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Padres attempt to bounce back, keep lead in NL West

Sep 21, 2006 - 1:42 PM Arizona (72-79) at San Diego (79-72) 10:05 pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - The San Diego Padres try to bounce back Thursday when they play the finale of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Padres suffered an 8-2 setback to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, but retained their half-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers atop the National League West Division.

In its attempt to stay ahead in the standings, San Diego sends Woody Williams (9-5, 3.69 ERA) to the mound. The righthander has won his last two starts, the latest being an 11-2 victory over the Dodgers on Saturday. He yielded a run and five hits while striking out four in six innings.

Williams is 1-2 with a 4.19 ERA in three starts this year against Arizona.

While depending on Williams, the Padres will have to break through against Brandon Webb (16-6, 2.92). He is 2-0 with a 3.80 ERA in three appearances against them this season.

Following a 5-1 win over Colorado last Friday, the righthander won his third start in his last four outings. In his second consecutive complete game, Webb struck out a season high-tying 10 batters without a walk while yielding just six hits.

On Wednesday, rookie Alberto Callaspo drove in three runs and Eric Byrnes had two RBI for the Diamondbacks, who matched a season best with 18 hits.