D-Backs notebook: Jackson comes out swinging in 2nd half

SAN FRANCISCO - Conor Jackson has been a second-half player since he reached the majors, but he has never come back after the All-Star break quite like this.

Unit, D-Backs' bats stay hot in sweep of Giants

Jackson has seven multiple-hit games in the D-Backs' nine games since the Los Angeles series commenced on July 18. He is 19-for-37 (.514) with four homers, two doubles and a triple in that span.

"I don't want to talk about it," manager Bob Melvin said with a laugh. "He's squaring it up a lot, a couple of times a game. He's not swinging at bad pitches."

Jackson has 13 hits in his last 20 at-bats. Want to talk about it? "I really don't, to tell you the truth," Jackson said, smiling. "I'm feeling good. I'm seeing the ball good. I'm a little more patient."

Jackson has 12 home runs, three short of his career high, and with 65 RBIs already has surpassed last year's total. His career high is 79, set in 2006. He hit .266 before the All-Star break and .308 after it last season, and for his career has hit .269 before the break and .291 after it.

HAREN, TEAM STILL TALKING

While the trade deadline has kept the front office occupied, the D-Backs have remained in conversations with Dan Haren about a long-term contract extension.

"Talks have progressed," said Haren, who was first approached a few weeks before the D-Backs played Oakland in mid-June. "It's been pretty much a continuous dialogue for a couple of months now. I'm pretty optimistic something will happen, but it's so hard doing stuff during this time. It's obviously a busy time for the team right now."

Haren (10-5) took over the NL ERA lead at 2.56 in a 10-2 win over the Giants on Friday, his 10th consecutive quality start. He is to earn $5.5 million in 2009 with the D-Backs holding a $6.75 million option for 2010.

The D-Backs also have had preliminary talks with Brandon Webb on an extension, but those were tabled a month ago.

A SEPARATION TRIP

With a three-game sweep of the Giants, next up for the D-Backs is three games in San Diego, followed by four in Los Angeles, their last 10-game trip of the year.

"This is going to separate the men from the boys," Jackson said.

EEPHUS PITCH

Randy Johnson eased up on a 1-1 pitch in the first inning to the Giants' Fred Lewis after hearing a foghorn blow in McCovey Cove past the right-field fence. The ball floated up at maybe 55 mph and seemed to surprise Lewis, who let it go for a called strike.

"All of a sudden, a big old foghorn sounds ... it catches you off-guard a little bit," Johnson said. "I've always wanted to throw one of those pitches. Maybe I should have used it more against him."

Lewis was the first left-handed hitter to have four hits off Johnson in a game in his career.

SHORT HOP

Juan Cruz (left oblique) will pitch for Triple-A Tucson on Tuesday, Melvin said, and if all goes well return to the D-Backs on Thursday in Los Angeles.

When: 7:05 p.m.

Where: Petco Park, San Diego

Radio/TV: KTAR (620 AM)/Fox Sports Net Arizona

Records: Diamondbacks 53-51, San Diego 41-65.

Line: San Diego 105-115

Probable starters: Arizona's Micah Owings (6-8, 5.40 ERA) will make his first start since July 9 after helping an overworked bullpen the week after the break. Since winning his first four starts of the season, he is 2-8 with a 6.45 ERA. He is 0-1 against the Padres. San Diego's Greg Maddux (3-8, 4.18) has been stuck on 350 career victories since beating Colorado on May 10. He is 0-5 in his last 14 starts, the longest winless streak of his career. Maddux is 2-11 with a 5.29 ERA in 19 career starts against the D-Backs.