The Diamondbacks used a big third inning to pull away from the short-handed Rockies on Saturday. They could use another strong offensive showing in Sunday's series finale in Colorado considering starter Patrick Corbin's recent struggles, though he has excelled against the Rockies.
Arizona (78-76) bounced back from Friday's 9-4 defeat with a 7-2 victory on Saturday, using a four-run third inning to hand Colorado (71-85) its sixth loss in eight meetings.
Matt Davidson connected for a three-run homer in the third, with Chris Owings later contributing an RBI single after Gerardo Parra's double. Paul Goldschmidt singled in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to 11 games; he's batting .477 with 15 RBIs during that span.
"It's fun hitting, and it's definitely contagious," Davidson said.
The Rockies were missing stalwarts Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki and Wilin Rosario. Tulowitzki received a routine day of rest, while Cuddyer -- suffering from a right wrist injury suffered on a catch in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals -- hopes to return Sunday. Both Tulowitzki and Cuddyer are 2 for 8 against Corbin.
Corbin (14-7, 3.17 ERA) is 1-4 over his last five outings with a 7.76 ERA. He was pulled from Tuesday's start after two-plus innings -- the shortest start of his career -- in which he allowed six runs and seven hits in a 9-3 loss to the Dodgers.
The left-hander, 2-6 over his last 10 games after a 12-1 start, has logged 199 innings after throwing 107 as a rookie last year. The team considered ending Corbin's season early for fear of a strain on his arm but decided against it.
"He's excited to have his last two starts, he wants to have his two starts," manager Kirk Gibson told the team's official website. "He's not thinking, 'You know, I can just tell him I'm dragging and get out of here and chill out.' No, he wants it."
It's easy to see why the D-backs would at least want Corbin for Sunday, as he's been successful against the Rockies. He's 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA over the last four matchups, earning victories in all three meetings this season.
Colorado starter Juan Nicasio (8-8, 4.98) also is coming off a forgettable performance. He matched a career worst by giving up eight runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings of an 11-4 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday.
He's compiled an 0-2 record and 8.00 ERA over his last four starts while requiring an average of 20.1 pitches per inning.
"The problem is I've had to throw my fastball more because I'm behind in the count," Nicasio said. "You see what happens when you get behind in the count."
The Rockies' Jordan Pacheco is 7 for 15 off Corbin with four RBIs. Charlie Blackmon went 3 for 5 Saturday to improve his average to .500 (17 for 34) during a seven-game hitting streak.
