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Sports

Roberts powers Diamondbacks to 11-4 victory

Associated Press
Published | Updated

PHOENIX – J.J. Putz usually doesn't need much work in spring training to get ready for the season.

Good thing, since he pitched just 2 1-3 innings for the Arizona Diamondbacks this spring. And that's fine with him.

"I think all systems are go," Putz said Tuesday after his first appearance in nearly two weeks. "I feel like I'm ready."

Putz, who had been sidelined with a stiff back since March 18 and hadn't appeared in a game since March 16, worked the ninth inning of an 11-4 victory over Monterrey of the Mexican League.

He struck out three, including the first two he faced, but also hit a batter, walked one and gave up an RBI single.

Putz, signed in the offseason to be the team's closer, said only one pitch wasn't working for him.

"The split was terrible," he said. "There's days were the split is just not there. Today was just one of those days. My slider was good. I thought I had pretty good movement on my fastball."

Manager Kirk Gibson was pleased with Putz's perform and said he would like to use him one more time before the season starts.

"Overall, a pretty good day for him," Gibson said. "I'm hoping that he'll be capable of throwing to another hitter or so (Wednesday)."

Ryan Roberts hit a grand slam, continuing his impressive spring, Brandon Allen added a home run, and Justin Upton and Chris Young each had two RBIs for Arizona's split-squad.

Roberts, who came in leading the majors with a .519 average and .609 on-base percentage, went 1 for 2 with a walk and now has 15 RBIs and 14 walks in 30 games.

Notes: Arizona SS Stephen Drew, who has been dealing with an abdominal injury, had an MRI exam and met with a specialist before the game. The MRI came back negative, and he has been diagnosed with a lower-abdominal strain. Drew is listed as day to day, and Gibson said his status for opening day is "up in the air." ... Gibson said 1B Allen will be sent to Triple A Reno.