Getting the gloves going
Last year the Diamondbacks committed 139 errors -- the most by any team in the majors.

But through its first 40 games this season Arizona had committed the fewest errors of any team and also had the highest fielding percentage in the majors. 

The Diamondbacks' fielding has been so improved and so good that from April 21 to May 1 they set a franchise record with 89.1 consecutive errorless innings.

An improved defense up the middle was one of the team's top offseason priorities.

With Clayton at shortstop and Counsell at second base the Diamondbacks have a solid middle infield the likes of which they haven't had since Junior Spivey and Tony Womack played the positions in 2003.

There is no questioning this team's improvement with the leather, but I don't think they'll end up leading the league in fielding.

Even so solidifying the defense does wonders for the team's pitching staff.

The Diamondback pitchers get to take the mound with the good feeling that if they throw strikes they have the fielding behind them to take care of most balls that are hit.

The team's stronger defense makes the pitchers confident they can attack hitters.

The roar of a Lyon
The Diamondbacks entered the winter thinking their closer for this season would be Greg Aquino, who was called up last July to take on that role after injuries to Matt Mantei and Jose Valverde.

Things haven't turned out as planned as Aquino was hit with elbow trouble during spring training and he was eventually put on the disabled list.

That opened the door for Lyon, who missed all of last season rehabbing from ulnar nerve transposition surgery.

The right-hander came back and pitched tremendously in the closer's role before the flare up of tendinitis in his elbow.

Lyon converted on 13 of his first 14 save opportunities, and after appearing in 18 games his ERA was a stellar 1.96.

Lyon's elbow tendinitis is not considered serious but while he is sidelined Brian Brunney will get the bulk of the save opportunities. 

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