Colorado @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2012 ) Colorado 3, Arizona 6

The Arizona Diamondbacks are playing stellar baseball and seek their fifth straight victory when they host the Colorado Rockies in Tuesday’s second contest of the three-game series. The Diamondbacks beat Colorado 6-3 on Monday and have scored 52 runs over their last six games, winning five to reach the .500 mark. The Rockies have lost five of six games and continue to struggle in Arizona, where they have lost 17 of their last 22 games.

Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez hit his 20th homer of the season in the opener and is three shy of 100 for his career. Gonzalez has bashed 14 homers against Arizona pitching in 185 career at-bats. The Diamondbacks have won a season-high seven straight home games. Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt homered in the series opener for his first long ball since the All-Star break. He is batting .340 in 13 career games against the Rockies.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), Fox Sports Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Edwar Cabrera (0-1, 19.29 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Joe Saunders (4-6, 3.58)

Cabrera will be recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to start in place of Drew Pomeranz, who has been pushed back to Friday due to pain in his left biceps. Cabrera made one previous start this season and it didn’t go well, as he allowed seven runs (five earned) in 2 1/3 innings against the Washington Nationals. Cabrera gave up three homers in the contest.

Saunders is making his third start after a monthlong stint on the disabled list due to shoulder woes. He took a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds in his last outing, giving up three runs and four hits in six innings. Saunders lost to Colorado on June 4 when he gave up four runs (three earned) and 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings. He is 5-2 with a 3.42 ERA in eight career starts against the Rockies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies OF Dexter Fowler, who had two hits in the opener, is just 3-for-22 against Saunders.

2. Arizona 2B Aaron Hill was hitless in four at-bats in the opener to halt a 13-game hitting streak. Hill has a .378 career mark in 24 games against Colorado.

3. Colorado C Wilin Rosario (ankle) is expected back for Tuesday’s game.