Lefty

Here is a Sidewinders report. Cintron is on fire while Gosling struggles.

By James Bennett
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

The transition from El Paso to Tucson has been tougher than expected for Sidewinders pitcher Mike Gosling.

The left-handed starter was the losing pitcher in Tuesday afternoon's 12-10 slugfest with the Portland Beavers at Tucson Electric Park.

Gosling allowed five earned runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings in falling to 0-3 this season.

The Diamondbacks second-round draft pick in 2001 led the Class AA Texas League with 14 victories last season.

"He was up and down in the strike zone and behind in the count," Sidewinders manager Al Pedrique said. "He needs to be more consistent on both sides of the plate, pitching better inside and outside."

Gosling, 22, is facing hitters in the Pacific Coast League with more experience, Pedri-que said, and it has shown.

Gosling's ERA soared to 6.98 after the drubbing from Portland.

"A lot of these hitters have been around for a while," Ped-rique said. "They're better than just about anyone he saw in El Paso. He needs to study the hitters and figure them out."

There is no way the Diamondbacks would send Gosling back to El Paso, even if he struggles, Pedrique said.

"We're not going to push the panic but-ton with these kids," Pedrique said. "There's nothing to gain from sending him to El Paso. He just needs to believe in himself and understand that he deserves to be here."

Cintron on fire

Shortstop Alex Cintron's batting average improved to .456 after going 4 for 5 with a home run and two doubles.

Cintron is waiting for a call to rejoin the Diamondbacks, with infielders Matt Williams, Junior Spivey and Tony Womack struggling at the plate.

"I feel comfortable every time up," Cintron said.

Pedrique said: "Right now, he's the toughest out in the PCL."

Inside pitch

* Doug DeVore hit a home run and went 2 for 4 for the Sidewinders, improving his batting average to .212. DeVore hit .261 in 125 games in 2001.

* D'backs catcher Rod Barajas might be in the lineup Thursday when the Side-winders begin a four-game series with Tacoma. Barajas is coming back from a strained hamstring.

* The Sidewinders finalized plans Tuesday for Friday night's "Slots of Fun." Casino of the Sun has signed on as the primary sponsor, Sidewinders owner Jay Zucker said.

* Sidewinders pitcher Brandon Webb was called up by the D'backs on Monday. He could start Friday in place of pitcher Miguel Batista, who faces a suspension for Sunday's brawl with the St. Louis Cardinals.