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Diamondbacks aim to continue post All-Star break success

Aug 18, 2007 - 1:49 PM Arizona (70-53) at Atlanta (64-58) 7:05 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Proud owners of the major league's best record since the All-Star break, the Arizona Diamondbacks continue their three-game series with the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

One of the main reasons for the Diamondbacks resurgence is ace Brandon Webb, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner who has helped his club post 20 wins in its last 25 games and go 23-10 since the Midsummer Classic.

On Friday, Webb extended his scoreless streak to 42 straight innings as he threw his third consecutive shutout in Arizona's series-opening 4-0 win over Atlanta. Rookie Chris Young had three hits, homering twice.

Micah Owings (5-6, 4.76 ERA) would not mind some of Webb's winning touch as he aims to snap a personal five-game losing streak. The rookie righthander has also not won a game since June 20 - a span of 10 starts.

He pitched very well in his last outing, a 2-1 loss to the Washington Nationals on Sunday in which he did not receive a decision, allowing a run and four hits over six frames. He also matched a career high with eight strikeouts.

Owings will be facing Atlanta for the first time in his career.

On the other side of the spectrum, Buddy Carlyle (7-4, 4.39) has enjoyed a great deal of success recently, winning six of his last eight decisions. One of those losses came on Sunday when he surrendered four runs - three earned - and six hits over 4 1/3 innings.

The righthander will make his second start - and first since 1999 - against Arizona. He has also made two relief appearances in 2000, but has not recorded a decision against the Diamondbacks despite a 2.89 ERA.