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Diamondbacks start key division trip

Jul 25, 2008 - 10:10 AM Arizona (50-51) at San Francisco (43-58) 10:15 p.m. EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- If the Arizona Diamonbacks plan on separating themselves from the competition in the National League West, their upcoming 10-game road trip is the right time to start.

The Diamondbacks start a series with San Francisco Giants on Friday, then travel to the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, all division rivals.

Dan Haren (9-5, 2.58) takes the mound for the Diamondbacks and looks to win consecutive decisions for the first time since mid-June. The talented righthander has not allowed more than three runs in a start since May 27, coincidentally his only start against San Francisco. Haren allowed a season-high nine hits in that start, giving up five runs in six innings.

The Giants counter with Jonathan Sanchez (8-5, 4.10), who is winless in his last three starts after going 6-1 in his previous seven trips to the mound.

Lifetime against the Diamondbacks, the lefthander is 1-3 in five starts, posting a 5.48 ERA, but defeated them earlier this year, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in six innings, striking out six.

San Francisco stands seven games behind Arizona, despite being 15 games under .500. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Washingon Nationals after losing nine of their previous 10.