Snake bites

• Because the D-backs' bullpen was needed for 6 1/3 innings Tuesday, Saturday's scheduled starter Trevor Cahill was available for emergency relief Wednesday. The right-hander tossed four scoreless innings out of the 'pen Saturday in the club's 18-inning marathon game with the Phillies.

• D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said Arizona is considering using a six-man rotation in September.

"We've talked about it," he said. "Just more rest for everybody and it gives us more flexibility. We'll just see who we bring up, then we'll make that determination. You have to look at who is going to be your sixth starter and who is going to be your long guy. Some say let's just move [Josh] Collmenter in there, but boy, it'd be hard to move him out of what he does now, his last few games have been incredible."

• While on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno, Willie Bloomquist played against his college coach at Arizona State, Pat Murphy, who now manages the Padres' Triple-A affiliate. On Monday, Murphy left the veteran infielder a surprise care package in his locker.

"When I got to the clubhouse, he had a walker, some prune juice, some Just for Men and some Depends and Ensure sent over to the clubhouse. I knew exactly where it came from. That's him, he likes to have fun. It was great, I took the lineup card out with the walker the first game.

"It was awesome seeing him, that was kind of the silver lining of everything. We hung out after the game a little bit and had lunch the next day. It was a chance to reconnect a bit, he's awesome, just the best. One of my favorite people in the world."