D-Backs notebook: Jackson coming through in the clutch

Conor Jackson feels comfortable with runners in scoring position, and it shows. Jackson, given a day off Thursday to rest a slightly sore right hamstring, was hitting .405 with runners in scoring position, fourth in the NL.

"Timely hitting is part of the game," Jackson said. "I feel well-prepared when I have guys on.

"I don't swing and miss that much. I hate striking out. I feel I can put the ball in play, and that helps me with two strikes. I'm not going to be cheating" to hit a certain pitch. "I'm not going to be guessing."

Jackson has 32 RBIs, tied for third in the NL, and his ratio of one RBI every 4.1 at-bats was second in the league.

"The most important stats are extra-base hits and RBIs," Jackson said.

"You keep reminding yourself you are having a good year if you look at extra-base hits and RBIs" instead of ratio-driven statistics that can fluctuate, such as batting average.

Jackson has 16 walks against 10 strikeouts this season, and his .421 on-base percentage was eighth in the NL. He is a .272 career hitter with runners in scoring position.

Jackson has been mildly bothered by right calf soreness for about a week, Arizona manager Bob Melvin said.

Also factoring into the day off was Jackson's 0-for-12 career numbers against Colorado starter Aaron Cook.

"I think a full day will help him. He'll be back (today)," Melvin said.

BYRNES GETS A BREAK

Eric Byrnes, in a 6-for-62 funk, was given Thursday off and may also rest today, Melvin said.

Jeff Salazar started against Colorado's Cook and could start again tonight against Detroit right-hander Jeremy Bonderman.

"A little separation ... let him process some things," Melvin said of Byrnes, adding "whether it is a game or two is yet to be determined. Two, tops."

Byrnes was the first to take batting practice Wednesday, with he and hitting coach Rick Schu also analyzing his swing on a machine stationed by the batting cage.

"It is not for lack of effort," Melvin said of Byrnes' dry spell. "Probably a little bit of over-grinding."

Byrnes' right hamstring continues to heal and is not near the issue it was two weeks ago, Melvin said, saying "maybe that's a silver lining."

SHORT HOPS

The D-Backs will stay in rotation after Monday's travel day to Florida, meaning Micah Owings, Brandon Webb and Dan Haren will start the three games against the Marlins. Although the D-Backs have not made it public, Doug Davis is expected to step into the rotation for the first game in Atlanta on Friday, with Randy Johnson and Owings to pitch the final two games. ...

Chad Tracy was 1-for-5 while playing first base in Triple-A Tucson's 5-2 victory at Tacoma on Thursday, getting his first two RBIs in his fifth game, on a third-inning single and a seventh-inning grounder. Because he missed four games while ill last weekend, Tracy is unlikely to join the D-Backs until their trip to Florida and Atlanta.

Today's game

When: 6:40 p.m.
Where: Chase Field
TV/Radio: FSN Arizona/KTAR (620 AM)
Line: Arizona 125-135
Records: Arizona 26-15; Detroit 16-25
Pitchers: Detroit’s Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.80 ERA) got hit hard in his last start, going only four innings against the Yankees, allowing six hits, four walks and five earned runs.
Arizona’s Dan Haren (4-0, 3.48) was 4-0 in interleague play with Oakland last season and is 7-2 in 12 interleague starts while holding opponents to a .219 batting average. He is 1-4 with a 5.12 ERA in six starts against the Tigers.