INSIDE PITCH
Manager Bob Melvin may have figured out a way to ease up the
congestion for all his corner infielders, but how long it lasts remains to be
seen.
For Monday's game at Milwaukee, however, he started first baseman
Conor Jackson in left field. That move allowed Melvin to go with rookie
Mark Reynolds at third base and play Chad Tracy at first.
It also meant more time in right field for Eric Byrnes, who has been
asked to play all three outfield positions this year, even though he
seems to have had most of his problems in right.
But with Carlos Quentin struggling to find his swing at Class AAA
Tucson, Byrnes could settle into right for a while if Jackson splits time
in left with Scott Hairston or Jeff Salazar. Quentin, however, is
expected back in the majors at some point, as Melvin has called him "our
right fielder."
"I feel good with it," Jackson, who went 0-for-4, said of playing in
left. "I don't care where I am on the field, I just want to play. I
think we're all swinging it pretty good."
Jackson played outfield earlier in his pro career, but has spent the
better part of the past three seasons at first base. But Tracy is
better there, defensively, and Reynolds seems better at third than Tracy.
Meanwhile, the club can still bring the big bat of Tony Clark, another
first baseman and a switch hitter, off the bench.
Monday was the first time in a National League park that Reynolds,
Tracy and Jackson were in the starting lineup at the same time. It was
just the second time Jackson has ever played left in the majors.
BREWERS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 3: Arizona got sole home runs from Chris Young, Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds, but it wasn't enough as the Brewers
hit two in the first run and scored another run in the fifth to beat
Micah Owings and the Diamondbacks in the first game of a four-game
series at Miller Park.
Corey Hart hit a solo homer, Ryan Braun added a two-run shot and
Prince Fielder hit a two-out RBI double to score what proved to be the
winning run. Francisco Cordero struck out the side in the ninth for his
29th save.
The Diamondbacks have lost two in a row and 10 of their past 14
overall. They also have now lost a season-high six straight on the road and
nine of their last 10 away from home.
Owings (5-5) allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings.
NOTES, QUOTES
--OF Jeff DaVanon was activated from the 60-day disabled list and
was recalled from his rehab assignment with Class AAA Tucson. OF Jeff
Salazar, who had been a bright spot since being recalled several days ago,
was assigned to Tucson.
"He's played well enough to stay," manager Bob Melvin said.
--LHP Doug Davis on his first visit back to Milwaukee since being
acquired in the off-season in a trade with the Brewers: "I wouldn't mind
coming back (as a free agent in 2009), but I wouldn't mind staying
here, either. I'm happy in both places."
--The Diamondbacks have drawn walks just 31 times since June 29, the
fewest amount in the majors during that span.
--INF Chad Tracy's right knee, which has been bothered by
tendinitis, was feeling better on Monday. He was back in the starting lineup,
playing first base against the Brewers, although he went 0-for-4.
--OF Justin Upton homered for the second consecutive game on Sunday
for Class AA Mobile and now has hit 10 in 212 at-bats there.
BY THE NUMBERS: 75 -- Text messages received by outfielder Jeff
Salazar after his highlight-film catch in right field on July 13 to rob San
Diego's Brian Giles of a home run when he scaled the fence to pull the
ball back.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Even if I play the year out, I'm not going to shut
the door to the Diamondbacks. We haven't set a deadline. Either it'll
get done or I'll play the year out, and we can hopefully come up with
something in the off-season." -- Outfielder Eric Byrnes, who is set to
become a free agent after the season, on the possibility of signing a
multi-year deal with the Diamondbacks.
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