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Diamondbacks aim to keep slim lead in NL West

Sep 19, 2007 - 3:08 PM San Francisco (67-84) at Arizona (85-67) 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - The Arizona Diamondbacks hope to maintain their slim lead in the National League West when they host the San Francisco Giants in the final game of a three-game series on Wednesday.

The Diamondbacks sit atop the NL West but are just one game ahead of the San Diego Padres (83-67), who have won five games in a row.

Arizona defeated San Francisco, 5-0, on Tuesday, behind a two-hit shutout from Micah Owings.

The Diamondbacks will now turn to one of their hottest pitchers in the second half to the mound in Doug Davis (13-12, 4.18 ERA). Davis has won eight games since the All-Star break against just two losses, spanning 13 starts.

However, the 31-year-old lefthander has struggled in his last two starts, failing to make it past the fifth inning and giving up 10 runs in 8 2/3 innings pitched.

San Francisco counters with Barry Zito (9-12, 4.41), who has not won a decision since August 17. However, the lefthander has not allowed more than three runs in his last seven outings, lowering his ERA from 5.13 to 4.41.

The Giants have won just five of their last 16 games, while the Diamondbacks have come out on top in six of their last seven games at home.