Notes from Friday's games

ST. LOUIS: Tony LaRussa tried to shake 2B Ronnie Belliard out of his slump by moving him into the leadoff spot Friday night. It was Belliard's third time as a leadoff man since the Cardinals acquired him from Cleveland July 30. Belliard was hitless in 13 at-bats in the first four games of St. Louis' seven-game road trip. ... LF Scott Spiezio was back in the lineup Friday after homering twice in the series opener at Arizona on Thursday night. Spiezio has driven in 29 of 43 RBIs with two outs this season. ... With a victory Saturday night, RHP Jason Marquis (14-13) can tie for the league lead in victories. He's one behind Los Angeles' Brad Penny. The last Cardinal to lead the league in wins was Matt Morris with 22 in 2001.

ARIZONA: C Johnny Estrada, who was hit by St. Louis' Jeff Weaver on Thursday night, has a bruised right hand and was not in the lineup Friday night. He could return Saturday. ... OF Jeff DaVanon underwent ankle surgery this week and is expected to be back in time for spring training. ... RHP Brandon Webb faces the Cardinals Saturday night. With a victory, Webb (14-6) would tie Los Angeles' Brad Penny for the league lead in victories. Webb is 1-2 with a 5.61 ERA in his last four starts. ... With SS Stephen Drew suffering from a fever, Craig Counsell started at shortstop Friday night. Counsell, who lost his starting job after breaking a rib in July, came into the game in an 0-for-17 slump. ... Manager Bob Melvin hopes RHP Miguel Batista, who is 10-6 with a 4.44 ERA, will be part of the rotation again next year. "That's a decision he'll have to make as a free agent," Melvin said. "If it was up to me, I'd love to have him back."

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Padres-Giants

SAN DIEGO: The Padres purchased the contract of INF/OF Jon Knott from Triple-A Portland and made room on the 40-man roster for him by transferring INF/OF Ryan Klesko to the 60-day disabled list. Knott gives manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in the lineup. He batted .280 and led the Pacific Coast League with 32 home runs and 113 RBIs. "He had a good year," Bochy said. "He gives us another right-handed bat. He's a strong boy." Klesko hasn't played this season because of a left shoulder injury and is still unable to take batting practice. "He hasn't done anything," Bochy said. ... GM Kevin Towers figures the Padres must play .500 over their 10-game road trip - and taking two of three from the Giants and Dodgers would be ideal, he said. "This time of year, every series is crucial for us," Towers said. "From more of a confidence standpoint, we haven't played too well against these guys (Giants). We need to turn that around." ... RHP Chris Young, the starter for Tuesday's game at Cincinnati, will travel early Sunday so he has extra time to rest and prepare.

SAN FRANCISCO: LHP Noah Lowry, who missed his last start because of irritation in his elbow, played catch and came out of the session well. An MRI exam on the elbow was "clean," trainer Stan Conte said, and Lowry was scheduled to do more throwing Saturday. "It's getting better," Lowry said. "I was having trouble straightening out my arm without pain. Now, I'm able to do that pain-free." ... Manager Felipe Alou might tweak his rotation and plans to be careful with Lowry once he returns. "We've got to do some rearranging here," Alou said. ... Closer Armando Benitez, nursing soreness in both knees, missed his fifth straight game and wasn't expected to pitch all weekend.