Roberts swinging hot bat since break

By Anthony Fenech / MLB.com | 07/19/11

PHOENIX -- In Monday's postgame press conference, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson playfully referred to Ryan Roberts this way:

"He's good and he's a knucklehead, too," Gibson said. "Reminds me a lot of his manager."

In the 3-0 win over the Brewers, Roberts hit his 13th home run of the year and second in as many days. It was the second time this year he's homered in consecutive days.

He's 4-for-9 since the All-Star break and has hit safely in each start during that span.

"I was just struggling right before the break," he said. "I wasn't tired, I didn't feel like I needed a break, but it did obviously help to rest the body.

"It was just one of those moments in baseball where it wasn't going right for me."

The 30-year-old infielder is hitting .263 with 40 RBIs and 13 stolen bases entering Tuesday's game.

"He's so anxious to do right and do well that he takes everything you say," Gibson said. "He doesn't take it with a grain of salt, he really takes it to heart and sometimes looks a little further than what it is.

"I can relate to that. I love his eagerness, his desire, determination and the way he plays."

Roberts hit leadoff and started at third base on Tuesday.