"That's a silver lining, but we have to start playing better," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said of his team's ability to remain in first place despite losing nine of their last 11 games.

The D-backs led the National League in runs the first two weeks of the season but have fallen into an offensive slump. They have 77 hits in their last 11 games, only 29 while losing the first four games of their current homestand against San Francisco and Washington. They have 97 strikeouts in those 11 games.

"It just feels like we are putting pressure on ourselves at the plate," Melvin said. "We're a little frustrated as a team. The longer this goes on, the more frustrated you get."

The D-backs had only two extra-base hits Friday, bases-empty home runs by Chad Tracy and Orlando Hudson. Tracy's homer was his first since joining the team Monday following a rehab assignment at Class AAA Tucson.

"It's starting to build up a little bit," Tracy said of a general frustration level. "It's good that it hurts. It should hurt. Losing should not be fun. Everybody should take it personally. Pressure should be good. You should want that pressure. You have to find a way."

NATIONALS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 4: The D-backs lost for the fourth consecutive home game, and for the ninth time in 11 games, while managing only two extra-base hits, bases-empty home runs by second baseman Orlando Hudson and third baseman/first baseman Chad Tracy. Right-hander Micah Owings was locked in a 3-3 tie before giving up a three-run home run to Willie Harris with one out in the seventh inning. Harris, who was hitting .161 at the time, had his second homer of the season.