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Dodgers, Diamondbacks eye end of respective losing streaks

Aug 29, 2008 - 10:33 AM LA Dodgers (65-69) at Arizona (68-65) 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks are going through one of their worst spells of the season. Fortunately, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been worse.

The top teams in the National League West attempt to end a pair of long losing streaks on Friday when they meet at Chase Field.

Despite losing four straight and five of its last six, Arizona has gained 1 1/2 games in the standings on Los Angeles, which dropped its seventh consecutive contest on Thursday against league-worst Washington.

The Diamondbacks lead the division by 3 1/2 games over the Dodgers.

During their seven-game skid, Los Angeles' offense is averaging 1.7 runs while batting .244. The latest setback was the Dodgers' ninth straight on the road, the team's longest such losing streak away from home since dropping 11 in a row in June 1991.

To end their struggles, Los Angeles will turn to Hiroki Kuroda (7-9, 3.87 ERA), who has two wins to show for a 2.10 ERA in August, yielding one run in four of his five starts this month. The righthander left Sunday's 5-2 setback vs. the Phillies after six innings without a decision despite allowing a run and two hits.

The Diamondbacks will look to halt their own losing streak with Doug Davis (5-8, 4.63) . The lefthander allowed three runs and seven hits over seven frames on Sunday as Arizona fell 5-2 to Florida.