Chicago @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2010 ) Chi. Cubs 9, Arizona 4
Carlos Silva just needs a little run support these days. The Chicago Cubs are facing just the opponent to give it to him.
Silva takes the mound on Tuesday as the Cubs continue their three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Cubs took the first game of the set, 9-4, on Monday despite Chicago pitchers allowing nine walks - including six by starter and winning pitcher Tom Gorzelanny. The Cubs overcame their pitching staff's wildness by once again racking up the runs against the Diamondbacks.
Chicago has won four straight against Arizona this season and scored 37 runs in the process. The Cubs have blasted 10 homers in the four wins, including long balls from Kosuke Fukudome and Alfonso Soriano on Monday.
Silva (8-2, 2.96 ERA) is looking to get back on track after rolling to start the season.
Despite giving up three runs or less in each of his last four starts, Silva is 0-2 with two no-decisions during that span.
In his last outing, Silva scattered 11 hits and gave up two runs in 7 2/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds. Silva did not get a decision in a 3-2 loss. He has also given up more than three runs twice this season, both in May, but the Cubs won both games.
Lately, the Cubs have had trouble scoring for Silva, having pushed across 11 runs in his last four starts - and six of those runs came in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 18.
Arizona counters with Barry Enright, who will be making his second big league start.
Enright (1-0, 1.80 ERA) allowed a run and four hits over five innings in his major league debut, a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.
Enright was filling in for Edwin Jackson in his debut and is taking the place of Dontrelle Willis, who was designated for assignment Sunday. Arizona has 10 days to trade or release Willis, or he could accept a minor league assignment.
Drafted by Arizona in the second round out of Pepperdine in 2007, Enright was 4-1 with a 2.88 ERA with DOuble-A Mobile before being called up to face the Cardinals.
Both teams are 4-6 in their last 10, but the Cubs are 8-2 this season against the NL West.
Arizona has lost three straight and it looks like Kirk Gibson is going to have his work cut out for him if he is going to make any difference for the Diamondbacks this season.