D-Backs notebook: Lyon putting the past behind him

The scrutiny came quickly for Brandon Lyon. He was named the Diamondbacks closer after the offseason trade of Jose Valverde, but cries for Tony Pena came loudly after Lyon blew two saves in his first three chances.

D-Backs ace settles down after a rough start

But Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin vowed to stick with Lyon, and the right-hander has rewarded that faith by throwing six scoreless innings and getting four saves since giving up a game-tying homer to Matt Holliday in Colorado on April 6.

He finished Tuesday night by setting down three in a row after giving up a leadoff single to Bengie Molina to start the ninth.

Lyon is 1-0 on the year with a 4.00 ERA and five saves in seven chances. Not great numbers, but the ERA has been steadily declining since it rocketed to 27.00 on the third day of the season.

“I don’t look at my numbers,” Lyon said. “I haven’t the last three years. I don’t really think about it too much. The last few years, I’ve just gone out there knowing where I stand with myself. I’m my own biggest critic. I know what I need to do to get myself ready to help this team win.”

READY TO GO

Catcher Miguel Montero (fractured finger) will be activated for today’s game against the Dodgers and Alex Romero will be optioned to Triple-A.

Montero split time with Chris Snyder behind the plate last year and is a powerful left-handed bat if needed for pinch-hitting duties.

Robby Hammock will become the team’s third catcher, but has the ability to play other positions as well.

STILL HOT

With his fourth inning walk, Justin Upton has now reached base in 18 straight games, every one since the season opener.

The 20-year-old is hitting .368 on the season with five home runs and 13 RBIs.

“He’s off to an unbelievable start,” Melvin said. “I don’t know that he hits .370 or .380 over the course of the season, but I know confidence-wise, knowing that he’s getting it done early on, getting it done in our division against good pitching is something to fall back on.”

DIRTY WORK

Although Snyder has had his struggles offensively, Melvin and the Arizona pitching staff laud the job he does behind the plate, a place where there isn’t nearly as much recognition.

“He is a big part of what’s going on back there,” Melvin said. “He would much rather go 0-for-4 and strike out four times and have his pitcher have a good game then go 4-for-4 and us win 10-8. The defensive end of it, the pitching end of it is most important (to him).”

SHORT HOPS

Chad Tracy (knee) will begin playing in extended spring training on Friday. ... The Diamondacks’ Friday contest against the Padres will air on FSN Arizona Plus because Game 3 of the Suns first-round series against the Spurs will be on FSN Arizona. The channel for the D-Backs game has yet to be determined. The game begins at 7 p.m., and there will be no pre- or post-game show. ... Orlando Hudson jammed his wrist sliding into third base on a third-inning triple, but stayed in the game.