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Owings hopes to end recent woes

Jun 21, 2008 - 1:41 PM Arizona (39-35) at Minnesota (38-36), 7:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Micah Owings will attempt to avoid losing his fourth consecutive decision when the Arizona Diamondbacks face the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.

Owings (6-5, 5.18 ERA) has been roughed up his last four outings, posting an 0-3 record with a 9.95 ERA in that span.

The 25-year-old righthander was tagged for seven runs and eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings during Sunday's 8-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

He will be opposed by rookie Nick Blackburn (5-4, 3.87), who had his start pushed back because of elbow soreness. The righthander gave up two runs and seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts over six frames in an 8-5 win over the Cleveland Indians on June 11.

Matt Macri left Friday's game between Minnesota and Arizona early, but did plenty of damage in his short appearance - some to himself, but most to the Diamondbacks.

Macri came through with two-run single during a six-run third inning against Arizona starter Randy Johnson as the Twins went on to beat Arizona, 7-2, at the Metrodome. The rookie third baseman strained a calf muscle on the play, however, and is listed as day-to-day.

Minnesota is seeking its fifth straight win.