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Padres host Diamondbacks in NL West showdown

Jul 31, 2007 - 3:10 PM Arizona (58-49) at San Diego (56-48) 10:05 pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Fighting for the top spot in the National League West Division, the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the San Diego Padres to open a three-game series Tuesday.

A percentage point behind the first-place Los Angles Dodgers, the Diamondbacks are in a virtual tie for the NL West lead. The Padres are just one-half game off the pace.

Brandon Webb (9-8, 3.23 ERA), will start for the Diamondbacks, who had an eight-game winning streak snapped by the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. The reigning NL Cy Young Award Winner has a solid 3.11 ERA on the road this season, but has just a 5-4 record to show for it.

San Diego starter Justin Germano (6-5, 4.20) is fresh off his first appearances at Coors Field this year. He allowed six runs, including two home runs, in five innings during 10-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. The 24-year-old righthander is 1-4 with a 7.24 ERA in five starts this month.

The Padres topped the Houston Astros 18-11 on Sunday, scoring 11 times in the first inning. Adrian Gonzalez homered in the victory and is batting .400 (12-for-30) with six RBI in his last seven games.

Leadoff hitter Chris Young has homered in three of his last five games and is batting .440 (11-for-25) over his last seven games for the Diamondbacks, who have won five of eight meetings against the Padres this season.