Arizona ends first half on positive note

The Diamondbacks were in danger of losing much of their confidence after being swept in three games at

home by the Padres and then losing the first game of a four-game series against the Dodgers.

It left them with a season-high, six-game losing streak and all kinds of questions as to what might

happen in the season's second half.

"We really haven't gone on a good extended streak," manager Kirk Gibson said. "We had a good June (but)

we didn't have a very good start for July. These are big games for us -- very, very big games for us."

The Diamondbacks responded with three straight wins over the depleted Dodgers to climb just four games

back of first-place Los Angeles and enter the All-Star break on a much-needed positive note.

"It's been a struggle, getting swept by the Padres, but to come in and win three out of four from the

Dodgers, it's very good," Gibson said after Sunday's 7-1 win. "It gives us good momentum, a good feel about

ourselves. We've endured a lot, (but we should) be in good shape going into the second half."

Arizona trailed the Giants by three games at the break last year, but went on to easily win the National

League West.

The closer the Diamondbacks stay in contention to possibly repeating as division champions or at least

remaining in the hunt for a wild-card spot, the more likely they are to be buyers before the trading

deadline.

General manager Kevin Towers has indicated he is open to pulling off a deal or two and Arizona could be

in the market for another starting pitcher, perhaps some more late-inning relief in the bullpen and,

possibly, a good-hitting third baseman.

Right fielder Justin Upton said he wouldn't be shocked if Towers makes any significant moves, but he

thinks the Diamondbacks have enough talent to make a push to the playoffs.

"I really do," he said. "We're going to take our bumps and bruises together and we're going to win

together."

If the Diamondbacks fall out of contention, don't be surprised if the team fields offers for Upton and

possibly, shortstop Stephen Drew. Towers said no one is untouchable and that he will be open-minded when

and if teams call.

The starting pitching has been up and down, but veteran left-hander Joe Saunders will return to the

rotation following the All-Star break and a one-game, minor-league tune-up after missing four starts with a

slight shoulder sprain.

There were some concerns about rookie right-hander Trevor Bauer, who struggled in his first two major-

league starts, but he rebounded with a brilliant effort Sunday against the Dodgers for his first win,

pitching six scoreless innings of two-hit ball with six strikeouts.

The offense, meanwhile, seems to be starting to get hot. At least four hitters are batting at or near

.300 and the power production has been escalating.

The Diamondbacks will need better second halves from the likes of Upton, center fielder Chris Young and

Drew, who only recently has returned after missing 11 months with a fractured right ankle.

Gibson will also have to make the right call on how often he can get sparkplug outfielder Gerardo Parra

in the lineup. He's been splitting time in center with Young and getting spot starts in left for Jason

Kubel.

Young is hitting .203 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs. Parra is .276 with six homers and 25 RBIs.

"I know he's going to play," Gibson said of Parra. "Can I lay it out and say he's going to play three

days and C.Y. is going to play two? I can't lay it out, you've just got to look ahead and see what your

matchups are, see how guys are swinging, playing. If he's playing better and makes us a better team, then

he'll play."