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Diamondbacks, Rockies try to improve playoff standing

Sep 29, 2007 - 1:25 PM Arizona (90-70) at Colorado (87-73) 8:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) - The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies will try to improve their playoff standing when they continue a three-game series on Saturday.

The Diamondbacks edged the Rockies, 4-2, in the series opener on Friday. The win ended Colorado's 11-game win streak and clinched Arizona a postseason birth.

Arizona currently sits atop the National League West Division, one game in front of the San Diego Padres (89-71), who are in the midst of a four-game winning streak.

While the Diamondbacks are already in the playoffs, the Rockies are still trying to clinch their second playoff spot in team history. The loss on Friday takes Colorado out of contention for the NL West and puts it two games behind the Padres in the NL wild card.

Mark Redman (1-4, 8.67 ERA) will try to keep alive Rockies' playoff hopes when he takes the mound on Saturday. Redman will be making his second start with Colorado after being released by the Atlanta Braves earlier this season.

Redman allowed just two runs and four hits over 4 1/3 innings in his first start with the Rockies last Saturday. Despite the strong start, the 33-year-old lefthander did not factor into the decision as the Rockies won, 6-2, over the Padres.

The Diamondbacks will counter with Edgar Gonzalez (8-3, 4.73), who surrendered three runs and eight hits in his last start on Sunday. The 24-year-old righthander was affected by a blood blister and only lasted 3 1/3 innings during the 7-1 setback to the Los Angeles Dodgers.