Bell escapes jam in D-backs debut

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It was just a Spring Training game, but Heath Bell wanted to make a good impression on his new D-backs teammates Saturday.

"It was really nice to go out there and pitch and kind of show the Diamondbacks what I can do," Bell said. "It was really nice to get out there."

The D-backs traded for Bell after he suffered through a disastrous season with the Marlins.

After allowing back-to-back singles to start the third inning, Bell got Wilin Rosario to ground into a double play and then fanned Tyler Colvin to end the inning.

"Yeah, definitely a lot of nerves," Bell said after the D-backs' 11-2 loss. "I want to go out there and put up an eggshell the first one out."

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson has made pitching out of jams a point of emphasis early in camp, so Bell's Houdini act was a welcome sight.

"He managed that inning very good," Gibson said. "He gets a couple of guys on, nice executed pitch breaking down and away and gets the double play and gets out of the inning. That's what we're looking for."