Counsell a Big Part of Arizona Success

The Dodgers did not know what to do with Craig Counsell.

They acquired the second baseman in a trade from the Florida Marlins in June of 1999, and were impressed with his heart and versatility, but he was the odd man out after the club signed second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to a multiyear contract.

The Dodgers released Counsell in March of 2000, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed him three days after he left Vero Beach, Fla., and he has been a fixture in their lineup since.

Counsell played a key role Tuesday in a 2-0 victory against the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League championship series at Bank One Ballpark, going two for four with a double and scoring both runs.

A member of the Marlins’ 1997 World Series title team, Counsell is doing his part to help another recent expansion club climb the mountain.

“Well, it’s a great time to play, but I’m just trying to do my job,” he said. “If we all take the attitude of just contributing something every day ... that formula seems to be working.”

It has been for Counsell.

He is batting .444 in six championship series games, continuing to provide a boost with his attitude and accomplishments. Manager Bob Brenly bumped high-priced infielder Jay Bell to the bench because good things happen for Arizona when Counsell is on the field.

“Counsell is a ballplayer,” third baseman Matt Williams said. “That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think about that.”

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Miguel Batista, today’s Game 2 starter for the Diamondbacks, is undoubtedly viewed by the Braves as a breath of relief between Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.

How does this make him feel?

“Makes me feel a lot of people are ignoring the other stuff,” he said.

Some of his stuff includes an 11-8 record and 3.36 earned-run average this season in a breakout summer after struggling stints in Pittsburgh, Florida, Chicago, Montreal and Kansas City.

The difference?

“Having a team that can catch the ball,” said the 30-year-old right-hander, laughing. “I played for six teams and we end up last every year-last in fielding, last in hitting. It’s hard for the pitcher when you have to pitch defensively to win.”

The Braves are hoping that, given his postseason inexperience, they can score early and force him to pitch defensively again.

“I know his juices will be flowing, so I hope we can get to him early, cause something,” Chipper Jones said.

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The Braves activated all-star catcher Javy Lopez, sidelined since Oct. 1 because of a sprained left ankle.

Lopez, pinch-hitting for catcher Paul Bako in the eighth with a runner on first, struck out swinging against Johnson, then remained in the game.

TODAY

BRAVES’

TOM GLAVINE

(16-7, 3.57 ERA)

vs.

DIAMONDBACKS’

MIGUEL BATISTA

(11-8, 3.36 ERA)

Bank One Ballpark, 5:15

TV-Channel 11

Update-Glavine pitched well in a 1-0 victory against the Houston Astros last Wednesday in the division series, giving up only six hits in eight innings at Enron Field, and the Braves need a similar effort today from the two-time Cy Young award winner after dropping the series opener. The left-hander is 6-2 with a 2.57 ERA against the Diamondbacks but only 4-8 with a 3.59 ERA in the championship series. Batista delivered a solid performance in winning in his first postseason appearance Friday at St. Louis. He pitched six innings in a 5-3 victory.