azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Bob McManaman and David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 9, 2005 12:00 AM
After the way things transpired for him on Opening Day, Javier Vazquez couldn't wait for a chance at redemption. It comes tonight when the Diamondbacks No. 1 starter gets a second chance at his first victory.
And he gets a crack at keeping his ERA in check instead of having it soar out of control. This time, it comes against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, against whom he is 2-5 lifetime with a career 3.86 ERA.
"It's going to be another day and I'll try to pitch well and get a 'W' for the team," said Vazquez, who lasted 1 2/3 innings Monday against the Cubs after allowing seven earned runs and 10 hits. "When you have a game like that, you have to forget about that game and start thinking about the next one.
"Sometimes, you just have to say, 'Hey, they got me that day.' But I feel great. I'm just glad for the opportunity to pitch."
Manager Bob Melvin said he hasn't had any sort of special talks with Vazquez since the Opening Day disaster and doesn't expect a repeat performance.
"If he goes out there and pitches his game and if it's true to form after a game like that, he's going to come back and pitch well," Melvin said.
Catch this
Both Chris Snyder and Koyie Hill have made two starts behind the plate for Arizona, but Melvin remains mum on how he plans to split up their playing time.
"Day to day, whatever I think is best for that particular day," he said.
Melvin made it clear, however, that he isn't going to let his pitchers decide who will start at catcher. Melvin used to be a designated receiver for Ben McDonald in Baltimore and Dave Dravecky in San Francisco.
"You don't want to get to a point where your pitchers are dictating who they want to catch them," Melvin said. "I'll listen to it, but like I said, I don't want anybody telling us who they think the lineup should be."
Race fans unite
Sunday's 1:40 p.m. series finale against the Dodgers is NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Day, and fans can have their photos taken with the 2001 World Series trophy and the Nextel Cup, as well as test a stock car simulator along with local rock star Alice Cooper.
The American Red Cross will be collecting old wireless telephones to be recycled. The festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. at the main entrance to the ballpark.
Short hops
Diamondbacks officials have been trading calls with agent Scott Boras in an effort to continue negotiations with unsigned first-round draft pick Stephen Drew and the sides could meet face to face next week in Los Angeles to speed up a resolution.
• Right-hander Jose Valverde (biceps tendinitis) is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Sunday, but first will throw in a series of minor league games before the team considers activating him to join the 25-man roster.
• After weeks of on-again, off-again reports that catcher/utility man Robby Hammock was to rejoin the organization on a minor league contract, a deal was reached over the phone and is expected to be announced today.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0409dbnb0409.html
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 9, 2005 12:00 AM
After the way things transpired for him on Opening Day, Javier Vazquez couldn't wait for a chance at redemption. It comes tonight when the Diamondbacks No. 1 starter gets a second chance at his first victory.
And he gets a crack at keeping his ERA in check instead of having it soar out of control. This time, it comes against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, against whom he is 2-5 lifetime with a career 3.86 ERA.
"It's going to be another day and I'll try to pitch well and get a 'W' for the team," said Vazquez, who lasted 1 2/3 innings Monday against the Cubs after allowing seven earned runs and 10 hits. "When you have a game like that, you have to forget about that game and start thinking about the next one.
"Sometimes, you just have to say, 'Hey, they got me that day.' But I feel great. I'm just glad for the opportunity to pitch."
Manager Bob Melvin said he hasn't had any sort of special talks with Vazquez since the Opening Day disaster and doesn't expect a repeat performance.
"If he goes out there and pitches his game and if it's true to form after a game like that, he's going to come back and pitch well," Melvin said.
Catch this
Both Chris Snyder and Koyie Hill have made two starts behind the plate for Arizona, but Melvin remains mum on how he plans to split up their playing time.
"Day to day, whatever I think is best for that particular day," he said.
Melvin made it clear, however, that he isn't going to let his pitchers decide who will start at catcher. Melvin used to be a designated receiver for Ben McDonald in Baltimore and Dave Dravecky in San Francisco.
"You don't want to get to a point where your pitchers are dictating who they want to catch them," Melvin said. "I'll listen to it, but like I said, I don't want anybody telling us who they think the lineup should be."
Race fans unite
Sunday's 1:40 p.m. series finale against the Dodgers is NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Day, and fans can have their photos taken with the 2001 World Series trophy and the Nextel Cup, as well as test a stock car simulator along with local rock star Alice Cooper.
The American Red Cross will be collecting old wireless telephones to be recycled. The festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. at the main entrance to the ballpark.
Short hops
Diamondbacks officials have been trading calls with agent Scott Boras in an effort to continue negotiations with unsigned first-round draft pick Stephen Drew and the sides could meet face to face next week in Los Angeles to speed up a resolution.
• Right-hander Jose Valverde (biceps tendinitis) is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Sunday, but first will throw in a series of minor league games before the team considers activating him to join the 25-man roster.
• After weeks of on-again, off-again reports that catcher/utility man Robby Hammock was to rejoin the organization on a minor league contract, a deal was reached over the phone and is expected to be announced today.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0409dbnb0409.html
