--1B Conor Jackson was named the NL Player of the Week after hitting .480 with an NL-high 10 RBIs for the week ending Sunday.
"It is more of a mental focus and a mental preparation than anything," Jackson said of his hot start, in which he is hitting .368 with a major league-high three triples. He had four multiple-hit games last week, and had four RBIs in one game and three RBIs in two others. His OPS for the week was 1.599. --Jackson is hitting .514 (11-for-21) against left-handed pitchers, and OF Justin Upton is hitting .423 (11-for-21) against lefties, part of the reason the D-Backs were 6-2 in their first eight games against opponents' left-handed starters. As a team, the D-Backs are hitting an even .300 with an .883 OPS against lefties.
--RHP Brandon Webb (4-0, 1.86) is to face Barry Zito (0-4, 4.50) for the second time in six days when the D-Backs play host to San Francisco on Tuesday. Webb is 10-5 in his career against the Giants, tied for his most victories against any opponent. He is 10-7 against Colorado after beating them twice this season. Webb is attempting to become the majors' first five-game winner.
--RHP Micah Owings tied Brandon Webb for the NL lead with four victories in a 4-2 victory over San Francisco on Monday, his fourth quality start is as many games this season. Owings also had two singles a day after he struck out in his first pinch-hit appearance of the season.
He was the 2007 NL Silver Slugger winner, hitting .333, but manager Bob Melvin admitted to some apprehension using a starting pitcher to pinch hit. "You always have a little bit of trepidation," Melvin said. "Is he going to get hurt? Is he going to pull a hamstring going down the line? Is he going to get hit? You know what? It's the same thing today when he's pitching. When you have a guy like that and you feel like you have a spot for (a pinch hit), you have to go ahead and use it."
--1B/3B Chad Tracy (knee) is to report to extended spring training in Tucson when the Diamondbacks begin their road trip to Los Angeles and San Diego on Wednesday, the first step in his return to the field after September microfracture surgery on his right knee. After playing games in extended spring training, Tracy will report to Class AAA Tucson as a final step toward joining the D-Backs, likely in early May.
--OF Eric Byrnes is back in mustache mode after hitting a two-run home run Monday. He shaved his 17-day growth after a 14-game hitting streak was stopped Sunday, but vowed to start again. "That thing is taking on a life of its own," he said. "It was kind of a joke. Next thing I know, (television) is running with it. It's something to have fun with."
BY THE NUMBERS: 13-5 -- The Diamondbacks' record to start the season, the best opening stretch in franchise history. They were 13-4 before a Sunday loss.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm envious. One is 4-0 and two are 3-0 and I'm the weak link. It's fun watching the young kids pitch, especially the one I've been around for awhile, in Brandon. Micah is coming into his own. Dan, I've pitched against him, so I know what he's capable of doing. Top to bottom, it's pretty good." -- LHP Randy Johnson, after fellow starters Brandon Webb (4-0), Dan Haren and Micah Owings began the season 10-0 with a 1.96 ERA.
