Peralta liking cleanup spot behind Goldschmidt

PHOENIX -- Against most right-handed starters this year, D-backs outfielder David Peralta likely will hit cleanup in the batting order behind Paul Goldschmidt and ahead of Mark Trumbo.

As he discovered Tuesday night, it's a good place to be.

"Hitting behind Goldy, he's a star and he's one of those guys who makes the pitcher work and throw a lot of pitches," Peralta said. "That's good for me because I can see all of a pitcher's pitches when I'm on deck. With Trumbo behind me, a power hitter, another star player, they're not going to want to have to face him with people on base."

Peralta smacked a three-run homer Tuesday night after Goldschmidt was walked ahead of him.

"Goldschmidt's the guy in our lineup that people are a little bit afraid of so we need somebody, whether it's Trumbo or Peralta, behind him that strikes fear in the other team," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "I think right now they're kind of testing David a little bit in between the two of them. But we feel confident that he can do it."

Against left-handers, Hale probably will put the right-handed-hitting Trumbo behind Goldschmidt, but Peralta will be there against righties.

"He's a beast," Hale said. "I've called him that all spring. He's strong; he's got a short swing. He's really become a very smart hitter."