INSIDE PITCH
They went to the last minute with Justin Upton. They went to the
last second with Stephen Drew. Maybe things will be the same Wednesday
night (at midnight Eastern time) when the Diamondbacks come to the bitter
end in negotiations with first-round draft pick Max Scherzer.
If the Diamondbacks don't agree to terms with the right-handed
pitcher and former first-round draft pick come Wednesday night, Scherzer
will re-enter the draft.
"We'll give it our best shot," Diamondbacks general manager Josh
Byrnes said. "We'll see what happens, but it could come right down to the
wire."
Byrnes has had several conversations with agent Scott Boras
regarding a possible deal for Scherzer, and there were some indications within
the organization this past weekend that the deal would get done.
The Diamondbacks were said to be offering a deal around $3 million,
and one source within the club indicated Monday that Scherzer would be
in the fold come Wednesday.
Scherzer was 1-0 after three starts for the independent Fort Worth
Cats, and had a 0.56 ERA with 25 strikeouts after his first 16 innings.
DIAMONDBACKS 5, PHILLIES 4: The Diamondbacks avoided a potential
setback Monday, as major league saves leader Jose Valverde couldn't batten
down the hatches and Brandon Lyon had to come on and protect Doug Davis
down the stretch as the Diamondbacks won their fifth straight game.
Lyon replaced Valverde in the bottom of the ninth at Citizens Bank
Park after the closer had nearly blown a 5-1 lead. He got Rod Barajas to
fly out to deep right field on a 3-2 pitch with runners at the corners,
preserving the victory for Davis (3-6).
Conor Jackson went 3-for-4 with a career-high four RBIs, but nearly
lost it for the Diamondbacks when he let a ball get by him at first
base as the Phillies made a late comeback attempt against Valverde.
NOTES, QUOTES
--LHP Randy Johnson threw a 50-pitch bullpen session Monday in
Philadelphia and is still on target to make his next start Wednesday against
the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. He missed his last start because of
what the club called tendonitis in his left forearm.
--3B Chad Tracy hit off the tee and will take light batting practice
on Tuesday in his efforts to make a return from the disabled list,
where he has been for several days with a ribcage strain.
--RHP Micah Owings, who makes another start again Tuesday, hit .382
with six doubles and a homer last season in Class AA and Triple-A.
--3B Mark Reynolds bruised his left shin on a railing while chasing
a foul ball down the left-field line, but after some treatment, he is
expected to be in the starting lineup again Tuesday.
--Manager Bob Melvin on Reynolds during batting practice: "I've
never seen anything like it. It reminds you of (Mark) McGwire in his day,
when he was hitting balls over bleachers and out of buildings."
--LHP Doug Davis didn't allow a walk on Monday for the first time in
13 starts dating back to last season when he was with the Brewers.
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