=== Arizona Diamondbacks Team Report - July 24 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The Arizona Diamondbacks try to avoid falling further behind the San Francisco Giants in the National League West this evening, as they wrap up their four-game set at Pac Bell Park.

On Tuesday, the D-Backs dropped 10 games behind the Giants, finding themselves on the wrong end of a 7-1 decision. Luis Gonzalez had two hits and an RBI for the Diamondbacks, who have dropped a season-high five straight games.

Arizona also fell three games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the race for the NL wild card. Philly defeated the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

The D-Backs have never been swept in a four-game set against the Giants in the Bay Area, but did lose four in a row to them at Bank One Ballpark from July 26-29 2001.

Miguel Batista (7-5) was dealt the loss and allowed two runs -- both unearned -- in five innings. He yielded three hits, while striking out five and walking none.

Rookie righthander Brandon Webb gets the call for the Diamondbacks, as he tries to bounce back form his first loss in seven starts in his last outing. Against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, Webb surrendered two runs on four hits over six innings, but found himself on the wrong end of a 2-0 decision.

The 24-year-old hurler, who has struck out 25 batters in his last 19 frames, fell to 7-3 on the season and raised his ERA to 2.45.

Webb defeated the Giants in his last start before the All-Star break, holding them to four runs on six hits in six innings.

Arizona has dropped nine of its 11 matchups against San Francisco this season, including all five contests in the Bay Area.

The D-Backs are 26-26 away from home on the year.