Ziegler enjoying jump to contending D-backs

By Anthony Fenech / MLB.com | 08/06/11

PHOENIX -- Brad Ziegler can tell he's fitting in with the D-backs.

"They're not afraid to poke fun at me," the right-handed reliever said. "The longer that I've been here, the more that they're throwing me into that mix."

Ziegler is still getting acclimated to the Phoenix area, the D-backs and, among other things, pitching in a pennant race.

After spending the first 3 1/2 seasons of his Major League career with the A's and only once getting within a handful of games of a playoff spot late in the season, the change is a welcome one.

"To go into the second week of August half a game back, it's a great feeling," Ziegler said. "That's what everybody plays for. You want to win the World Series, and to get there, you have to make the playoffs.

"To be this close and have a shot right now, that's right where we want to be."

Ziegler was acquired in a trade from the A's for Brandon Allen and Jordan Norberto on July 31 and has a 2.29 ERA on the season.

He's made two appearances with the D-backs and has not allowed an earned run.

"It's been great," Ziegler said. "It's a real relaxed clubhouse, everybody likes to have fun and joke around with each other a lot, so it's been an easy adjustment for sure."