D-backs closer Bell: Issue recognized, solved

WASHINGTON -- D-backs closer Heath Bell said he has worked out the mechanical issue that has led to a rash of home runs allowed.

Bell has allowed seven runs in four innings over his last five outings. The right-hander allowed a homer in each of those appearances.

"I fixed it last Sunday," Bell said. "It was really something very simple. It's one of those things sometimes a coach sees you do something that you don't feel yourself doing or see yourself doing. Then you correct it. And as soon as you do, it's like, 'Why wasn't I doing this before?'"

After he allowed a walk and a home run to the only two batters he faced Saturday, Bell spoke the next day with pitching coach Charles Nagy, and the pair looked at video together.

Nagy asked Bell to make a small change, and Sunday they worked on implementing it during a side session.

"Threw five pitches and I was like consistent with it," Bell said. "It's just something that I wasn't aware of. It's just what happens over the course of a season."