He's a hit on his first day

And in his first game with the Tucson Toros on Friday night, Spivey delivered the winning hit — a walk-off single for a 6-5 victory after the Victoria Seals intentionally walked the two previous batters to load the bases with one out.

After signing with the Golden Baseball League team earlier in the day, Spivey went 1 for 3 with two walks, batting second as the designated hitter at Hi Corbett Field.

Four years since he last played in the majors, Spivey, 34, hopes for another shot at the big leagues. He will play various positions — second base, shortstop, third base and outfield — while he remains close to his family. He has lived in Chandler for four years.

"I still have young legs. I can still run the bases," said Spivey, who hit .270 from 2001 to 2005 with the D-backs, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals. "I'll just let my play do the talking and play with intensity and enthusiasm, and hopefully that can rub off a little bit."

During spring training this year, Spivey was released from his minor-league contract with the New York Mets. He then joined the independent Atlantic League's Camden (N.J.) Riversharks, hitting .261 with five home runs in 62 games. He said he asked for his release Monday and then called Toros manager Tim Johnson, whom he has known since 2000, when Johnson coached him in Mexico.

Spivey said he initially agreed to play for the Toros (3-2) to begin the season, but changed his mind and headed to the East Coast to explore career possibilities.

"After being released by the Mets, I was thinking, I'm 34, I need to start thinking about life after the game," he said. "It was a great experience. I met a great group of guys."

Spivey expressed no frustration about his experience in Camden, but said he wanted to return home. He hopes his sons, 1 and 4, can see him play.

"I'm just excited and happy to have a uniform on and still having fun and competing," said Spivey, who played for the D-backs from 2001 to 2003 and the Tucson Sidewinders in 2000, 2001 and 2003.

Johnson said Spivey will play every day, spell other regulars and bat second.

"He can play anywhere because he's such a great athlete — great speed, attitude. He's going to mean so much to the ballclub," Johnson said.

Spivey said he is healthy, and his last major injury was a pinched nerve in his neck in 2007. After hitting .232 in his final major-league season, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals' and Boston Red Sox's Triple-A teams and the Atlantic League's Bridgeport club. After the Sox released him during 2008 spring training, he didn't play again last year.

Spivey's goal remains another shot at the majors. He mentioned ex-teammate Steve Finley, who played until he was 42.

"As long as you're healthy, playing the game the right way and playing hard, opportunities can happen," Spivey said.

Inside pitch

• To make room for Spivey, pitcher Jason Jacome was put on the inactive list. With Spivey at DH, Jim Rushford played his first game in left field.

• Lorenzo Barcelo allowed four runs in seven innings. Victoria tied it 5-5 with a run off Rene Garcia in the eighth. Reid Price pitched a scoreless ninth.

On StarNet: See more photos from the Toros game at azstarnet.com/slideshows

TODAY

• What: Victoria Seals at Toros

• Radio: 7 p.m. on 1450-AM