Owings impressing on basepaths

SAN DIEGO -- D-backs shortstop Chris Owings saw Padres right fielder Chris Denorfia approaching his single in right cautiously due to the sun on Saturday, and turned what should have been a single into a hustle double.

It was just the latest example of Owings' impressive work on the bases.

"That's the kind of baserunning I like," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "He has the tools to do it."

There are two ingredients that help Owings take an extra base in those situations. He has good speed, but also good technique -- from the way he hustles out of the box, to the route he takes to first, to the way he rounds the base.

Owings spends time during batting practice each day sharpening his skills on the bases, which helps him get a feel for balls he can run on.

"I run the bases during batting practice every day and I try to get the reads out there," he said. "I take it pretty serious. I feel like I've been an aggressive baserunner my whole career. Just playing the game hard is what it really boils down to. Just take the extra base when it's there."