Diamondbacks 5 - 3 Rockies
Final
  for this game

D-Backs aim to get Saunders on track vs. Rockies

Sep 7, 2011 - 2:48 PM

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(Sports Network) - In order for the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks to capture their fifth straight series win, Joe Saunders has to pitch better than he has recently. Saunders draws the start tonight against the Colorado Rockies in the finale of a three-game set at Coors Field.

Saunders is 1-4 with a 5.05 earned run average in his last six starts, with the Diamondbacks going 2-4 in that period, and is coming off Friday's 6-2 defeat at San Francisco in which he yielded four runs -- three earned -- and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The left-hander, who is 9-12 with a 3.86 ERA in 28 starts this season, defeated Colorado back on May 24 with eight innings of two-run ball in a 5-2 win at Coors Field. Saunders is 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA in six career starts against the Rockies.

Arizona's bullpen imploded in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Rockies, who scored seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase a 3-1 deficit. David Hernandez allowed the most damage to suffer the loss and was touched for five runs and five hits in just two-thirds of an inning. Joe Patterson surrendered a pair of runs in the inning as well.

Hernandez was ejected for exchanging a few words with home plate umpire Todd Tichenor as he was walking towards the dugout.

"I usually don't show emotion, but when you lose a ball game, it adds a little," Hernandez said.

D'Backs starter Josh Collmenter lasted 6 1/3 innings, scattering five hits and one run with four strikeouts in the no-decision.

Gerardo Parra and Miguel Montero each knocked in a run for the NL West-leading D-Backs, who saw their three-game win streak snapped and lost for just the second time in their last 14 games. Montero is riding a 14-game hitting streak. Aaron Hill and Justin Upton had two hits apiece.

Arizona will head back to the desert after this set to host San Diego for four games at Chase Field.

Colorado has won three of five games since dropping five of six. Troy Tulowitzki highlighted the eighth-inning explosion with a three-run homer, while Seth Smith had three hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Jordan Pachero ended with two hits and two RBI in the win.

"It's nice to get a win, especially a come-from-behind one," Tulowitzki said. "There are some new guys on the team. It's nice to get them off to a good start."

Colorado starter Jason Hammel allowed six hits and two runs -- one earned -- with six strikeouts in seven innings for the no-decision. Reliever Matt Belisle improved to 10-4 on the season by getting the final out of the top of the eighth inning.

Veteran righty Kevin Millwood takes the ball for the Rockies in this rubber match tonight and is 2-1 with a 3.34 ERA in five starts this season. Millwood won his last start on Friday in a 3-0 victory at San Diego and delivered seven shutout innings with eight K's and no walks.

Millwood is 2-0 in his last four starts since losing his season debut at Cincinnati on Aug. 10. He has owned the D'Backs in his career as evidenced by a 6-1 mark in nine starts to go along with a 1.93 ERA.

Arizona leads the 2011 series with the Rockies by a 12-5 margin and had won six straight in the series before last night's loss.






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