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Arizona aims for first winning season vs. AL in four years

Jun 24, 2007 - 3:03 PM Baltimore (32-42) at Arizona (43-32) 4:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks conclude their interleague slate on Sunday when they host the Baltimore Orioles in the rubber game of the three-game series.

While the Diamondbacks have won six of their last eight contests, the rotation has not been holding up its end. In those games, Arizona starters have lasted more than six frames just once.

One of the worst offenders, Doug Davis (4-8, 4.26 ERA) will try to help the Diamondbacks notch their first winning record in interleague games since 2003, which was also Arizona's last winning season. He has failed to pitch more than five innings in any of his last three outings, going 0-2 with an 11.08 ERA in that time.

The lefthander surrendered seven runs and nine hits over four frames on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but did not factor into the decision in 10-8 Diamondbacks' win in 10 innings. Davis is 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA in four starts and one relief appearance against the Orioles.

Baltimore will answer with Steve Trachsel (5-5, 4.24), who is 4-2 with a 3.44 ERA in 10 starts against the Diamondbacks. After a month in which he posted a 3-1 record and a 2.84 ERA, he has responded with his worst month, going 1-2 with a 6.97 ERA in four starts in June.

In Tuesday's 12-6 loss against the Padres, he lasted just 4 2/3 innings, yielding five runs and six hits.