and striking out four.
"That sets the tone for everything," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "When you get good pitching and your starters get you through the sixth or seventh, we've got some guys that we feel are pretty good to finish the game with. [Buddy] Groom, [Jose] Valverde ... When our starters go deep into a game, we feel good about getting the win."
Curiously, Webb (12-11) said nothing was working for him in the pregame bullpen session. That was in stark contrast to immediately before his previous outing, Friday against the San Francisco Giants. That evening, Webb felt good about his bullpen but was torched for six runs. So when he was not feeling comfortable on Wednesday, he knew better than to panic.
"I was not on at all mechanically, not very sound," Webb said. "I was saying [before the game], 'This is the day I will probably go out and throw a no-hitter.' The last time in the bullpen, my stuff was some of my better stuff."
He might not have had his best stuff -- in addition to the seven hits, the sinkerballer allowed four flyball outs and a towering home run to Daryle Ward -- but Webb was good enough against the Pirates team that has lost six in a row, 11 of 12 and 16 of 20. Pittsburgh lost its 10th consecutive game at PNC Park and managed only the Ward homer in the sixth -- a ball that traveled over the elevated right-field seats and bounced into the Allegheny River -- and a Jack Wilson double that scored Nate McLouth in the third.
"I left [the ball to Ward] out over the middle of the plate," said Webb. "He hammered the thing. It was well-struck. But it was only one mistake and a solo home run, which is not going to beat you, usually."
Offensively for the Diamondbacks, Craig Counsell and Shawn Green each had two hits and Troy Glaus was on base three times. Andy Green scored two runs and drove in another. Recalled from Triple-A Tucson last weekend, Andy's first hit of the season came with two outs in the second, when his double scored Shawn.
"You hate to look up on any scoreboard and see .000 as your batting average," Green said. "So it was nice to get that first hit and felt good to contribute to the second win in a row."
Andy scored two batters later on a single by Webb, only his fourth hit of the season.
In the third, Shawn made it 3-0 -- and in the process ended the evening early for Pirates starter Mark Redman (5-15) -- when he singled to drive in Conor Jackson.

The Diamondbacks got an unearned run in the sixth to extend their lead to 4-1. With one out, Andy walked and Chris Snyder reached on an error. Webb's sacrifice moved them up a base each and Craig Counsell reached on an infield single that dribbled just past pitcher Brian Meadows. Andy scored on the play, but Snyder got caught in a rundown and was retired.
Webb got out of jams in the fifth and seventh innings with no damage done.
"I made my pitches when I had to, and that's what counts," Webb said. "There were a couple times when I made some good pitches and the guys made some good plays behind me to get me out of it."
The bullpen took over where Webb left off, with Tim Worrell and Jose Valverde each allowing only one baserunner in their respective innings of work. Valverde picked up his sixth save.
"The starters have been starting well, going into games six or seven innings," Webb said. "And then the bullpen is coming in and closing it out. That's what we need."

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/

Notes: Nippert to make debut

PITTSBURGH -- It might have happened more than 20 years ago, but Bob Melvin remembers it like it was yesterday.
The day he made his Major League debut, Melvin was a 23-year-old catcher when he played in his first big league game as a Detroit Tiger in 1985.
"It was an out-of-body experience," the Arizona Diamondbacks manager said. "It's something I'll never forget. I never want to lose sight of that and how special it is. Even getting here, on your first day, and being part of it, in uniform out here on a big league field. ... Once you go out there and take your first at-bat or throw your first pitch in a big league game, there's nothing like it."
Melvin, who would go on to play for 10 seasons in the Majors with seven teams, was reminiscing before Wednesday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates because Dustin Nippert was to make his Major League debut the following afternoon against the Pirates.
Nippert has been with the club since his recall on Saturday, meaning he has had the time to meet his teammates, get acclimated to the clubhouse and eradicate the jitters often associated with putting on a Major League uniform for the first time.
"I've said it before, typically the baseball gods will take care of the first game for you," Melvin said, literally knocking on the wooden bench in the Arizona dugout as he talked. "Usually, they do. And I'm as superstitious as the next guy. Once you settle in and throw a few pitches, you know it's 60 feet, six inches, just like any other ballpark, and all that stuff goes away and you settle into that familiar routine.
"It won't be due to lack of adrenaline, I'll tell you that."
Jackson to No. 3 hole: Rookie Conor Jackson was placed in the third spot in the batting order for the first time in his young career on Wednesday night. The 23-year-old right-handed batter was hitting .224 with two home runs and six RBIs in 25 games this season.
"We could have put [Shawn Green] there but with two lefties [the club has faced in a row] and the way Conor is pretty adept at getting on base and drawing walks ... That way, Greeny can knock guys in when C.J. does his thing."
Regular first baseman Tony Clark has been suffering from sinus and nasal pain since Sunday and was not in the starting lineup for either of the first two games of the series in Pittsburgh.
Clark indicated, however, he could play and Melvin said his decision not to start Clark was not related to his illness.
Gonzo's rest gives Green a chance: Outfielder Luis Gonzalez, 38, had played in 135 of the D-Backs' 139 games before Wednesday's contest, when Melvin gave him a day off.
Melvin said it had nothing to do with Pittsburgh starting a left-hander (Mark Redman), he actually is batting a point higher against southpaws than he does against righties. Melvin just wanted to sit Gonzalez for a game and get Andy Green a start.
"We thought we would get him out there in left field, where he has experience, and get him a start," Melvin said of Andy, who was the Most Valuable Player of the Pacific Coast League, which he led in hits, doubles, extra-base hits, runs scored and triples. "He was here last year [for 46 games] so he knows how it works. We've got a premier guy out there in Gonzo who has to play every day."
Melvin said that the organization views the 28-year-old as a super-utility player as it looks ahead to Andy's role for 2006 because of all the different positions he can play defensively and, of course, the offense he has displayed at the Minor League level.
"You look at the people we have coming back and that seems like a good role for him," Melvin said. "That doesn't mean he shouldn't try to come to Spring Training and win himself a job. But one of the things he brings us is flexibility."
Green honored with Clemente Award: The Pirates had a pregame ceremony to present shortstop Jack Wilson as their nominee for the 2005 Roberto Clemente Award on Wednesday. Clemente played for the Pirates throughout his career and died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve in 1972 while on a humanitarian mission to assist victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. Since '92, Major League Baseball has held Roberto Clemente Day each September to honor the 30 club nominees.
Shawn Green was given that distinction by the Diamondbacks this season. The award is given annually to the player who "combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community."
Shawn, in only his first year in Arizona, has made a difference by donating $250,000 to the Phoenix Children's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center and the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. He was also the keynote speaker in May at a luncheon fundraiser for the Jewish National Fund.
On deck: The Pirates and D-Backs complete their season series at PNC Park with a Thursday afternoon contest. Nippert will face Pittsburgh right-hander Josh Fogg (6-10, 4.97 ERA).

Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/