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Diamondbacks look to get healthy vs. lowly Rockies

May 13, 2008 - 1:52 PM Colorado (15-23) at Arizona (23-15) 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - The Arizona Diamondbacks aim to bounce back from a rare sweep against the struggling Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series.

The Diamondbacks began the season as one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning 19 of their first 26 contests.

However, Arizona has hit a predictable lull. The Diamondbacks managed just seven runs in 13 hits while being swept by the Chicago Cubs in a three-game weekend series, and have dropped six of eight overall.

As bad as things seem for Arizona right now, they've been worse for the defending National League Champion Rockies. Colorado has lost 15 of 21 and will now have to face a well-rested Randy Johnson.

Johnson (2-1, 5.06 ERA), who had a second back surgery in as many years this offseason, was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday due to a 58-minute rain delay.

The five-time Cy Young Award winner has not pitched since allowing four runs and six hits in six innings of a 6-4 win over Philadelphia on May 6.

Meanwhile, no one has embodied the Rockies' struggles more than their ace Jeff Francis. Francis (0-3, 5.27), who won 17 games last season, is still looking for his first victory.