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Diamondbacks seek relief, first place in division

Sep 1, 2007 - 2:43 PM Colorado (68-65) at Arizona (75-61), 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - After the past few games, the Arizona Diamondbacks would like to get some relief from their relievers. They look to solve some bullpen issues as they continue their three-game series with the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.

As late as Sunday, the Diamondbacks were proud owners of the best record in the National League and a three-game lead in the NL West over San Diego.

However, they have since dropped four of their past five contests to lose both distinctions, falling into a first-place division tie with the Padres (74-60). San Diego and New York Mets (74-60) share the honor NL's top record, percentage points ahead of the Diamondbacks.

Over the last five games, Arizona's bullpen has given up 14 runs - 10 earned - and 20 hits in 10 1/3 innings. The latest meltdown robbed Livan Hernandez of a likely win as he threw seven scoreless innings on Friday before the relievers surrendered all seven runs in a 7-3, 10-inning loss to Colorado in the series opener.

Dana Eveland (0-0, 20.25 ERA) will make his first start this season and just the sixth of his career for the Diamondbacks. Eveland's last start came on June 2, 2006, and he has not registered a win since July 26, 2005.

In two appearances this season, the lefthander has yielded three runs over 1 1/3 innings.

The Rockies will counter with Elmer Dessens (2-1, 5.64), who will make just his fourth start this season after spending the majority of the year either coming out of the bullpen or on the disabled list.

Dessens hurled six frames, yielding one run and three hits in a 10-5 triumph over the Washington Nationals on Monday to register his first win since April 10. In 10 career appearances - five starts - against Arizona, the righthander is 1-0 with a 3.15 ERA.