Montero returns to cleanup spot for D-backs

By Anthony Fenech / MLB.com | 08/10/11

PHOENIX -- For the second consecutive day, D-backs catcher Miguel Montero was hitting in the cleanup spot on Wednesday.

During Tuesday night's offensive explosion against the Astros, Montero, hitting between Justin Upton and Chris Young, recorded three hits and drove in three runs.

"Right now, Miggy hasn't been swinging the bat well," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "But if he swings the bat the way he did last night, then I like him anywhere. He did a good job there."

Tuesday night marked the seventh time this season he's been in the cleanup spot, where he was hitting .346. For his career, Montero has hit .270 with two home runs and 20 RBIs in 51 starts as a cleanup hitter.

Two of the left-handed hitter's three hits on Tuesday went the opposite way to left field.

"He knows it," Gibson said of the approach. "It's how you change it."

And while playing catcher on a day-to-day basis, sometimes the fatigue takes a toll on the batting average.

"It's a challenge because you get a little tired," Montero said.

He said that to combat that fatigue, from time-to-time he cuts back on his pre or postgame workouts.

"You're always going to slow down your workout a little bit," he said. "Shut it back a little bit but not as much, you just try to stay on top."

Montero entered Wednesday hitting .274 with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs.