Diamondbacks at Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are in the midst of a pronounced run and could finish with the best record in July since the 1941 New York Yankees, who posted a 25-4 mark. Jeremy Hellickson goes to the mound in Wednesday's finale of a two-game interleague set against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks as the Rays try to end the month with a 22-4 record. Hellickson is the only one of five Rays starting pitchers without a complete game this month after Roberto Hernandez went the distance in the 5-2 victory Tuesday.
Paul Goldschmidt, who leads the National League with 85 RBIs, went 0-for-4 in the opener and has only one hit in 21 at-bats over the last five games for the Diamondbacks. Arizona has scored five runs en route to dropping three straight - and is 4-7 since the All-Star break. Wade Miley gets the nod against the Rays, who are a major league-best 23-11 in games started by a left-hander.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, SunSports (Tampa)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (7-8, 3.86 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jeremy Hellickson (10-3, 4.48)
Miley has turned things around in July, allowing two runs or fewer in four of five starts while winning three of four decisions. The 26-year-old, who has a 1.89 ERA this month, yielded one run over 7 2/3 innings to beat the Chicago Cubs in his last outing. James Loney (1-for-5) is the only Tampa Bay player to bat against Miley, who is 27-21 overall in three seasons.
Hellickson won his sixth straight decision Friday against the New York Yankees, giving up one run over six innings. The 26-year-old is 8-1 with a 3.17 ERA in 10 starts since June 1, allowing only four homers while striking out 50 against 12 walks over 59 2/3 innings. Hellickson has never faced the Diamondbacks, but Jason Kubel is 4-for-8 with a pair of homers against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rays are a majors-best 10-1 in interleague games while Arizona is 3-4.
2. Diamondbacks 2B Aaron Hill, who had two hits Tuesday, is 19-for-44 in his last 12 interleague games.
3. Tampa Bay rookie RF Wil Myers is riding a career-best 11-game hitting streak.