Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Dodgers	1	0	0	2	1	0	2	0	0	6	9	2
Diamondbacks	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	4	11	1

Game Recap

PHOENIX -- Sometimes it's not so much what happens, but rather when it happens that determines the outcome of a ballgame.

That was the case for the D-backs on Tuesday night as they were on the short end of a somewhat sloppy game with the Dodgers, 6-4, thanks to some late problems in front of 25,735 at Chase Field.

The key sequence came in the seventh inning of a 4-4 ballgame. Releiver Tony Pena (0-1) hit Wilson Valdez on the hand. One batter later, Juan Pierre tripled to right field, and Alberto Callaspo's relay throw got by third baseman Chad Tracy and also Pena, who was backing up the play, allowing Pierre to score for the final margin.

The Dodgers made two errors themselves, but the D-backs could not capitalize.

"We both kicked it around a bit," manager Bob Melvin said. "Ours came later in the game when it meant more. Quite often when you make a mistake late in the game it costs you, especially against a good team."

The D-backs certainly had their chances. They outhit the Dodgers 11-9, and drew two more walks, but again, when it happened was the issue.

Arizona hitters were just 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position in this abbreviated two-game series, and left nine men on base on Tuesday night. For the season, they are hitting just .250 (29-for-116) in those situations.

"They executed better than we did," said Melvin. "We didn't get guys over and get them in and they did."

By contrast, the Dodgers were 6-for-19 with runners in scoring position over the past two games.

Though he was disappointed about the outcome on this particular night, Melvin remained upbeat about his young lineup.

"These guys are going to hit," said the manager.

Micah Owings started the game for Arizona and scuffled a little bit in allowing three runs in four innings. He left with the lead after suffering a strained hamstring going from first to third on the bases in the bottom of the fourth.

"I think it was shortly after rounding second," said Owings. "It just locked up on me. I didn't really feel it pop. If it had popped there would've been some damage. It just cramped up on me, and I thought I was going to be able to stretch it out right there. But I wasn't able to, unfortunately."

The good news is that Owings may be able to make his next start. The team will know more after he throws his regular bullpen session in a few days.

"There's a fairly decent chance he can still make it," said Melvin.

Owings actually helped his own cause with the bat in this one, as he drove in two of the team's runs with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single -- his first Major League hit. This isn't surprising, as Owings hit a combined .382 (21-for-55) between Double-A and Triple-A last year.

But Owings was in no mood to discuss that or his short time on the hill.

I can't stand losing," said the rookie hurler. "It's hard to think about anything else right now. I threw four innings and I'm out. I felt OK. I think I've been better. I've got to continue to work and get back on track."

Dodgers starter Brett Tomko allowed four runs -- two earned -- in five innings of work and left with the score tied. He gave way to Chad Billingsley, who worked two scoreless innings to pick up the victory. Takashi Saito worked the ninth for his sixth save.

The D-backs had the tying run at the plate in the ninth, as Orlando Hudson -- who has reached base via hit or walk in every game this season -- hit a one-out double. However, Saito made a great stab of a Tracy liner back to the mound and threw to second to double off Hudson to end it.

The D-backs have now lost four of their past six after a six-game winning streak.

Game Notes

D-backs starters have thrown at least five innings in every game this season, compiling a 3.61 ERA overall. ... The D-backs are a perfect 5-0 when leading after seven innings, and 8-0 when leading after eight ... They are also 7-1 when they score more than three runs.