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Pirates-Diamondbacks Preview

Apr 8, 2010 - 10:47 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (2-0) at Arizona (2-1), 9:40 p.m. EDT

The Arizona Diamondbacks hit the second-most home runs in the NL after the All-Star break in 2009, and that power surge has extended into this season.

Six homers in their first series helped the Diamondbacks take two of three, and they'll look to continue going deep Friday night when they open a three-game set against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

Arizona (2-1) hit 85 homers in 73 games in the second half last season - it hit 88 in 89 games prior to the break - but that meant little to a club that finished 70-92, its worst record in five years.

The Diamondbacks have not lost their power stroke, but in their opening series against San Diego, it started helping them win. Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds went deep in a 6-3 win Monday, and after failing to homer in a 6-3 loss Tuesday, Arizona hit four home runs - two by Kelly Johnson - in a 5-3 victory in the finale.

"That happens sometimes when you're not thinking about trying to hit a homer," said Johnson, who batted leadoff for the first time since signing with the Diamondbacks in the offseason. "It's amazing that way."

Arizona shouldn't be surprised if its powerful start at the plate continues against the Pirates (2-1). The Diamondbacks hit 14 homers in taking six of seven from Pittsburgh last season - four coming off the bat of Ryan Roberts, who was edged by Rusty Ryal for the team's final roster spot earlier this week.

Justin Upton has had multi-hit games in his last four contests against the Pirates.

Charlie Morton (5-9, 4.55 ERA) will try to slow the Diamondbacks down in his season debut, and he closed strong last season after struggling upon arriving from Atlanta in June. The right-hander was 2-6 with a 5.51 ERA in his first 11 starts with the Pirates, but finished 3-3 with a 3.50 ERA and threw a shutout in his season finale Sept. 30.

Morton has gone 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA in two career starts at Chase Field.

The Pirates got 10 hits in an 11-5 win over Los Angeles on opening day, then won 4-3 in 10 innings Wednesday as Garrett Jones hit a three-run shot in the first - his third homer in two games.

Jones went 0 for 3 on Thursday, but Pittsburgh's pitching and defense were the main culprits in a 10-2 loss to the Dodgers. The Pirates committed three errors and allowed seven extra-base hits.

"It was an ugly game all-around," third baseman Andy LaRoche said. "We didn't really hit. We didn't play defense. I don't know where it all went today."

Arizona, which shut out Pittsburgh three times last season, will send a new face to the mound Friday night. Journeyman Rodrigo Lopez (3-1, 5.70) makes his Diamondbacks debut after appearing in seven games with Philadelphia - five starts - in 2009.

Lopez had a 1.64 ERA in spring training, striking out 16 and walking four in 22 innings.

"I feel more comfortable and natural," Lopez told the Diamondbacks' official Web site. "I know the guys. They know what I can do I don't feel, I don't have to prove anything to them. I can just be myself and do the best I can for them and give us a chance to win."

Lopez has never faced the Pirates.