azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 22, 2005 12:00 AM
TUCSON - Michael Gosling took the mound Monday knowing a decision has yet to be made on his immediate future by manager Bob Melvin.
The Diamondbacks manager made it clear that he has not reached a decision on a No. 5 starter and that Gosling would get another start Sunday, regardless how he pitched against the White Sox at Tucson Electric Park.
Gosling had to feel better about his future after pitching four scoreless innings when he didn't feel he had his best stuff.
"I was feeling confident my last two outings, and I felt like I've been able to build on that," said Gosling, who hasn't given up a run in his past 10 innings after a couple shaky performances. "I've got a nice little streak going now, and I'm just trying to carry that game to game."
With Oscar Villarreal being assigned to bullpen duty earlier in the day, the competition for the No. 5 job in the rotation is down to Gosling and fellow left-hander Brad Halsey, who pitches on Thursday. After his next start, vs. the Royals on Sunday, Gosling is on the schedule, Melvin said, to pitch April 1 vs. the Boston Red Sox at Bank One Ballpark.
"He's been pitching great, and I've been trying to keep up with him," Gosling said of Halsey. "But I think the coaching staff is doing it the right way. . . . There's really no reason to make any decision early, because there's a couple weeks until the season starts and I'm sure they want to make sure who they do pick is pitching well when it counts."
Looking good
It hasn't taken long for Scott Hairston to make the transition from second base to playing both corner outfield spots, Melvin said.
"He's actually looked very natural for a guy who hasn't done it before," Melvin said. "At the corner positions, it can be difficult . . . because you have to deal with top spin and tougher angles, but he's really looked like a natural, especially out there in left field."
Hairston, who hit his first home run Monday, said he's been picking up tips from watching others play in the outfield and has been receiving quality instruction from first base coach Brett Butler, a longtime major league center fielder.
Short hops
A couple veterans got some work in Monday during a minor league intrasquad game at the Kino Sports Complex.
Right-hander Russ Ortiz pitched 5 2/3 innings and threw 86 pitches, giving up three earned runs off seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Right-hander Jose Valverde, meanwhile, was tagged for three runs in one inning of relief, giving up three hits and back-to-back home runs to Alan Zinter and Kyle Nichols.
• Non-roster pitchers Brandon Medders and Jon Cannon were reassigned to minor league camp.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0322dbacksnb0322.html
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 22, 2005 12:00 AM
TUCSON - Michael Gosling took the mound Monday knowing a decision has yet to be made on his immediate future by manager Bob Melvin.
The Diamondbacks manager made it clear that he has not reached a decision on a No. 5 starter and that Gosling would get another start Sunday, regardless how he pitched against the White Sox at Tucson Electric Park.
Gosling had to feel better about his future after pitching four scoreless innings when he didn't feel he had his best stuff.
"I was feeling confident my last two outings, and I felt like I've been able to build on that," said Gosling, who hasn't given up a run in his past 10 innings after a couple shaky performances. "I've got a nice little streak going now, and I'm just trying to carry that game to game."
With Oscar Villarreal being assigned to bullpen duty earlier in the day, the competition for the No. 5 job in the rotation is down to Gosling and fellow left-hander Brad Halsey, who pitches on Thursday. After his next start, vs. the Royals on Sunday, Gosling is on the schedule, Melvin said, to pitch April 1 vs. the Boston Red Sox at Bank One Ballpark.
"He's been pitching great, and I've been trying to keep up with him," Gosling said of Halsey. "But I think the coaching staff is doing it the right way. . . . There's really no reason to make any decision early, because there's a couple weeks until the season starts and I'm sure they want to make sure who they do pick is pitching well when it counts."
Looking good
It hasn't taken long for Scott Hairston to make the transition from second base to playing both corner outfield spots, Melvin said.
"He's actually looked very natural for a guy who hasn't done it before," Melvin said. "At the corner positions, it can be difficult . . . because you have to deal with top spin and tougher angles, but he's really looked like a natural, especially out there in left field."
Hairston, who hit his first home run Monday, said he's been picking up tips from watching others play in the outfield and has been receiving quality instruction from first base coach Brett Butler, a longtime major league center fielder.
Short hops
A couple veterans got some work in Monday during a minor league intrasquad game at the Kino Sports Complex.
Right-hander Russ Ortiz pitched 5 2/3 innings and threw 86 pitches, giving up three earned runs off seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Right-hander Jose Valverde, meanwhile, was tagged for three runs in one inning of relief, giving up three hits and back-to-back home runs to Alan Zinter and Kyle Nichols.
• Non-roster pitchers Brandon Medders and Jon Cannon were reassigned to minor league camp.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0322dbacksnb0322.html
