Melvin Shakes Up Lineup for Opening Day

Monday April 6th, the Diamondbacks will be facing the Colorado Rockies for opening day for the 2009 baseball season. In a last minute move, Bob Melvin injected his starting day line up with lefties. The decision comes as a reaction to the assignment of Colorado’s Aaron Cook to get the nod to start the game for the Rockies. Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds will sit out on opening day in the strategic, relatively, last minute move.

Taking those spots for the D-backs will be Tony Clark and Eric Byrnes. The infield will be shuffled just a tad to move Chad Tracy to third to allow switch-hitting Tony Clark to play first base. Manager Melvin reinforced that we was not trying to send any type of message to any of his players, namely Upton who had a slow spring. Bob Melvin’s strategy comes as an effort to play the lineup that makes the best sense for the given situation.

Chi Sox Pitching Baffles D-backs

In their final exhibition game before their home opener, the Diamondbacks are shut out by the Chicago White Sox by a score of 2 to 0. Chicago pitching was solid as Jose Contreras pitched for four innings only allowing one hit and striking out three. White Sox reliever Bartolo Colon struck out six as he pitched the final five innings for the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox would score in the third and the fifth innings with one run in each inning, giving them two total runs for the game. The Chi Sox at the plate managed a total of eight hits with a couple of doubles. While the D-backs were unable to capitalize, the team had four hits of their own, leaving five on base.

The Diamondbacks would exhibit excellent fielding as Chicago Catcher Corky Miller was picked off at first base by Hector Ambriz. Chicago’s Brian Anderson was caught stealing by Miguel Montero in the top of the fourth. In addition, a double play was turned by the D-backs in the seventh inning.

The Diamondbacks will have a short practice tomorrow as they prepare for their home opener against the Colorado Rockies. Brandon Webb will be taking the mound for the D-backs for the first game of the regular season.