video thumbnail

ARI@CIN: Collmenter strong in three innings of relief

Josh Collmenter's role with the D-backs has varied this season, switching between the rotation and the bullpen since early May.

But after pitching three shutout innings in relief on Tuesday against the Reds, the 26-year-old right-hander is getting another chance as a starter -- the role he prefers -- on Sunday against the Astros.

"Bouncing back and forth, I'm just happy they gave me another shot," Collmenter said. "I've tried to prepare myself for this. It's been rewarding for myself."

Collmenter started four games for Arizona in April, but after accumulating an 0-2 record and a 9.82 ERA in those contests, he made his next nine appearances out of the bullpen.

Sunday will mark Collmenter's fourth start -- mostly as a fill-in -- since being taken out of the rotation at the end of April. His numbers have improved, as he hasn't allowed more than one run in any of last three starts, and his ERA is down to 3.90.

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said that Collmenter has been working hard and that the improvement is noticeable.

"I know he looked at a lot of film," Gibson said. "His time in the bullpen helped a lot."

Astros manager Brad Mills will counter on Sunday with Jordan Lyles, who has had his own share of ups and downs this season.

Lyles is just 2-6, with a 5.29 ERA. In those six losses combined, he gave up 27 runs. But he was solid in the wins, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings on June 3, and just one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings on June 26.

His most recent start was Tuesday's 8-2 loss to the Padres, in which 11 hits led to five runs in six innings of work.

Although frustrated, Lyles said it is important for him to move on, starting with the series finale against the D-backs.

"[You] just have to take each outing like it's a new one and put everything behind you and stay a little bit more consistent," Lyles said.

Astros: Mills proud of team during time of change
Not much has gone right this season for the Astros, who have lost five in a row and enter Sunday with the worst record in baseball (34-61).

This weekend hasn't made it any easier, with J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon, David Carpenter and Brett Myers traded. The Astros also lost Carlos Lee via trade earlier this month. Still, Mills is proud of the way his players have handled the adversity, even as they have lost 18 of their last 20 games.

"The guys have done a real good job of rolling with the punches," Mills said. "The guys are getting a little bit used to it -- the first year with Lance [Berkman] and Roy [Oswalt], and last year with Hunter [Pence] and Michael [Bourn] -- so it's been a lot that's gone on near the Trade Deadline. They understand it. They know what's going on, and I think they are dealing with it very well."

D-backs: Saito reinstated, makes first appearance
On Saturday, the same day he was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list, 42-year-old reliever Takashi Saito became the first player of Japanese descent to pitch for the team. He allowed an unearned run in one inning.

It was the first appearance of the season for the right-hander, who had been out with calf and shoulder injuries.

"He's had some setbacks, but he's confident and feels ready to go," Gibson said. "We met yesterday, and I tried to get a feeling of how he wanted to proceed. He told me he was 100 percent healthy. His calf is good, his shoulder is good, no sickness, he's ready to dedicate himself to this team."

Saito had been pitching in Arizona's Minor League system, and Gibson said he'd had enough rehab work to join the D-backs, who are expected to use the veteran in the sixth or seventh innings of games.

But because of Saito's experience -- 2.17 ERA and 389 strikeouts in 323 relief appearances -- Gibson won't be afraid to play him in later innings.

"Every year he's pitched, he's had good results," he said. "We're counting [on him to be] ready to pitch and navigate through a lineup. We saw Saito as somebody who has a ton of experience and knows how to pitch in leverage situations. That's an advantage for us."

• Wade Miley earned his 11th win of the season on Saturday, setting the D-backs' record for rookie pitchers.

Worth noting
• The D-backs have won five in a row at home, dating back to before the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Astros have lost five straight on the road and are 10-38 away from home.

• After Sunday, the Astros and D-backs will meet for one more series, in mid-August.

MLB.com Comments