Arizona @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2010 ) Arizona 2, Tampa Bay 1

The Arizona Diamondbacks have stumbled to a 4-6 record after the All-Star break, dropping 2½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. The Diamondbacks look to turn things around when they start a two-game interleague series at the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. Arizona’s offensive leader - Paul Goldschmidt - has one hit in his last 18 at-bats as it prepares to face the Rays, who have won 22 of their last 26.

The Rays held on to beat Boston 2-1 Monday night and finish an 8-2 road trip to take over first place in the American League East. Rookie Wil Myers leads the way for Tampa Bay, going 19-for-41 with four homers and 12 RBIs during his 10-game hitting streak. Rays home run and RBI leader Evan Longoria has also snapped out of a slump by hitting safely in the last 11 contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, SunSports (Tampa)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (3-7, 5.22 ERA) vs. Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (5-11, 4.92)

Kennedy has gone nine starts without a victory, but received only one run or fewer of support in four of them. The 28-year-old yielded six runs (two earned) in his last outing against the Chicago Cubs without getting a decision. James Loney is 6-for-13 with a homer against Kennedy, who has faced Tampa Bay once since 2008 and is 1-3 lifetime against the Rays with a 6.66 ERA.

Hernandez allowed three runs in each of his last five starts while attempting to hold onto the fifth spot in the rotation. The 32-year-old has not received good run support either, getting only three scored for him in his last three defeats. Hernandez has never faced Arizona, but former Minnesota Twins outfielder Jason Kubel is 14-for-38 against him with three homers and 11 RBIs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona RHP Brad Ziegler allowed only one unearned run in his last nine outings while converting five of five save opportunities.

2. Tampa Bay INF/OF Ben Zobrist has gone without an error in his last 61 games at second base.

3. The Diamondbacks took two of three games at Tampa Bay the last time the teams met in 2010.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 7, Rays 5