Brito racks up 3 more hits; Ray on point

March 9th, 2016

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In what is getting to be a daily occurrence, D-backs outfielder Socrates Brito turned in another good performance Tuesday, going 3-for-3 with an RBI in a 5-3 Angels win.
"He's played well, he really, really looks good," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "There's not a day he doesn't do something good, right? Defensively, offensively, he's come here to make a team. So, it's very impressive."
Brito, who was hitting .667 through four games with a few nice defensive plays to his credit as well, is competing with Yasmany Tomas for the starting left-field spot. But it's not out of the question Brito -- ranked as the D-backs' fourth-best prospect -- could make the team as a backup.
"He's in the race to be on this team," Hale said. "There's no doubt about it."
Race for final rotation spot
Left-hander Robbie Ray turned in his second straight impressive outing with a three-inning scoreless start against the Angels, and he has not allowed a run in five innings this spring.
"I'm getting better every time out," Ray said. "I'm just fine-tuning things. The main thing today was just staying around the zone. I was able to get quick outs and work out of those big counts."

Zack Godley, who is also in competition for the fifth spot, allowed three runs over three innings in an 8-8 tie with the Padres on Tuesday.
"Godley was OK," Hale said. "He had a [defensive] play he didn't make, and then they hit a home run. His third inning was really good, he improved a lot. He had the movement. Ball was moving all over the place."
Worth noting
• Infielder Jean Segura, who is battling to become the starter at second or short, was 3-for-4 against the Padres to raise his average to .692. He also made a nice diving play at second base.
"Segura made a phenomenal play," Hale said.
• Right-hander Kaleb Fleck struck out the Padres in order in the seventh.
"Fleck threw really well," Hale said. "Made some adjustments at the start of camp with [pitching coach Mike Butcher] and really looks good."
• Reliever Jake Barrett tossed a scoreless inning against the Angels.
"That was as good as I've seen him," Hale said.
Up next:Zack Greinke will make his second start of the spring for the D-backs on Wednesday when they play host to the Padres at Salt River Fields at 1:10 p.m. MST (watch on MLB.TV or listen to an exclusive webcast). Greinke, who was signed to a $206.5 million deal in December, will be followed to the mound by Tyler Wagner. Wagner is competing for the No. 5 spot in the Arizona rotation.