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Dodgers-Diamondbacks Preview

Aug 15, 2009 - 6:07 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (69-46) at Arizona (52-63), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Dodgers are suddenly struggling at the plate. Facing Arizona Diamondbacks starter Doug Davis probably won't make matters any easier for the NL West leaders.

Back to searching for answers after showing signs of ending their slump, the Dodgers look to beat one of the majors' hottest pitchers as they face Davis and the Diamondbacks on Saturday night at Chase Field.

Los Angeles (69-47) has lost six of nine, scoring two runs or fewer five times during that stretch. The Dodgers scored a combined 13 runs in two wins against San Francisco early this week, but they lost that series' finale 4-2 in 10 innings Wednesday and were defeated 4-1 by Arizona on Friday in the opener of this three-game series.

After failing to solve Dan Haren, Los Angeles now has to contend with Davis (7-10, 3.62 ERA). Davis' record doesn't reflect how well he's pitched, with Arizona scoring an average of 3.6 runs for him.

Davis, though, is finally starting to get some support. He's received a total of 11 runs to work with in winning his last two starts after getting a combined five in his previous four outings.

The left-hander is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA over his last four starts.

"His methodical approach to pitching is a testament to his preparation," Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said. "He understands how to change a batter's timing, how to change eye levels, how to make pitches. He creates his own luck. He creates his own outs. He's having a terrific year."

Davis allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings as Arizona beat the New York Mets 7-4 on Monday.

The veteran is 5-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 10 starts versus the Dodgers. Los Angeles slugger Manny Ramirez, though, has excelled against Davis, going 10 for 20.

Ramirez is 10 for 18 over his last five games and is coming off a 3-for-4 effort, but his teammates were limited to four hits Friday as the Dodgers went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

Los Angeles center fielder Matt Kemp was one of the team's few bright spots, ruining Haren's shutout with his 17th home run. Kemp is batting .348 in 19 games at Arizona.

Kemp had three RBIs in the last contest Hiroki Kuroda (5-5, 4.21) started. Kuroda, set to take his turn in the Dodgers' rotation, gave up one run in 6 1-3 innings of Los Angeles' 4-2 win over San Francisco on Monday.

The right-hander has won his last two outings and the Dodgers have won each of the last five games he has started.

Kuroda is 1-3 with a 4.32 ERA in five starts against the Diamondbacks. He'll face an Arizona team that is batting .307 while averaging 5.3 runs over its last eight games.

The Diamondbacks trail the Dodgers by 16 games in the NL West, but they've won 10 of 15.

"We're still here playing," Arizona third baseman Mark Reynolds said. "We're out here to win and play the game the right way."