First pitch, August 31

Friday, August 31, 2007

TAKING THE FIFTH

Arizona is bringing right-hander Livan Hernandez back on three days of rest for a start tonight against the Rockies.

The move puts Hernandez in line to pitch the series finale against San Diego on Wednesday and puts the Diamondbacks in need of a fifth starter only three times the rest of the season.

Dana Eveland will assume the fifth starter spot Saturday, replacing Yusmeiro Petit, who, along with Byung-Hyun Kim, combined for an 11.95 ERA in the past six starts by Arizona's fifth starter. Eveland missed three months with a torn tendon in his left middle finger.

NUMBERS GAME

3Rockies players rank among the top eight in the National League in RBI - Matt Holliday (105), Garrett Atkins (91) and Brad Hawpe (88). Only three other teams have three players with 80 RBI - the Yankees (Alex Rodriguez, 124; Hideki Matsui, 91; Bobby Abreu, 88), Red Sox (Mike Lowell, 93; David Ortiz, 89; Manny Ramirez, 86) and Braves (Andruw Jones, 84; Jeff Francoeur, 83; Brian McCann, 82).

HE'S BACK

A 16-game tuneup at Triple-A Colorado Springs appears to have worked for catcher Chris Iannetta.

Having started two games and pinch hit in another four since his return, he has gone 5-for-10 with a home run, double and three RBI and increased his average to .199.

Iannetta said he benefited from working with Sky Sox hitting coach Carney Lansford.

"It was good to get a different perspective," Iannetta said. "It was nice to be in a situation where I knew I was going to play, no matter what."

Manager Clint Hurdle said the big difference he sees in Iannetta's offense is he "is more aggressive. . . . He's been a nice addition to have back, swinging the bat the way he is."