Hernandez helps D-Backs down Friars
09/30/2006
PHOENIX -- Luis Gonzalez is a 16-year veteran, but according to manager Bob Melvin, there are still some areas that he could improve on.
After Gonzalez reached second base in the eighth inning on a single and an error, Melvin pulled the left fielder for a pinch-runner so the fans could greet him with an extended standing ovation. Gonzalez, whose D-Backs career comes to an end this weekend, tipped his hat before ducking into the dugout.
"But he's got to work on his curtain call," Melvin said. "He's got to stay out there a little bit longer and let them come and get you. He started running in a little bit early. The next inning, had he not gotten a hit, I would have sent him out there and try to get an ovation, but we're going to have to work on that with him."
The moment was perfectly orchestrated, as was the Diamondbacks' 3-1 win over the Padres in front of 30,700 at Chase Field on Friday night. Livan Hernandez provided a solid outing and did not allow a run until the seventh, while the Arizona hitters provided just enough run support.
Hernandez (13-13) felt so good on the mound that he even experimented with his arm angle a little bit, throwing a few pitches from the side rather than over top.
"I tried to do something I got used to throwing before," said Hernandez, who gave up one run on four hits over seven innings. "I tried to change the arm. The sinker was working perfectly. This is what I want to do next year -- is try to throw the ball on the side like I've thrown before, but the knee [hasn't] let me this year."
The D-Backs' win coupled with the Dodgers' victory over the Giants put San Diego and Los Angeles in a tie atop the National League West standings.
Arizona got on the board early as Craig Counsell walked to begin the third, and Eric Byrnes followed with a two-run homer to left field.
In the seventh, Hernandez retired the first two batters before issuing a walk to Russell Branyan. Branyan came around to score on pinch-hitter Ryan Klesko's single to right, bringing the Padres within one run.
"He pitched great," Melvin said of his veteran righty. "Klesko hits the ball in the hole over there, and other than that, he's probably still pitching. For a guy that in the first half because of his knee wasn't out in the eighth inning very long, he's been out there plenty of times for us. You get used to this, because next year, he's going to be out there for a while."
Arizona got the run right back in the bottom of the seventh, as Conor Jackson led off the frame with a double. Stephen Drew then hit into a fielder's choice, which forced Jackson out at third. But that didn't matter in the end as Drew came around to score on Carlos Quentin's double to left-center field.
The Padres will look to clinch at least the NL Wild Card with a win on Saturday, when they send David Wells to the hill. The D-Backs will go with Juan Cruz for most likely two innings, and then Edgar Gonzalez.
Source:http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
PHOENIX -- Luis Gonzalez is a 16-year veteran, but according to manager Bob Melvin, there are still some areas that he could improve on.
After Gonzalez reached second base in the eighth inning on a single and an error, Melvin pulled the left fielder for a pinch-runner so the fans could greet him with an extended standing ovation. Gonzalez, whose D-Backs career comes to an end this weekend, tipped his hat before ducking into the dugout.
"But he's got to work on his curtain call," Melvin said. "He's got to stay out there a little bit longer and let them come and get you. He started running in a little bit early. The next inning, had he not gotten a hit, I would have sent him out there and try to get an ovation, but we're going to have to work on that with him."
The moment was perfectly orchestrated, as was the Diamondbacks' 3-1 win over the Padres in front of 30,700 at Chase Field on Friday night. Livan Hernandez provided a solid outing and did not allow a run until the seventh, while the Arizona hitters provided just enough run support.
Hernandez (13-13) felt so good on the mound that he even experimented with his arm angle a little bit, throwing a few pitches from the side rather than over top.
"I tried to do something I got used to throwing before," said Hernandez, who gave up one run on four hits over seven innings. "I tried to change the arm. The sinker was working perfectly. This is what I want to do next year -- is try to throw the ball on the side like I've thrown before, but the knee [hasn't] let me this year."
The D-Backs' win coupled with the Dodgers' victory over the Giants put San Diego and Los Angeles in a tie atop the National League West standings.
Arizona got on the board early as Craig Counsell walked to begin the third, and Eric Byrnes followed with a two-run homer to left field.
In the seventh, Hernandez retired the first two batters before issuing a walk to Russell Branyan. Branyan came around to score on pinch-hitter Ryan Klesko's single to right, bringing the Padres within one run.
"He pitched great," Melvin said of his veteran righty. "Klesko hits the ball in the hole over there, and other than that, he's probably still pitching. For a guy that in the first half because of his knee wasn't out in the eighth inning very long, he's been out there plenty of times for us. You get used to this, because next year, he's going to be out there for a while."
Arizona got the run right back in the bottom of the seventh, as Conor Jackson led off the frame with a double. Stephen Drew then hit into a fielder's choice, which forced Jackson out at third. But that didn't matter in the end as Drew came around to score on Carlos Quentin's double to left-center field.
The Padres will look to clinch at least the NL Wild Card with a win on Saturday, when they send David Wells to the hill. The D-Backs will go with Juan Cruz for most likely two innings, and then Edgar Gonzalez.
Source:http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
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