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Red-hot Diamondbacks go for sweep of Rockies

Apr 13, 2008 - 1:29 PM Colorado (4-7) at Arizona (9-2) 4:10 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Picking up right where they left off last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks own the best record in the National League and have won eight games in a row.

The Diamondbacks look to continue their hot play and complete a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

Arizona rode its pitching staff to the best record in the NL in 2007 but was swept by the Rockies in the NLCS. This season, the Diamondbacks are still one of the strongest pitching teams in the NL but have complemented that with an offense that leads the majors in runs scored.

Phenoms Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds are tied atop the NL with five homers and Chris Young is right behind with four, while Eric Byrnes and Conor Jackson are both batting close to .300.

The young lineup is averaging 7.7 runs per game during the club's current eight-game winning streak.

Arizona hands the ball to swingman Edgar Gonzalez (0-0, 1.80 ERA). The 25-year-old righthander has made one start this season, yielding one run and six hits in five innings in a no-decision against Colorado on April 6.

The Rockies will counter with veteran Aaron Cook (0-1, 3.46). The righthander was sharp in his last start, holding the Atlanta Braves to one run and two hits in seven frames, but did not factor in the decision.

Cook has struggled against Arizona in the past, owning a 4-3 record with a 5.13 ERA while allowing 104 hits in 87 2/3 innings in 15 games.