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Hinch thinks D-backs are ready to take off

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By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

06/14/09 1:41 AM ET

PHOENIX -- D-backs manager A.J. Hinch can envision a winning streak on the horizon.

Even in defeat.

"We have a run in us. We can catch fire," Hinch said. "When we are getting good pitching and good hitting, our bullpen can be rested a little bit. I thought we have played well enough in the last couple of weeks to have won more games."

Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Astros snapped a two-game winning streak for the D-backs, the first time the team has won two in a row since winning four consecutive games from May 20-23.

But the club's recent efforts on the mound and on offense have given Hinch reasons for optimism. On Friday, Dan Haren threw a two-hitter in an 8-2 victory against the Astros. One day later, Jon Garland was effective for seven innings in the loss.

"If we [pitch] and we are able to squeak through some wins, you win 10 of 12 or 12 of 14 -- I certainly believe we can do that," Hinch said. "We have the makeup of a team to do that. But the hard thing about looking at it that way is you have to play one game at a time. As much as of a cliché as it sounds, you can't sweep a series until you win Game 1 and then Game 2 and then go on."

A winning streak will not come easy. Following the conclusion of the series against the Astros, the D-backs have a day off Monday before starting a 12-game stretch against the Royals, Rangers, Mariners and Angels in Interleague Play.

"All those streaks are generally around starting pitching and getting leads and putting teams away," Hinch said. "We've shown flashes of that but we haven't been able to put it together a week at a time, but we have the makeup to do it."

If the D-backs do get on a roll, they'll have to do it without ace Brandon Webb because he is not coming back anytime soon. Webb, who is on the 60-day disabled list with a shoulder injury, played catch Saturday and will play catch again Sunday.

"Brandon Webb makes for good managers and good pitching coaches and good winning streaks," Hinch said. "When we get him back, it will be a big lift for our team and certainly give us an advantage every five days."

Pitching matchup
ARI: RHP Billy Buckner (2-2, 6.75 ERA)
Buckner will be the first to admit that he didn't have his best stuff and that he struggled with his execution his last time on the mound. Against the Giants, he was charged with eight runs and 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings for the loss. After an efficient start, he struggled in the middle innings and was doomed when the Giants had consecutive three-run innings in the fifth and sixth. His mettle was tested after giving up a 433-foot home run to Pedro Sandoval. Buckner has never faced the Astros.

HOU: RHP Brian Moehler (2-4, 6.95 ERA)
For the second time this season, Moehler didn't make it past the third inning against Chicago. Moehler gave up five runs on eight hits and was taken out after the third against the Cubs in his last start. In his first start of the season, the 37-year-old gave up seven runs on eight hits and was taken out after just 1 1/3 innings on April 8 versus Chicago. In his career, Moelher is 1-1 with a 5.82 ERA over four starts vs. the D-backs.

Tidbits
The D-backs signed infielder Matt Davidson, one of three sandwich picks selected in this year's First-Year Player Draft. Davidson will report to extended spring training in Tucson, Ariz., and eventually Class A Yakima. Davidson had committed to USC. ... Mark Reynolds leads the team with 13 multi-RBI games. ... Chris Young has reached base safely in nine of his past 11 games and is hitting .389 during that stretch. ... Gerardo Parra has hit safely in 12 of his past 17 games and is hitting .308 during that stretch.

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• FS-A

On radio
• KTAR 620, KSUN 1400 (Español)

Up next
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: D-backs (Doug Davis, 3-7, 3.65) at Royals (Gil Meche, 3-5, 3.70), 5:10 p.m. MST
• Wednesday: D-backs (Max Scherzer, 3-4, 3.63) at Royals (Zack Greinke, 8-2, 1.72), 5:10 p.m. MST

Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.