azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 26, 2005 12:00 AM
Bob Melvin has got some tough decisions to make when it comes to finalizing his 25-man roster and he still isn't tipping his hand on the final few spots left up for grabs.
One position could become more defined on Sunday, depending on how left-hander Michael Gosling pitches in Tucson against the Kansas City Royals. Gosling has been running neck-and-neck with fellow left-hander Brad Halsey in the competition for the No. 5 starter's job.
"We'll see if he keeps pace and the last several times, he certainly has," Melvin said.
Another player's future will be settled on Monday, when the Diamondbacks must make a determination on veteran catcher Kelly Stinnett. A non-roster invitee, Stinnett, 35, can ask for his release on Monday if he is told he won't be on the major league roster.
He was brought to camp with the expectation of winning a job as Arizona's backup, but if Melvin decides to go with Koyie Hill and Chris Snyder, then Stinnett is out. Melvin said he won't carry three catchers to start the year.
"Everybody's been playing well; that's going to be very difficult," Melvin said of his three catchers, adding "anything is possible" as to whom starts and who becomes the backup.
As for the bullpen, three spots are taken with Greg Aquino as the closer and Mike Koplove and Randy Choate, a left-hander, as late-inning relievers. Others thought to be near locks are right-handers Oscar Villarreal and Brandon Lyon. Brian Bruney, meanwhile, is making a push to be considered ahead of Jose Valverde, who has an agitated biceps tendon.
Valverde played catch on Friday and Melvin still hasn't decided when the right-hander will next pitch in a game. If the Diamondbacks don't think he's ready to go, they could place him on the disabled list and only lose him for the first six days of the regular season, but that scenario has not been discussed internally.
Don't 'bee' silly
The Diamondbacks were still joking about the swarm of bees that caused an early end to their game in Tucson against Colorado on Thursday. None of the Arizona players was stung and as far as Melvin knows, none of his players has any allergic reactions to bee stings.
"As long as there weren't any clowns flying around, I'm safe," said Melvin, who has a phobia about clowns.
Luis Gonzalez hired a few clowns a couple years ago during a spring training game against the Mariners during Melvin's first season as Seattle's skipper, and had the clowns parade atop Melvin's dugout, much to the manager's dislike.
Melvin, Arizona's bench coach in 2001 and 2002, vowed he would get Gonzalez back this spring, but has yet to pull a practical joke of his own on the star left fielder.
"Nah, I need the big guy on my side," Melvin said.
Say goodnight, Gracie
Pitcher Brandon Webb has decided upon a new jersey number to wear after agreeing to give up his No. 55 to fellow pitcher Shawn Estes. Webb has picked No. 17 - Mark Grace's old number.
"Hopefully the hits will rub off because he might be the worst hitter I've ever seen," joked Grace, the Diamondbacks' TV analyst and former first baseman. "Gosh, that number's fallen a long, long way."
D-Backs Report
At Surprise Stadium: Diamondbacks 10, Rangers 6
Diamondbacks record: 13-11
At the plate: 3B Troy Glaus went 2 for 4 with one RBI and is hitting .529 (9 for 17) with men in scoring position. 2B Matt Kata had two singles, extending his hitting streak to eight games. 1B Chad Tracy hit his second home run of spring training, which gave Arizona a 7-6 lead in the eighth. LF Luis Gonzalez had a two-run double during a five-run third.
On the mound: RHP Javier Vazquez worked six innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Kevin Mench hit a solo home run off Vazquez in the fourth. RHP Greg Aquino, in his third outing since resting a sore elbow for two weeks, gave up four hits, including a solo home run, but notched three strikeouts in his only inning.
In the field: Quinton McCracken and Shawn Green each had outfield assists. Glaus made a great backhanded catch on a difficult pop foul in the sixth, when he had to range into left field territory.
He said it: "His swing and his stride, it's just right in on the pitch. It's not like he tries to get out of the way or anything, either. It happens all the time. I know he sees it coming. Most of the pitches he gets hit on are probably strikes, inside-of-the-corner strikes. It's Carlos, you know? You see it so many times, it's just natural." - Conor Jackson on fellow prospect Carlos Quentin, who was hit by a pitch 43 times last season.
Today: Diamondbacks vs. Padres at Peoria Sports Complex, 1:05 p.m. The Diamondbacks will start RHP Russ Ortiz vs. LHP Darrell May.
- Bob McManaman
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0326dbnotes0326.html
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 26, 2005 12:00 AM
Bob Melvin has got some tough decisions to make when it comes to finalizing his 25-man roster and he still isn't tipping his hand on the final few spots left up for grabs.
One position could become more defined on Sunday, depending on how left-hander Michael Gosling pitches in Tucson against the Kansas City Royals. Gosling has been running neck-and-neck with fellow left-hander Brad Halsey in the competition for the No. 5 starter's job.
"We'll see if he keeps pace and the last several times, he certainly has," Melvin said.
Another player's future will be settled on Monday, when the Diamondbacks must make a determination on veteran catcher Kelly Stinnett. A non-roster invitee, Stinnett, 35, can ask for his release on Monday if he is told he won't be on the major league roster.
He was brought to camp with the expectation of winning a job as Arizona's backup, but if Melvin decides to go with Koyie Hill and Chris Snyder, then Stinnett is out. Melvin said he won't carry three catchers to start the year.
"Everybody's been playing well; that's going to be very difficult," Melvin said of his three catchers, adding "anything is possible" as to whom starts and who becomes the backup.
As for the bullpen, three spots are taken with Greg Aquino as the closer and Mike Koplove and Randy Choate, a left-hander, as late-inning relievers. Others thought to be near locks are right-handers Oscar Villarreal and Brandon Lyon. Brian Bruney, meanwhile, is making a push to be considered ahead of Jose Valverde, who has an agitated biceps tendon.
Valverde played catch on Friday and Melvin still hasn't decided when the right-hander will next pitch in a game. If the Diamondbacks don't think he's ready to go, they could place him on the disabled list and only lose him for the first six days of the regular season, but that scenario has not been discussed internally.
Don't 'bee' silly
The Diamondbacks were still joking about the swarm of bees that caused an early end to their game in Tucson against Colorado on Thursday. None of the Arizona players was stung and as far as Melvin knows, none of his players has any allergic reactions to bee stings.
"As long as there weren't any clowns flying around, I'm safe," said Melvin, who has a phobia about clowns.
Luis Gonzalez hired a few clowns a couple years ago during a spring training game against the Mariners during Melvin's first season as Seattle's skipper, and had the clowns parade atop Melvin's dugout, much to the manager's dislike.
Melvin, Arizona's bench coach in 2001 and 2002, vowed he would get Gonzalez back this spring, but has yet to pull a practical joke of his own on the star left fielder.
"Nah, I need the big guy on my side," Melvin said.
Say goodnight, Gracie
Pitcher Brandon Webb has decided upon a new jersey number to wear after agreeing to give up his No. 55 to fellow pitcher Shawn Estes. Webb has picked No. 17 - Mark Grace's old number.
"Hopefully the hits will rub off because he might be the worst hitter I've ever seen," joked Grace, the Diamondbacks' TV analyst and former first baseman. "Gosh, that number's fallen a long, long way."
D-Backs Report
At Surprise Stadium: Diamondbacks 10, Rangers 6
Diamondbacks record: 13-11
At the plate: 3B Troy Glaus went 2 for 4 with one RBI and is hitting .529 (9 for 17) with men in scoring position. 2B Matt Kata had two singles, extending his hitting streak to eight games. 1B Chad Tracy hit his second home run of spring training, which gave Arizona a 7-6 lead in the eighth. LF Luis Gonzalez had a two-run double during a five-run third.
On the mound: RHP Javier Vazquez worked six innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Kevin Mench hit a solo home run off Vazquez in the fourth. RHP Greg Aquino, in his third outing since resting a sore elbow for two weeks, gave up four hits, including a solo home run, but notched three strikeouts in his only inning.
In the field: Quinton McCracken and Shawn Green each had outfield assists. Glaus made a great backhanded catch on a difficult pop foul in the sixth, when he had to range into left field territory.
He said it: "His swing and his stride, it's just right in on the pitch. It's not like he tries to get out of the way or anything, either. It happens all the time. I know he sees it coming. Most of the pitches he gets hit on are probably strikes, inside-of-the-corner strikes. It's Carlos, you know? You see it so many times, it's just natural." - Conor Jackson on fellow prospect Carlos Quentin, who was hit by a pitch 43 times last season.
Today: Diamondbacks vs. Padres at Peoria Sports Complex, 1:05 p.m. The Diamondbacks will start RHP Russ Ortiz vs. LHP Darrell May.
- Bob McManaman
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0326dbnotes0326.html
