=== Arizona Diamondbacks Team Report - June 15 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The injury-riddled Arizona Diamondbacks go for the series victory today as they take on the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins in the finale of a three-game set at the Metrodome.

The Diamondbacks enter the day in fourth place in the National League West, 10 games behind the front-running San Francisco Giants. What is of more concern for the D'Backs, though, is the health of their club.

Second baseman Junior Spivey was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a severely sprained left ankle, which he suffered in last night's 9-2 victory. The Diamondbacks also lost outfielder Danny Bautista to a mild hamstring strain on Saturday and he'll likely sit out today's game.

The Diamondbacks have other injury problems. Third baseman Shea Hillenbrand (rib cage) missed last night's game and is likely to not play today, either. Outfielder Steve Finley (hamstring) also has not been able to start recently. Star pitchers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling are on the disabled list.

Despite the injury woes, the Diamondbacks won last night in dominating fashion. Luis Gonzalez drove in four runs and Rod Barajas knocked in three. Alex Cintron added three hits and three runs scored in the victory, while Carlos Baerga contributed two hits, two runs scored and two runs batted in, as Arizona won for the fourth time in six games.

Elmer Dessens heads to the mound today for Arizona, which has struggled with Dessens on the hill. The Diamondbacks are 1-7 in his last eight starts. The righthander has posted a 1-2 record over that span, but Dessens is 1-0 over his last four outings, and has not received a decision in his last three appearances. He allowed three runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings on Tuesday in Kansas City.

Dessens is 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA in three career games, including one start, versus Minnesota. He last faced the Twins on July 8, 2001, dropping a 7-1 decision, as he allowed six runs on 12 hits over five innings at the Metrodome.