Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 26

The Arizona Republic FRIDAY, MARCI 1 18, 2005 C9 Thursday's best San Diego's Ryan Klesko drove in six of San Diego's first seven runs on two homers and a single in a 16-7 win over Colorado. SFEMG TRAJNING Lyon's 4 pitches working perfectly so far Oft-injured righty looking sharp i ar D-BACKS REPORT At Tucson Electric Park: Diamondbacks (ss) 13, Brewers 10, 10 innings. At HI Corbett Field: Diamondbacks (ss) 5, Rockies 3 Diamondbacks record: 9-8. At the plate: 2B Craig Counsell went 4 for 4 with two singles, a double and a triple against the Brewers. 3B Troy Glaus was 2 for 3 with a two-run double and a two-run home run, his second of the Cactus League season.

RF Luis Terrero went 3 for 5 and tied the game in the ninth with a solo home run, his second. IB Alan Zinter won it with a three-run blast in the 10th. Against the Rockies, IB Chad Tracy was 2 for 5 with a double, a triple and 3 RBIs. Koyie Hill went 2 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to six games. The Diamondbacks were 2 for 13 with men in scoring position at Hi Corbett.

On the mound: RHP Brandon Webb pitched three solid innings before getting into some trouble in the fourth against Milwaukee. His five strikeouts give him 14 this camp. LHP Michael Gosling, meanwhife, pitched four shutout innings (56 pitches) in his start against Colorado, allowing three hits with two strikeouts and a walk. RHP Juan Acevedo retired the side in the ninth for his first save. In the field: LF Luis Gonzalez had to make his fair share of throws, defensively, in playing consecutive games in the field for the first time, but manager Bob Melvin was encouraged.

Kelly Stinnett's throwing error in the eighth allowed the Brewers to tie the score at 9. Terrero threw out a runner at second in the ninth with a perfect throw. He said It "I'll tell you what, I love their defense up the middle. 1 I. working hard every day." He's been getting rave reviews from Melvin every time out, and it could affect the roles of other relievers in the pen, such as Mike Koplove and Jose Val-verde.

Lyon could pitch in a set-up role for closer Greg Aquino, and as a former starter earlier in his pro career in the Toronto Blue Jays' system, he could pitch long relief. Because he relies on four above-average pitches a sinking fastball, a slider, a curveball and a change-up he gives the Diamondbacks flexibility anywhere they put him in the pen. Melvin said it's crossed his mind to try Lyon in a closing role. "He's been magnificent," Melvin said. "He's a four-pitch guy, and for a late-inning guy where we have him envisioned, it's almost tough to establish four pitches.

Most of those guys are two-pitch guys. "But he'll throw fastball, slider, sinker, sinker, slider, then all of a sudden he needs a pitch and breaks his curveball out, and you haven't seen it yet. Same thing with his change-up. He's got a lot of weapons." If one pitch isn't working on a particular day, Lyon can skip it and go with the other three. He is a contact pitcher and wants teams to put the ball in play, especially when his sinker is on.

"You understand when you see him pitch and he's healthy why he was a key guy in the Curt Schilling deal," said Melvin, who will pitch Lyon again Saturday in Peoria when the Diamondbacks take on Seattle. Lyon hasn't paid any dividends on the trade yet at least not during a regular-season game but he appears to be on his way to getting a chance to prove it. By Bob McManaman The Arizona Republic TUCSON Sometimes when a pitcher can't reach his pitch count, it's a bad thing. He may be getting so roughed up that his manager has to show mercy by trudging out to the mound to give him the hook. In Brandon Lyon's case, it's the opposite.

The right-hander has been so efficient and dominant, having retired all 15 batters he's faced through five innings and four appearances, he never gets close to his pitch count. With seven strikeouts, no walks and a 0.00 ERA, he's been almost a little too good. His arm would have to fall off before he fails to land a spot in manager Bob Melvin's bullpen. Of course, his arm just about did fall off. Lyon had been dogged by an elbow problem the past two years.

It nixed his trade from Boston to Pittsburgh in 2003. After being dealt to Arizona in the Curt Schilling deal, it eventually wiped out his 2004 season after ulnar nerve transposition surgery. In another week, it will have been a full year since the surgery and Lyon, 10-14 with a 4.99 career ERA, will have come full circle. He's gone from openly worrying about his future in baseball to planning it out to his liking. "Anytime you have surgery, that's the first thing that goes through your mind.

'Is my arm ever going to be the Lyon said. But everything is going really well right now. I'm going out there and throwing free and easy every day. are great, but you know what? It's not about results right now. It's about keeping my arm healthy and D-BACKS NOTES lX 1A.

Deirdre HamillThe Arizona Republic Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Lyon, who has had arm problems over the past two years, has retired all 15 batters he's faced so far this year. Royce Clayton and Craig Counsell? I love those two guys. They are wonderful players." Brewers manager Ned Yost on Arizona's new starting shortstop and second baseman. Today: Diamondbacks vs. Rockies at Hi Corbett Field, 1:05 p.m.

The Diamondbacks will start LHP Shawn Estes vs. LHP Jeff Francis. Bob McManaman Aquino finally cleared for 2nd spring outing rcentralcom 4 It tl4 "A Go to diamondbacks.azcentral.com at 1:05 p.m. today to follow the Diamondbacks-Rockies game live. i 1 J.

it Webb, who had five strikeouts and only one walk. "I wasn't getting ahead of guys like I wanted to, but I was able to come back and get ground balls or strikeouts in the first three innings." Webb said he grew a little tired in the fourth after he neared his pitch count (70), and that's when Milwaukee did most of its damage against him, striking for the four runs off six hits in the inning. Short hops Luis Gonzalez will be among the handful of veterans Melvin plans to bring with him to Yuma for the club's split-squad game Sunday against the Padres. Others scheduled to play in that game include infielders Alex Cfntron and Chad Tracy and catcher Kelly Stinnett. Villarreal will be the starting pitcher.

Scott Hairston, who has been bothered by back spasms, hit a double in a pinch-hitting role Thursday. specialist Randy Choate, the lone southpaw in the mix, are set in that regard. The rest of the pen, including Mike Koplove, Jose Valverde and Brandon Lyon, along with Brian Bru-ney, are all late-inning, set-up men and so far, there is no clear-cut pecking order. "Any one of them could be a set-up guy," Melvin said, "but that gives us the luxury to take turns a little bit, too, and in an ideal world, get some guys some rest." Others in contention for spots are Lance Cormier and-Oscar Villarreal, should he lose out in a bid for the fifth starter's job. Webb satisfied Right-hander Brandon Webb allowed four runs on eight hits through four innings Thursday against the Brewers, but said it might have been the best he's felt all spring.

"The ball felt real good coming out, mechanically," said frmfr By Bob McManaman The Arizona Republic TUCSON He's gotten his rest. The tightness in the flexor mass area of his elbow has been relaxed. Now, after two weeks of holding him back, the Diamondbacks are ready to turn Greg Aquino loose. Arizona's closer has been cleared by the medical staff to pitch in a game for the first time since the Diamondbacks' Cactus League opener, and manager Bob Melvin has decided Aquino will pitch at least one inning Saturday against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria. "We don't foresee and problems and that's why we kept him out as long as we did," Melvin said.

"We really wanted to take care of this thing and make sure he's healthy because he's going to be a big part of things." Aquino had 16 saves last season the most among National League rookies and he held COX SCORES Diamondbacks (ss) 5 Rockies (ss) 3 John MillerAssociated Press Troy Glaus (right) is congratulated by third-base coach Brett Butler after hitting a two-run homer Thursday in Tucson. Colorado (ss) ab Arizona (ss) Barmes ss 4 Gonrtz 2rlb bl 2 2 0 2 2 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 Helton lb Carvajal Matos Wilson cf Piedra if Mohrrf Latham rf Baker 3b Greene Taylor Gaillard 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 310 Role call Melvin has a good idea how his bullpen is going to shake out when the team breaks camp in two weeks. He and his staff still have to sort out which pitcher is going to have what role. Only Aquino and left-handed opponents to a .194 batting average. Melvin said the pitcher still has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day and may try to get him to pitch two innings in a game at least twice before the end of spring training.

Williams cf Kata 2b Tracy lb Acevedo Green rf Quentm rf Cintron 3b Peterson Ansman ph-c Hill Frazier If Santos ss McCracken If Jimenez Cota lb Gosling Antone 3b Totals Norton ph-lb 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 Freeman Iftf Wright Olson ph 2b Fuentes Totals 020 100 5 020 100 3 101 000 Arizona (ss) Colorado (ss) GitAPEFRUiT LEAGUE BASEBALL NOTES Barmes, DP Colorado 1. LOB Anzona 9, Colorado 9. 2B Tracy. Hill. Gonzalez, Helton, Matos.

Greene. 3(3 Tracy. MR Olson. SB Williams. Mohr.

CS Barmes. Kata. Standings ER BB SO Dodgers Werth aiming for opener IP 4 2 2 1 5 1 1 1 1 Arizona (ss) Gosling 1-1 Peteison Jimenez Acevedo S. 1 Colorado (ss) Wright L. 1-2 Carvaial Taylor Gaillard Fuentes Pet .615 .615 .615 .615 .583 .571 .500 .500 .500 .500 .461 .461 .461 .461 .429 .417 .400 .333 5 5 5 5 5 6 7 6 7 6 7 7 7 7 8 7 9 10 St.

Louis Atlanta New York (N) Tampa Bay Toronto Cleveland Philadelphia Detroit Washington LA Dodgers Baltimore New York A Boston Pittsburgh Minnesota Houston Cincinnati Florida HBP Barmes (by Jimenez). WP Taylor. 2:22. A 2,687. KjISr ill TV Diamondbacks (ss) 13 Brewers 10 (10) Milwaukee Arizona bl ab 4 0 1 2 1 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 ab 4 2 4 10 0 3 0 0 2 12 4 2 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 3 12 0 0 0 3 2 1 3 0 1 B.Clark cf Krynzel cf Weeks 2b Lehr Bennet Helms ph Santana Beltran Durnngton ph Davis Overbay lb Fielder lb Branyan 3b Cinllo 3b Hart rf Cruz rf Hardy ss Hall ss Magruder If Mannon If Moeller Borders Capellan Phelps Kieschnick 1 Counsell 2b 1 Uggla2b 0 Clayton ss 0 De Renne ss 0 Gonzalez If 1 DeVoreprlf 0 Bruney 0 Schultzp 0 Jackson ph 0 Glaus 3b 0 Cormier 0 Zinter ph-lb 2 J.Cruz cf 0 Abrcrmbie pr-cf 1 T.Clark lb 0 Nance 0 Medders 0 Choate 1 Kroeger If 0 Torrero rf 1 Snyder 0 Stinnett 1 Wehbp 0 Hairston ph 0 Barden 3b 0 9 Totals 3 2 2 1 0 1 4 1 3 10 0 4 2 2 10 0 3 1 0 10 1 3 0 2 2 0 0 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 10 0 1 1 0 451017 10 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 5 2 3 3 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 111 3 11 "If it was a regular-season game, he could start easily," manager Bobby Cox said.

Mets The team released veteran utility man Joe McEwing. McEwing, 32, was given the option of staying and working out with the team or being released outright, and he opted to be released. "It's a part of the game," he said. "I've just got to out there and start a new chapter of my life. I had five great years in New York, and I'm very thankful for that." Blue Jays The team released veteran closer Billy Koch.

Koch, the Blue Jays' first-round selection and fourth pick overall in the 1996 amateur draft, signed a one-year, $900,000 deal to return to Toronto on Jan. 10. However, he struggled this spring and was 0-0 with a 15.00 ERA in three appearances. Red Sox Former pitcher Dick Radatz, a feared reliever in the 1960s, died Wednesday when he fell down a flight of stairs in his Easton, home, police said. He was 67.

Radatz, a 6-foot-5 right-hander nicknamed "The Monster," pitched seven seasons in the majors for Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, the Chicago Cubs and Montreal. He went 52-43 with 122 saves and a 3.13 ERA. Wire services The magnetic resonance imaging exam and CT scan performed on Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Jayson Werth's broken left wrist showed improvement, and he is hoping to be ready for the April 5 opener at San Francisco. "It's getting better. I think I'm a couple of days away" from getting back to full workouts, Werth said Thursday.

"I think I only need a couple of days swinging the bat to get ready." Werth fractured the radius bone in his wrist when he was hit by a fastball from Florida's A.J. Burnett in the Dodgers' first exhibition game. If Werth isn't ready to go on Opening Day, Ricky Ledee likely will replace him in the lineup. More Dodgers Manager Jim Tracy named Derek Lowe the club's Opening Day starter and said Jeff Weaver will start the Dodgers' home opener a week later. Lowe, whom the Dodgers signed to a four-year, $36 million free-agent contract in January after he helped the Boston Red Sox break their 85-year world championship drought last fall, will get the ball April 5 at San Francisco.

Weaver will pitch the third and final game of that series April 7 to line himself up to face the Giants again April 12 at Dodger NOTE: Split-squad games count in the standings; games against non-major league teams do not. THURSDAY'S RESULTS Tampa Bay 7. Philadelphia 3 Florida vs. Boston at Fort Myers, ram N.Y. Mets vs.

Washington at Viera. ram Cleveland vs. Toronto at Dunedin, rain Baltimore vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, rain Atlanta vs.

Pittsburgh at Bradenton. ram Houston vs. L.A. Dodgers at veto Beach, rain Cincinnati vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, rain Detroit vs.

N.Y Yankees at Tampa, rain TODAY'S GAMES Cleveland vs. Atlanta at Kissimmee.Fla.. 11:05 a.m. St. Louis vs.

Florida at Jupiter, 11:05 a.m. Minnesota vs. Baltimore at Fort Lauderdale. Flail :05 a.m. Detroit vs.

Houston at Kissimmee. 5:05 m. Toronto vs. Tampa Bay at St. Petersburg.

5:05 p.m. Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, 5.05 p.m. Washington vs. NY Mets at Port St.

Lucie, 5:10 p.m. Cincinnati vs. NY Yankees at Tampa, 5:15 p.m. SATURDAY'S GAMES Baltimore vs Boston at Fort Myers, 11:05 a.m. Toronto vs.

Houston at Kissimmee. 11 05 a m. Atlanta (ssl vs. Detroit at Lakeland. 11:05 a.m.

Minnesota vs. Cincinnati at Sarasota. 11:05 a.m. L.A. Dodgers vs.

St. Louis at Jupiter. 11:05 a m. Cleveland ss) vs. Washington at Viera.

11:05 a.m. Philadelphia (ss) vs. Atlanta (ssl at Kissimmee, 1105 a.m. Philadelphia (ss) vs. Tampa Bay at St.

Petersburg, 11 05 a m. New York YBnkees iss) vs. Cleveland (ssl at Winter Haven. 11 05 a m. Florida vs.

N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie. 11:10 a.m. Pittsburgh vs.

New York Yankees (ss) at Tampa, 11:15 a.m. Devil Rays 7, Phillies 3 AT CLEARWATER FLA. Eduardo Pew had a parr ol homers and drove in three runs to the Devi! ftavs Randy Wolte allowed six runs on eight hits Hi tou' mnings lor his second toss ot the spnng Enckson 2b Totals 130 010 17 2 101 313 19 2 000 212 420 102 Milwaukee Arizona (ss) Richard DrewAssociated Press Dodgers left fielder Jayson Werth suffered a broken left wrist when hit by a pitch from the Marlins' AJ. Burnett on March 2. Weeks.

Hardy. Zinter. Stinnett. DP Arizona 2. LOB Milwaukee 7.

Arizona 9. 2B Overbay. Hart Borders, Glaus, Counsell, Terrero. Hairston. DpRenne.

3B K'vpel. Counsell HR Branyan. Glaus. Terrero. Zinter SB Krynzel.

Counsell. IP ER BB SO Milwaukee Capeiian Pneips Kieschnick Lehr Bennett Santana Beltran Davis L. 01 Arizona (sa) Webo Cormier Nance Medders Choate Bruney Schultz W. 10 2 1 1 1 1 0 5 2 2 0 0 2 1 much better than I did my first outing. The ball was coming out real good, maybe too good.

I had more whip and more juice on my pitches." Braves Pitcher Tim Hudson was scratched from Thursday's scheduled start against Pittsburgh because of a stiff back. But the team said the ailment was a minor one and that he was being kept off the field only as a precaution. Cardinals Despite struggling in his second spring outing after off-season shoulder surgery, righthander Matt Morris was pleased with his performance. Morris gave up six hits and three runs in 2 innings against Baltimore on Thursday before the game was called in the middle of the third inning with St. Louis trailing 3-1.

"Actually I felt real good out there," Morris said. "I felt 1 1 1 1 1 0 4 2 1 OV, 0 1 1 030 001 7 200 001 3 Tampa Bay 300 Philadelphia OOO Vvaiv-htpr Nipmannl5t Rae7). Harper 181, Seavl9l and Hall. laFwest tol(. linaxv.51.

Adams (7). Full! 9i and Utlev. Coste 181 W-Waefiter. 10 Wolf. 02 HRs Tampa Bay.

Perez (2j. Philadelphia, Thome 4I. Utley (2. Hinch. HBP ib Bennett).

WP Capellan, Webb. 3 20 A 4.992..