Diaz Makes his Case

[RTBP]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP)—Matt Diaz is letting his bat do his bidding for a full-time role. The Atlanta Braves’ productive platoon player went 3-for-3 and had an RBI in a 12-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, raising his spring average to .458.


“Anyone wants to play as much as possible,” said Diaz, who had a double and scored three times. “I’d love to be in there every game and see want I could do. I’m not going to stress about it. But, of course, I’d be happy if I was in the lineup opening day against a right-hander.”


Playing mostly against left-handers last season, Diaz batted .338. He hit .327 in 2006. But he’s averaged only a little more than 300 at-bats a season.


“We can use him regularly,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said without committing to a full-time spot for Diaz just yet. “I really think that he hits right-handers better than left-handers. But we’ll have to see (how things work out).”



Scott Thorman, on the other hand, is struggling to hold his spot with the Braves as a backup first baseman. He came into the game batting just .125, but drove in four runs with a mammoth home run off Jason Isringhausen and sacrifice fly.


Making his second spring appearance, Isringhausen, the St. Louis closer, allowed three hits and a walk in one inning. He struck out two.
Tim Hudson allowed three hits and two unearned runs in four innings for the Braves. He has a 2.00 ERA in three starts.
“I felt real good,” Hudson said. “I’m really pleased with how my changeup and curveball have come along.”
Clay Mortensen, a supplemental first-round draft choice last year, started in place of Anthony Reyes, who was scratched because of the flu. The former Gonzaga University standout gave up three runs in the first inning on three hits and two walks before working a perfect second.


Notes
Braves ace John Smoltz pitched a simulated game for the third time on Sunday and will make his exhibition debut Saturday against Tampa Bay. He hopes to pitch five innings against the Rays. Smoltz threw 72 pitches Sunday. … Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro presented the Braves lineup card to the umpires prior to the game and will serve as an honorary coach through Wednesday. … Braves left-hander Chuck James, coming off a slight rotator tear, pitched batting practice for the third time Sunday and is schedule to start Thursday against Detroit. … The Cardinals sent left-hander Ron Flores, third baseman Brian Barden and outfielder Amaury Marti to minor league camp after Sunday’s game.