Colorado @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2018 ) Colorado 6, Arizona 5

Once considered possible sellers at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the Colorado Rockies quickly have turned into serious buyers. The surging Rockies look to complete a sweep of their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday after winning each of the first two contests by one run.

Colorado extended its winning streak to seven games and moved past Arizona for second place in the National League West with Saturday’s 6-5 victory. Tom Murphy delivered a pinch-hit solo homer in the eighth inning and Ian Desmond extended his hitting streak to eight games as the Rockies pulled within one game of the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. Colorado rookie Garrett Hampson was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque before the game and started at second base in place of DJ LeMahieu, who will miss the next several weeks with a left oblique strain. Arizona fell to 6-10 this month and dropped one half-game behind Colorado despite a strong performance by Steven Souza Jr., who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (3-2, 5.34 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (10-5, 3.18)

Senzatela was placed on the disabled list with a blister on his right middle finger on July 13 but was cleared to return following a successful bullpen session on Thursday. The 23-year-old Venezuelan has posted a 7.20 ERA in seven games (one start) on the road this season compared to a 3.52 mark in five appearances (one start) at home. Senzatela owns a 9.00 ERA in five career games (one start) against Arizona, including a 3.00 mark in four relief appearances at Chase Field.

Greinke entered the All-Star break pitching as well as anyone in the majors, going 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA in his last five starts. The 34-year-old Floridian earned his fifth All-Star invitation after posting a stellar 124-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 121 2/3 innings. Trevor Story is 9-for-29 with five homers against Greinke, who is 10-5 with a 3.88 ERA in 27 career games (26 starts) versus Colorado - including a 2-0 record and 2.84 ERA in his last four meetings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado has won six consecutive series for the first time since 2014.

2. Arizona 2B Ketel Marte is batting .372 with four homers and 18 RBIs over his last 24 home games.

3. The Rockies designated INF Daniel Castro for assignment to make room for Hampson.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 2