(Sports Network) - The Arizona Diamondbacks haven't been short on runs during
this four-game series against the Colorado Rockies and will shoot for a sweep
this evening at Coors Field.
The Diamondbacks took the opener of this set, 15-5, on Friday, then squeezed
out an 8-7 win Saturday, before winning the series with Sunday's 10-7 victory.
Now they're aiming for the first four-game sweep in Colorado since April
11-14, 2002.
Aaron Hill went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and two RBI, while Wil
Nieves recorded four hits, drove in a run and scored for the D-backs, who have
won six of their last seven games and sit 4 1/2 games off the final wild card
spot in the National League with 10 to play.
"Aaron's just been so steady," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. "It's good to
have him in the two-hole. I did have a lineup today where I was going to put
him down fifth, but he's been so clutch for us that you want him to get that
extra at-bat."
Ian Kennedy started for Arizona and did not record a decision after giving up
four runs and nine hits in six innings. Matt Albers picked up the win with a
scoreless seventh inning and J.J. Putz got the final out of the game for his
32nd save of the season.
Arizona third baseman Chris Johnson was hit in the left hand during the second
inning and X-rays were negative. Johnson could miss tonight's series finale
for the D-backs, who will visit San Francisco for three games on this trip.
Trevor Cahill looks to keep the Diamondbacks in the playoff race when he takes
the mound Monday. Cahill has won three straight starts and Arizona is unbeaten
the past four times he takes the hill. In Wednesday's 6-2 win over San Diego,
Cahill limited the Padres to two runs in six innings and improved to 12-11
with a 3.89 earned run average in 30 starts.
Cahill is 1-1 in three meetings with the Rockies this season and 1-2 with a
6.35 ERA in four career starts against them.
Colorado has been in a major funk with nine straight losses and 16 in the past
18 contests. It is one loss away from matching the worst finish in the 20-
season history (67-95 in 1993 and 2005).
Jeff Francis allowed two runs in four innings in Sunday's loss and Matt
Belisle was handed the defeat for giving up three runs in an inning of relief.
Wilin Rosario and DJ LeMahieu had three hits apiece for the Rockies, who
haven't dropped 10 in a row since April 24-May 7, 2005.
"It's another great effort. Unfortunately in the eighth inning we did not get
the people out that we needed to get out," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said.
Rosario has recorded three hits in four straight games and is batting .274
with 26 homers and 69 RBI this season.
The Rockies, who have never lost 100 games in a season, hope Tyler Chatwood
can stem the tide when he takes the mound Monday. Chatwood is 0-2 in his last
four starts and previously took the hill in Wednesday's 7-1 loss at San
Francisco. He was reached for three runs and eight hits in four innings.
Chatwood, a right-hander, got the win in relief against the Diamondbacks back
on April 14 in an 8-7 win by tossing two innings of one-run ball. That was his
only appearance in this series.
Arizona has beaten Colorado nine times in 14 meetings this season.
The Sports Network