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Pirates-Diamondbacks Preview

Apr 10, 2010 - 6:28 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Pittsburgh (2-2) at Arizona (3-1), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Arizona Diamondbacks couldn't have asked for a better effort from Dan Haren in their season opener. He just might deliver one in his next start.

The three-time All-Star tries to remain perfect against the Pirates when the teams continue their weekend series Saturday night at Chase Field.

With 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb on the disabled list while recovering from shoulder surgery, Haren (1-0, 1.29 ERA) remains the current ace of Arizona's staff.

The right-hander lived up to that role after he gave up one run, three hits and no walks in seven innings of a 6-3 win over San Diego on Monday. Haren retired 19 of the first 20 batters he faced, and threw 20 of 24 first-pitch strikes.

Since being traded to Arizona in December 2007, Haren is 31-18 with a 3.20 ERA.

"His name should be mentioned up there with the likes of Roy Halladay and (C.C.) Sabathia, those guys that are perennial award winners," Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said. "He hasn't got a ton of attention."

Though Haren has a 4.08 ERA against the Pirates, he's 3-0 in six starts against them.

It hasn't mattered who's been on the mound of late for Arizona (3-1) as Pittsburgh has lost six straight to the Diamondbacks. The Pirates fell 9-1 Friday for their eighth defeat in 10 games at Chase Field.

Arizona has won two straight, and looks to start 4-1 for the first time since 2000.

Chris Young hit a grand slam and matched a career high with five RBIs for the Diamondbacks on Friday. Arizona has hit .373 and outscored Pittsburgh 25-1 during its three-game home winning streak over the Pirates (2-2).

Adam LaRoche went 2 for 3 after going 0 for 12 in his first three games with the Diamondbacks.

"It feels good to finally contribute a little bit," the former Pirate said.

After going hitless in four at-bats opening day, Young is 6 for 11 with two home runs and seven RBIs in his last three games. He's 6 for 10 in his last three home games against the Pirates.

Young and the Diamondbacks hope to continue their recent dominance over Pittsburgh when they face Daniel McCutchen for the first time Saturday. After going 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA in six starts last season, McCutchen beat out Kevin Hart for the No. 5 starter spot.

"It feels good," McCutchen told the Pirates' official Web site. "I'm not surprised. Not to take anything away from anybody else, but I came in with 100 percent confidence that I was going after this spot. Confidence is a big thing. I have that and I'm going to go out there every day with it, trying to get better."

The right-hander, however, could be making his last appearance for a couple of weeks. Manager John Russell said McCutchen could be sent to the minors to get more work after this outing because the Pirates won't need a fifth starter until April 24.

Budding star Garrett Jones had two hits Friday for the Pirates. He's 5 for 15 with three homers this season, and 3 for 3 with a double versus Haren.