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Diamondbacks hope to keep rolling against lowly Braves

Aug 7, 2008 - 2:15 PM Atlanta (52-62) at Arizona (59-55), 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Just when it appeared the Arizona Diamondbacks were out of breath and stumbling toward the finish line of the National League West Division race, they regained momentum. More, however, could be on the way.

The Diamondbacks look to win for the sixth time in nine games as they take on the sinking Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

Jeff Karstens came within four outs of a perfect game as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Diamondbacks 2-0 on Wednesday. That came only after Arizona won the first two games of the set, enjoying a 16-8 edge on the scoreboard.

While the Diamondbacks continue to fend off the Los Angeles Dodgers (56-56), the Braves continue to spiral toward the NL East basement, losing eight of 11.

Yusmeiro Petit (1-2, 3.03 ERA) takes the mound for Arizona with hopes of providing it with another positive start from the fifth slot, which has been a revolving door. Petit, Max Scherzer, Micah Owings and Edgar Gonzalez have all made starts in trying to round out one of the most potent rotations in the major leagues.

Charlie Morton (2-5, 6.56) will counter for Atlanta, which has also had to shuffle its rotation thanks to a plethora of injuries.

However, the Braves may be getting one of their reinforcements back.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Wednesday that injured starter Tom Glavine threw four effective innings for Class A Myrtle Beach, his first minor-league appearance in 22 years.

In the report, Braves manager Bobby Cox said Glavine would make another rehab start Saturday for Class AA Mississippi "to build endurance." Provided that goes well, he would activated from the disabled list and rejoin the Braves' rotation next week.

Morton has lost three games in a row, but allowed two runs and four hits in seven impressive innings during a tough-luck loss against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.