D'Backs, Rockies battle for NL West supremacy at Coors

The Colorado Rockies take aim at the National League West Division lead on Monday when they meet up with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field.

Arizona entered the day with a one-game cushion over the Rockies and Giants in the NL West standings.

However, the Rockies are coming off three straight wins against those same Giants. Colorado enjoyed a 25-11 scoring margin in the three victories.

On Sunday, Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzales each drove in a pair of runs to lead the way in a 5-0 victory. Starter Juan Nicasio pitched six scoreless innings and gave up only three hits.

Dexter Fowler has gone 9-for-15 during the team's three-game win streak.

The Diamondbacks saw their winning streak halted at four in a row after Sunday's 2-1 setback in Miami. It was the second straight game they were held to just one run. While there was not a whole lot of offense, Jason Kubel's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning maintained Arizona's status as the only team in baseball that has not been shutout this season. Didi Gregorius, who is hitting .354, went 3-for-4 in Sunday's loss.

The D-backs will send unbeaten Patrick Corbin to the mound, as the second-year lefty is 6-0 with a 1.52 ERA. Corbin blanked the Braves in seven innings his last time out. He walked five batters but also struck out five and gave up only three hits.

In each of his first eight starts, Corbin has thrown at least six innings and held the opposition to two or fewer runs. The D-backs have won all eight of his starts. Randy Johnson is the only other left-hander in team history to begin a season 6-0.

"I haven't looked at (the increased media attention) at all," Corbin said. "Our job is to go out there and we don't want to lose. That's what I've been trying to do every time I go out."

Jon Garland takes the hill for Colorado. Garland has pitched five innings and given up three runs on seven hits in each of his last three outings. However, he has lost his last two starts, including Wednesday's 6-3 setback to the Cubs.

"I don't want to come out of these games," said Garland. "It's not my choice. I'd like to keep going and see if I can continue to give the team a chance.

"It almost seems like I'm hurting the team rather than helping the team when I'm going five."

Arizona has won four of the seven meetings between these two teams this season.