D-Backs notebook: Gonzalez’s performance worthy of rotation spot

Enrique Gonzalez made a move toward claiming one of two available Diamondbacks rotation spots with four shutout innings in an 8-5 Cactus League victory over Oakland Friday night.

Gonzalez struck out three and did not walk a batter while giving up only a generously scored infield single against an Athletics “A” lineup that included every projected opening day starter except shortstop Bobby Crosby.

“So many guys keep fighting” for the rotation spots, “you need that competition,” Gonzalez said.

“That team has a very good lineup. I tried to keep the ball down and use both sides of the plate.”

Mike Piazza was credited with an infield single when D-Backs shortstop Stephen Drew made a diving stop on a hard ground ball to his left and got up in plenty of time but threw the ball high to first base.

Manager Bob Melvin has said he will pay special attention to the way his starters pitch the second time through the lineup.

Gonzalez finished his outing by getting Piazza on a called third strike.

Dana Eveland, a candidate for both the rotation and the bullpen, gave up four walks and a double in 1 2/3 innings after replacing Gonzalez to start the fifth inning.

Jorge Julio relieved Eveland with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth and threw three straight balls before striking out Nick Swisher on a called third strike.

Julio gave up two runs on three hits in the seventh.

MORE JORGE

Asked if he wants to be a closer, Julio has a one-word answer: “Yeah.”

Yet Julio, a part-time closer for the D-Backs last season but behind Jose Valverde this spring, said he is not fazed by reports that teams in need of a closer – Florida, San Francisco, Cincinnati – have scouted him this spring.

“I don’t care. I play baseball. I want to play baseball. It is just a rumor,” Julio said.

The D-Backs have scouted Florida and could have an interest in Marlins’ 22-year-old right-hander Yusmeiro Petit, obtained by the Marlins from the Mets two years ago. Petit struggled in the Marlins’ bullpen last season, his first in the majors, but has a strong minor league track record.

The D-Backs will not pay any of Julio’s $3.6 million salary this season if traded, making Cincinnati an unlikely trading partner.

PITCHING PAIRING

Randy Johnson (back) is expected to throw his second batting practice session of the spring either Sunday or Monday, Melvin said. Brandon Webb (neck) likely will return to the rotation on Thursday against San Francisco in Scottsdale. Both are scheduled to play catch today.

Webb still is expected to start opening day in Colorado on April 2 “if we stay on this schedule,” Melvin said.

Johnson “will not open the season with us,” a D-Backs official said, confirming Johnson will start on the disabled list.

'Q’ RATING

Carlos Quentin hit his third home run of the spring, tying Scott Hairston for the team lead, before being removed in the fourth inning after suffering a twinge in his left shoulder on the final swing of his at-bat in the third, when he flew out to left. Quentin and Orlando Hudson are tied for the team lead with 10 RBIs.

SHORT HOP

Jeff DaVanon, asked if he will be able to start the season with the D-Backs, said: “Probably not. It’s all about getting at-bats,” a fact Melvin seemed to confirm. DaVanon, a switch-hitter, has not played in a spring game and has not hit left-handed in batting practice after offseason shoulder surgery. “That’s the main thing I’ll be doing on this team, so if I’m not full go …”

ON DECK

What: The Diamondbacks attempt to run their winning streak to five when they play Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. today at Surprise Stadium. The D-Backs, who lead the Cactus League in on-base percentage, have won seven of their last eight.

TV/Radio: None/KTAR-AM (620).

Pitchers: Diamondbacks: Dustin Nippert, Jose Valverde, Brandon Lyon, Juan Cruz. Kansas City: Gil Meche.

Records: D-Backs 11-5. Kansas City 8-9.

AT A GLANCE

D-Backs 8, A’s 5

Notable pitching: Enrique Gonzalez pitched to only one batter over the minimum in four shutout innings, giving up an infield single to Mike Piazza while striking out three. … Lefty Dana Eveland was wild, walking four (all right-handed hitters) of the 10 batters he faced. … Jorge Julio gave up two runs on three hits, including an RBI double by former ASU player Travis Buck. …

Notable hitting: Orlando Hudson had an RBI single as the second batter of the game and cleanup hitter Carlos Quentin had a three-run home run as the D-Backs sent nine to the plate in the first inning. … Hudson added an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run homer in the sixth, upping his batting average to .433. … Chad Tracy hit his second spring homer. … Dave Krynzel had an RBI single in his lone plate appearance.