After 1,071 career games at first base, it is not as if Tony Clark has forgotten where the bag is. But manager Bob Melvin wanted to get Clark into the lineup Sunday, part of the plan to keep him busy the rest of the season.

"He needs to get consistent at-bats, because he's going to play more in the field than he did in San Diego," Melvin said.

Dodgers deliver 9th-inning dagger to D-Backs

"He needs to get his reps out there."

Clark had a run-scoring ground-out in the D-Backs' 6-5 loss to Los Angeles, starting against Derek Lowe after hitting three home runs against Lowe in his career.

After pinch-hitting on Friday, he made his first defensive appearance for the D-Backs in the ninth inning of Saturday's 3-2 victory and already has played more games in the field with the D-Backs than he did in 70 games with San Diego.

His only start at first base with the Padres was in a 22-inning game April 17.

"Just trying to walk after 22 innings was not fun," Clark said with a smile.

A switch-hitter, Clark is liable to get most of his at-bats hitting right-handed on the days Tracy is given a day off.

"It's not about starts. It's about winning ball games," Clark said. "If I can help win a game whether starting or off the bench, that's what I want to do. It was nice to be back out there."

INSIDE THE PARK

Stephen Drew's first career four-hit game almost included an inside-the-park home run, but he was thrown out in the fourth inning.

Drew's ball landed past center fielder Andruw Jones and caromed away from Jones, who seemed to get a late break on the recovery.

Jones hit cutoff man Nomar Garciaparra with a good throw, however, and Garciaparra's one-hop throw to the plate just beat Drew, who added three singles.

"They have to make two perfect throws," said manager Bob Melvin, who agreed with third-base coach Chip Hale's decision.

"I just went back and looked at the video," Drew said. "If it wasn't a one-hopper, then I beat it out, no question."

SHORT HOPS

Right-hander Juan Cruz threw 32 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday morning and is likely to throw one more bullpen session before going out on a short rehabilitation assignment, Melvin said. Cruz is eligible to return from the disabled list today. ...

An MRI on left-hander Doug Slaten's right knee showed no abnormalities, Melvin said. Slaten is to stay off the knee for three to five days before beginning a rehab program and should be able to rejoin the team when eligible Aug. 3 in Los Angeles. ...

Justin Upton took "dry" swings Sunday - he previously took swings while in the D-Backs' water resistance tank to lessen the stress on his strained left oblique - and remains at least a week to 10 days from returning.