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Astros-Diamondbacks Preview

Aug 29, 2009 - 6:06 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Houston (62-65) at Arizona (56-72), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Arizona Diamondbacks followed up one of their best offensive games of the season with an even better one in their last game.

After their highest-scoring game in more than three years, the Diamondbacks look to have another big night at the plate as they continue their three-game series against the Houston Astros on Saturday.

Arizona (57-72) might not be fighting for a spot in the postseason, but it hasn't stopped the team from putting together its best back-to-back offensive performances of the year.

After scoring 11 runs in a shutout of San Francisco on Thursday, the Diamondbacks outdid that slugfest with a 14-7 victory against Houston (62-66) on Friday. Arizona hit three home runs among its 16 hits, including one by John Hester in his first major league at-bat in the sixth. Hester was called up before the game to fill the roster spot left by the trade of reliever Jon Rauch to Minnesota.

"I had the adrenalin flowing," Hester said. "A little nervous, excited, kind of the culmination of everything I've worked after, and it just kind of all came together at the right time."

Alex Romero hit a three-run homer to cap a seven-run third inning, and Miguel Montero added a solo shot in the sixth.

It was the Arizona's highest-scoring game since finishing with 15 runs in a victory against the Cubs on July 31, 2006. The Diamondbacks, who have won 14 of 21 at home, have scored 25 runs in their last two games after totaling 28 and hitting .210 in losing nine of their previous 10.

It was the fourth loss in five games for the Astros, who got just two innings from starter Yorman Bazardo after he gave up eight runs and walked three in his fourth major league start.

Hunter Pence homered and doubled for his first multihit game since Aug. 12.

Pence and the Astros will face Jon Garland (7-11, 4.48 ERA) for the second time in a week as the right-hander takes the mound.

Garland recorded his first win in four starts against Houston on Sunday despite giving up four runs and 10 hits - including two home runs - in six innings of the 7-5 win. It was only the fourth time in his last 18 starts that Arizona has won.

That victory improved Garland to 1-1 with a 4.68 ERA in four starts against the Astros. He had lost the previous outing against them this season.

Garland will again face Houston's Bud Norris (3-2, 5.86), who is trying to avoid losing a third straight start.

He gave up six runs in one inning of that loss to Arizona, and the rookie right-hander has an 11.57 ERA in his last three outings.

"I can't really say I was overthrowing, but I might have been thinking a little too much instead of just going out there and playing the game," he said. "I know my strengths, and I need to stick to them more."