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Owings, Diamondbacks aim to break out of offensive rut

May 30, 2008 - 2:22 PM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- As strange as it sounds, the addition of pitcher Micah Owings to the lineup may help the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks score some runs.

One of the better hitting pitchers, Owings takes the hill as the Diamondbacks look to snap a season-high four-game skid in the opener of a three-game series with the Washington Nationals.

Randy Winn blasted a pair of home runs to lead the San Francisco Giants to a 4-3 victory over the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

Arizona has lost eight of 10 overall, and has scored more than three runs just twice in that span. So having Owings, who is hitting .286, in the lineup can't hurt.

Meanwhile, Owings (6-2, 3.73 ERA) has been pretty good while on the mound as well. The righthander allowed two runs and three hits in six innings of a 9-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

Washington will counter with Tim Redding (6-3, 3.59), who will try and bounce back from one of his worst outings of the season. The Nationals' most effective starter thus far, Redding was rocked for five runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings, but was let off the hook when the Nationals rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.