Augie Ojeda has provided a spark in the absence of second baseman Orlando Hudson, who made only one start in the last nine games because of a strained right hamstring.
Ojeda had 12 hits in 28 at-bats while making six starts at second base and one at shortstop over the last nine games, improving his batting average to .370 in 46 at-bats. His RBI-single Sunday was the D-backs' only hit with a runner in scoring position in a weekend sweep by the Cubs.
It is the second time Ojeda has stepped in with a solid contribution after an injury struck the team. Ojeda hit .333 last year -- .286 in seven playoff games as the principal starter at second base after Hudson was lost for the season the first week of September with a wrist injury.
"Augie is a great complement and a great fit for this team, and a guy you know is always going to be prepared, whether it is for one particular day, for 3-4-5 in a row, or whether it's the last two weeks of the regular season and the playoffs, like he did for us last season," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said.
"He's always playing hard and giving you a little extra oomph when you go out there. He understands the role of coming off the bench and how to prepare himself to be ready."
Ojeda has made six starts at second base and three at shortstop in the first six weeks, and admitted adjusting to a part-time role takes some effort.
"It's the toughest thing in baseball, I think," Ojeda said. "You can hit in the cages and work every day on your swing, but it's not the same as game (conditions), when a guy is throwing 94-95 (mph)."
CUBS 6, DIAMONDBACKS 4: The D-backs' bullpen, which entered the weekend with the best ERA in the National League, gave up four runs in the final two innings, the second game in a row the D-Backs lost a game they led after six innings. Edgar Gonzalez, pitching on three hours' notice after Randy Johnson was scratched because of weather conditions, gave up two runs in five innings and was in line for a victory. Conor Jackson had two RBIs, one on his career-high fourth triple.
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Interest in Texiera has dropped and no one needs a quality hitter 1st baseman more than Arizona. Peter Gammons on ESPN feels that Arizona could be the most likely candidate as the Braves get a decent 1st baseman in return. and a qulaity propsect in jarrop parker plus perhaps a 2nd prospect. Gammons feels that it would make the DBacks a str
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This 10 game trip for the Diamondbacks will be huge for the team. We get the Giants who are on somewhat of a tear and finish with the hated Dodgers. I hope we can some how come up with 6 wins, it will be tough though.
2--He would be a fan favorite in that he is loquacious, and is in a town of talkers of which he has little peer. He could have his own show like he does here only call it, "Senator Byrnes..."
3--His hustle would excite Washington fans
4--He wouldn't take a back seat in the skill department as yet since their tea
