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D'Backs target eighth win in a row vs. Rockies

Aug 30, 2011 - 3:11 PM (Sports Network) - Arizona's third seven-game winning streak of the season has led to the club taking its largest lead atop the National League West. The Diamondbacks next aim to win eight in a row for the first time this year as they continue a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field.

The D-Backs stretched their edge over the Giants for the top spot in the standings to five games on Monday night after a 5-1 victory over the Rockies. The win was also Arizona's 10th straight at home.

Daniel Hudson scattered three hits and struck out eight over seven scoreless innings and also capped a four-run sixth frame with an RBI single. He won his 14th game of the season after Arizona escaped a shaky ninth inning with minimal damage.

"I was fighting myself early on, trying to make too perfect of a pitch," Hudson said.

The Rockies loaded the bases off the Diamondbacks bullpen in the final frame, prompting manager Kirk Gibson to go to closer J.J. Putz. The right-hander's second pitch hit Chris Iannetta to force in Troy Tulowitzki, but Putz recovered to post his 34th save of the season by striking out pinch-hitter Jason Giambi and retiring Dexter Fowler on a fly ball to left field.

Colorado lost for the third time in four contests following a five-game win streak after starter Alex White allowed five runs over six innings on his 23rd birthday.

"I felt like I had great stuff tonight. I think that's the frustrating part," White said.

Carlos Gonzalez, recently named the NL Player of the Week, went 0-for-3 to snap his hitting streak at 15 consecutive games.

Arizona won for the 12th time in its last 16 home games against the Rockies and have taken nine of 13 from the club this season. That includes six of the past seven encounters and the Diamondbacks will look to continue that trend tonight behind rookie Wade Miley in his third career start.

Miley endured a tough debut on Aug. 20 in Atlanta, allowing five runs over four innings in a loss before rebounding to beat the Nationals in Washington on Thursday. The 24-year-old lefty hurled six scoreless innings, working around five hits and four walks in an 8-1 victory.

Miley is slated to make his home debut and will be opposed by Aaron Cook, who has allowed 14 earned runs over his past three starts and is coming off a no- decision versus the Astros on Wednesday. The righty gave up six runs -- five earned -- on 11 hits over five frames of that 7-6 victory.

Cook is 3-7 with a 5.47 earned run average in 14 starts this season. That includes a victory over the Diamondbacks on July 22 despite allowing four runs over six innings at Arizona.

The 32-year-old has faced the D-Backs 23 times in his career, going 6-4 with a 5.48 ERA.