GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (30-23) at Arizona Diamondbacks (21-35).
TIME: Sunday, 4:35 p.m. EDT.
The surging Los Angeles Dodgers look to complete a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.
The Dodgers have won the first two games from the Diamondbacks, giving them a strong start to their nine-game trip. Los Angeles, which has won six of seven overall, posted a 10-3 win over Arizona on Saturday.
With the surge, the Dodgers have reclaimed the top spot in the NL West, which they had briefly lost to the San Diego Padres. Los Angeles holds a one-game lead over San Diego.
One of the main reasons for the Dodgers' recent success has been its bullpen, which has allowed just one run over 21 1-3 innings in the last seven games. Los Angeles relievers were solid again Saturday, throwing four scoreless innings.
The Diamondbacks are trying to avoid their fifth series sweep of the season. Arizona continues to struggle through a rough season, with losses in 12 of its last 17 games.
One bright spot for the Diamondbacks over the last two weeks has been the play of rookie Scott Hairston, who has been the starting second baseman since Matt Kata was injured in late May.
Hairston was 2-for-5 on Saturday to raise his batting average to .314. He has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games.
STANDINGS: Dodgers - 1st place, NL West. Diamondbacks - 5th place, 10 GB, NL West.
DODGERS PROBABLE STARTER: Jeff Weaver (3-7, 4.35 ERA). Weaver is coming off a rough outing against Milwaukee on Tuesday. The right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits over 6 2-3 innings of a 4-1 loss. Weaver has never faced the Diamondbacks.
DIAMONDBACKS PROBABLE STARTER: Steve Sparks (2-4, 6.59 ERA). Sparks is coming off a decent outing in Arizona's 6-5 win over San Francisco on Tuesday. The veteran knuckleballer did not receive a decision, allowing four runs and six hits over 6 1-3 innings. Sparks has struggled against the Dodgers during his career, going 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS: Dodgers - Paul Lo Duca, .365 avg.; Adrian Beltre, 12 HRs and 36 RBIs; Shawn Green, 32 runs; Dave Roberts, 18 SBs. Diamondbacks - Danny Bautista, .315 avg.; Steve Finley, 16 HRs and 7 SBs.; Luis Gonzalez, 33 RBIs and 42 runs.
SEASON SERIES: Dodgers, 4-1.
STREAKS AND NOTES: Dodgers - SS Cesar Izturis comes into the game with a 13-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 21 straight. Izturis had a 14-game hitting streak in April and is the only player with two streaks of at least 11 games this season. ... Manager Jim Tracy returned to the field Saturday after serving a one-game suspension Friday night. Bench coach Jim Riggleman managed Los Angeles to a 7-3 victory in the series opener. ... C Lo Duca has homered in three straight games. Diamondbacks - Arizona has lost four straight games to Los Angeles. ... The Diamondbacks designated INF Donnie Sadler for assignment and bought the contract of RHP Brandon Villafuerte from Tucson. Villafuerte pitched a perfect fifth inning Saturday. ... CF Steve Finley was rested on Saturday against Dodger LHP Odalis Perez. He will be back in the lineup Sunday.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Dodgers - 15-11 on the road; Diamondbacks - 11-17 at home.
INJURIES: Dodgers - RHP Hideo Nomo (finger), 15-day DL; RHP Paul Shuey (thumb), 15-day DL; C Todd Hundley (back), 60-day DL. Diamondbacks - INF Greg Colbrunn (wrist), 15-day DL; INF Matt Kata (shoulder), 15-day DL; 1B Richie Sexson (shoulder), 15-day DL; RHP Matt Mantei (shoulder), 15-day DL; RHP Oscar Villarreal (forearm), 15-day DL; RHP Brandon Lyon (elbow), 60-day DL; RHP Shane Reynolds (shoulder), 60-day DL; 2B Roberto Alomar (hand), 60-day DL.
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2463926
TIME: Sunday, 4:35 p.m. EDT.
The surging Los Angeles Dodgers look to complete a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.
The Dodgers have won the first two games from the Diamondbacks, giving them a strong start to their nine-game trip. Los Angeles, which has won six of seven overall, posted a 10-3 win over Arizona on Saturday.
With the surge, the Dodgers have reclaimed the top spot in the NL West, which they had briefly lost to the San Diego Padres. Los Angeles holds a one-game lead over San Diego.
One of the main reasons for the Dodgers' recent success has been its bullpen, which has allowed just one run over 21 1-3 innings in the last seven games. Los Angeles relievers were solid again Saturday, throwing four scoreless innings.
The Diamondbacks are trying to avoid their fifth series sweep of the season. Arizona continues to struggle through a rough season, with losses in 12 of its last 17 games.
One bright spot for the Diamondbacks over the last two weeks has been the play of rookie Scott Hairston, who has been the starting second baseman since Matt Kata was injured in late May.
Hairston was 2-for-5 on Saturday to raise his batting average to .314. He has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games.
STANDINGS: Dodgers - 1st place, NL West. Diamondbacks - 5th place, 10 GB, NL West.
DODGERS PROBABLE STARTER: Jeff Weaver (3-7, 4.35 ERA). Weaver is coming off a rough outing against Milwaukee on Tuesday. The right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits over 6 2-3 innings of a 4-1 loss. Weaver has never faced the Diamondbacks.
DIAMONDBACKS PROBABLE STARTER: Steve Sparks (2-4, 6.59 ERA). Sparks is coming off a decent outing in Arizona's 6-5 win over San Francisco on Tuesday. The veteran knuckleballer did not receive a decision, allowing four runs and six hits over 6 1-3 innings. Sparks has struggled against the Dodgers during his career, going 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS: Dodgers - Paul Lo Duca, .365 avg.; Adrian Beltre, 12 HRs and 36 RBIs; Shawn Green, 32 runs; Dave Roberts, 18 SBs. Diamondbacks - Danny Bautista, .315 avg.; Steve Finley, 16 HRs and 7 SBs.; Luis Gonzalez, 33 RBIs and 42 runs.
SEASON SERIES: Dodgers, 4-1.
STREAKS AND NOTES: Dodgers - SS Cesar Izturis comes into the game with a 13-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 21 straight. Izturis had a 14-game hitting streak in April and is the only player with two streaks of at least 11 games this season. ... Manager Jim Tracy returned to the field Saturday after serving a one-game suspension Friday night. Bench coach Jim Riggleman managed Los Angeles to a 7-3 victory in the series opener. ... C Lo Duca has homered in three straight games. Diamondbacks - Arizona has lost four straight games to Los Angeles. ... The Diamondbacks designated INF Donnie Sadler for assignment and bought the contract of RHP Brandon Villafuerte from Tucson. Villafuerte pitched a perfect fifth inning Saturday. ... CF Steve Finley was rested on Saturday against Dodger LHP Odalis Perez. He will be back in the lineup Sunday.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Dodgers - 15-11 on the road; Diamondbacks - 11-17 at home.
INJURIES: Dodgers - RHP Hideo Nomo (finger), 15-day DL; RHP Paul Shuey (thumb), 15-day DL; C Todd Hundley (back), 60-day DL. Diamondbacks - INF Greg Colbrunn (wrist), 15-day DL; INF Matt Kata (shoulder), 15-day DL; 1B Richie Sexson (shoulder), 15-day DL; RHP Matt Mantei (shoulder), 15-day DL; RHP Oscar Villarreal (forearm), 15-day DL; RHP Brandon Lyon (elbow), 60-day DL; RHP Shane Reynolds (shoulder), 60-day DL; 2B Roberto Alomar (hand), 60-day DL.
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2463926
