D-Backs notebook: Bench, bullpen step up on homestand

It may be time to dust off those “anybody, any time” T-shirts.

The Diamondbacks received integral contributions from the bench and the bullpen in their three victories on their latest homestand, harkening back to their full-roster approach in 2007.

“That was something that was very important for us last year,” manager Bob Melvin said.

• Jeff Salazar had a pinch-hit single to start a go-ahead, three-run, fifth-inning rally to give the D-Backs a 4-3 lead in a 9-3 victory over Los Angeles last Friday.

• Justin Upton had a pinch-hit double to start a four-run rally in the eighth in that same game, and Tony Clark walked and scored in the ninth.

• Jailen Peguero, in relief of Randy Johnson, got St. Louis’ Troy Glaus to foul out with the bases loaded in the fourth inning Monday, keeping the D-Backs’ deficit at a manageable 5-2 in a game they came back to win, 8-6.

• Salazar singled and scored the go-ahead run in a two-run seventh inning Monday as the D-Backs broke a tie at 6.

• Augie Ojeda doubled and Miguel Montero walked to open a two-run seventh Wednesday, and both scored as the D-Backs closed a deficit to 3-2 before winning the game in the ninth.

“Everybody feels they are involved, and it makes for more of a team-type atmosphere,” Melvin said. “It’s something we haven’t had a lot of. It’s nice to see it again.”

Ojeda’s double Wednesday was his eighth pinch hit of the season, tying Salazar for the team lead.

Ojeda is hitting .363 and has a team-high five RBIs as a pinch hitter this season. Salazar has four RBIs.

“You are asked to do one thing and one particular time, to come through for the guys. When you do that, it’s pretty exciting,” Salazar said.

The D-Backs’ bullpen gave up five runs in 25 1/3 innings on the homestand, a 1.78 ERA, with two victories — both by Chad Qualls — and a save by Brandon Lyon. Qualls has been scored upon once in his last 14 outings.

ECKSTEIN STEPS UP

David Eckstein has hit safely in all three games with the D-Backs, extending his hitting streak to six games.

He hit safely in his last three games with Toronto, going 5-for-12. He is 4-for-11 with three RBIs for the D-Backs, but it is not just the numbers that make Melvin a believer.

“He has a great understanding of what needs to be done,” Melvin said, “whether it is taking a couple of pitches, or hitting the ball the other way, or steering the ball a certain way. Guys like that don’t put up the production numbers like the middle-of-the-order guys. A lot of times, they are setting up the middle-of-the-order guys. Those numbers don’t show up.”

SHORT HOPS

Class A South Bend beat West Michigan 5-3 in the first game of a best-of-three Midwest League playoff series Wednesday behind the D-Backs’ most recent No. 1 draft picks. Right-hander Jarrod Parker, the D-Backs’ first pick in 2007, got the victory while giving up two earned runs in six innings, striking out five. It was his 13th victory of the season. Left-hander Daniel Schlereth, their 2008 No. 1 pick, pitched two hitless innings while striking out three for a “hold.” The second game of the series will be played tonight after rain postponed the game Thursday.

When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
TV/radio: FSN Arizona/KTAR (620 AM)
Records: Diamondbacks 71-68, Los Angeles 70-70
Line: Los Angeles 115-125
Probable starters: Arizona’s Dan Haren (14-7, 3.24 ERA) has won six of his last eight decisions but has given up 24 earned runs in his last 38 1/3 innings, and gave up five in six innings to the Dodgers Saturday. He is 2-2 with a 4.18 ERA against the Dodgers this season.
Los Angles’ Derek Lowe (11-11, 3.69) shut out the D-Backs over six innings Sunday, giving up only four singles, for his first career victory at Chase Field. He is 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA in four starts against the D-Backs this season, 5-7 in his career.
Rest of the series: Saturday, 7:10 p.m. – Brandon Webb (19-6, 3.19) vs. Chad Billingsley (13-10, 3.13). Sunday, 1:10 p.m. – Randy Johnson (10-9, 4.21) vs. Clayton Kershaw (2-5, 4.56).
Los Angeles scouting report: The Dodgers have won five straight, starting by taking the final two games of a series at Chase Field last weekend. … They have won 12 of their last 15 games at home and have 41 home runs in their last 32 games. … 1B James Loney (.304, 11 HRs, 76 RBIs) had a 13-game hitting streak broken Wednesday but is hitting .421 in his last 14 games. … OF Manny Ramirez (.407, 10, 29) has four hits in three of his last four games against the D-Backs and is hitting .520 with four homers and seven RBIs in nine games against them this season. … OF Andre Ethier (.284, 19, 60) has eight homers in his last 19 games. … 2B Jeff Kent (.275, 11, 57) is still two weeks from returning after knee surgery. Blake DeWitt is playing in his place.