Mike Bacsik to face ex-Tucson teammate today.

Other articles by Patrick Finley:

UA stadium expansion supported by president Like team, freshman packs a punch but needs work on 'D' Strong arms, kinship Arizona lands pitching coach Open tryout gives Cougars a backup plan at quarterback Wildcats 'D' picking up steam Sophomore carries CDO to win Wildcats push for stadium changes Hunted Trojans entertain Oregon Heat fails to change coach's approach

Administrative & Professional
KNIGHT PIESOLD
PART-TIME OFFICE ASSISTANT Production and Manufacturing
Industrial Tool, Die & Engineering Co.
CNC Lathe Lead General
Copperstate OB/GYN
Operator Computer
Flowing Wells Schools
Computer Technician Driver/Transportation
DRIVERS Sales and Marketing
sales Education
Yavapao College
Nursing Instructor

PHOENIX — Mike Bacsik and Chip Hale chatted near the Chase Field batting cage 2 1/2 hours before Saturday's game.

When Bacsik finished talking to his Sidewinders skipper from last year, he hustled toward the Washington Nationals dugout and into the clubhouse.

Reporters followed him.

"You gonna go talk to Bacsik?" Hale, the Diamondbacks' third base coach, joked.

The 29-year-old journeyman has become notorious. Tuesday, he gave up home run No. 756 to Barry Bonds.

The Nationals lefty — whose father, Mike, pitched to Hank Aaron in 1976 when he had 755 homers — has handled the publicity with aplomb. Still, Saturday, he sounded ready to put the record-breaking blast behind him.

"That moment's over," Bacsik said Saturday. "He's hit a couple more. It's his record. I threw the pitch. I understand that I'm part of it.

"I'm kinda done with everything, because I think I've answered everything possible to answer."

Bacsik starts today against friend and former Sidewinders teammate Micah Owings. Last year, Bacsik went 11-0 with a 2.79 ERA in Tucson; Owings was 10-0 with a 3.70 ERA.

"Me and Micah, we were 21-0, going against each other," Bacsik said.

Bacsik said he is "cheering" for his former teammates, whom he said were boosted by last year's Triple-A title.

"All those guys that are over there, they feel like they're winners," he said. "That's important."

The Diamondbacks have the best record in the National League — but are 12th in attendance.

To try to remedy the problem, the team began Saturday's game at 5 p.m. instead of 6:40. The game drew 33,121 fans.

"These guys, obviously, they'd love to play in front of big crowds," manager Bob Melvin said. "But you also have to do some good things to get people to come here. It's not like they don't follow us; the TV ratings are great. But we have to play well to get people out here.

"I've seen what the effect of a big crowd here has. In '01 and '02, this place was rockin' every night. The team hasn't done as well in the years after that. We have to get them back here. We have to play well and get them back here."

As of Saturday, the team averaged 26,338 fans over 58 games, leading only Cincinnati, Washington, Pittsburgh and Florida in the National League.

Third baseman Mark Reynolds said he could not hear himself think at Dodger Stadium last week. He wants that feeling at home.

"We're in first place down here," he said. "Definitely, the crowd is the 10th man out there. It really helps out a lot to have the crowd out there behind you, cheering for you."

● In the eighth inning of Saturday night's game, first baseman Conor Jackson dived to his left and caught a liner to rob Felipe Lopez of a sure double. The next batter, Nook Logan, singled — making the stab that much more significant.

"Probably the biggest play of the day," pitcher Brandon Webb said.

Melvin said Jackson, who is often lifted for a defensive replacement, is improving.

"He's been really, really working hard over there," Melvin said.

Jackson has made strides at the plate, too. He has hit in 14 of his past 18 games, good for four homers, 13 RBIs and a .324 average.

● Right fielder Justin Upton has three triples in 30 at-bats; the National League leader, Jimmy Rollins, has 14 in more than 500 at-bats.

"I guess I can run a little bit, and balls are getting to the fence," the 19-year-old said. "Out there, the ball bounces around."

● Eric Byrnes stole his 31st base of the season, good for No. 3 in franchise history. Tony Womack stole 72 bases in 1999 and 45 in 2000.