--OF Justin Upton's game-winning home run in the eighth inning of a 2-1 victory over Oakland was his first homer since May 31 and his first RBI in June. He had been 3-for-36 with 18 strikeouts before getting the day off Wednesday. "It has been pretty tough, but in the end, it's a game where you're going to fail a lot, and it's something you have to live with. But to play the way I did today, hopefully it turns things around," Upton said.
--1B Conor Jackson and OF Justin Upton have hit second in the lineup in three of the last four games -- Upton was there for his game-winning homer Thursday -- as the Diamondbacks attempt to get players with higher on-base percentages near the top of the order. Jackson leads the regulars with a .395 on-base percentage, and Upton is second at .369. --LHP Doug Davis made his second consecutive strong start without receiving a decision when giving up only one run and three hits in six innings against Oakland. Davis struck out a season-high eight, bettering by one his strikeout total when he pitched seven shutout innings in a 1-0, 10-inning victory over Kansas City on June 13. Davis is 6-1 against the A's, with more victories against only one major league team.
--OF Eric Byrnes, out since late May with sore hamstrings, began a rehab assignment Thursday with Class A Visalia. He went 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout.
--With their offense slumping, the Diamondbacks have attempted to ignite their running game recently, with mixed results. 1B Conor Jackson stole second base in the second inning Tuesday, but the team was 0-for-3 in attempting to take second Thursday, Upton being thrown out in the first inning, 3B Mark Reynolds getting picked off first base after breaking for second in the sixth inning and Jackson getting caught at second on a strikeout-throwout double play in the eighth.
--The Diamondbacks begin their second three-stop trip of June with an interleague series against Minnesota on Friday before going to Boston and Florida. They were 4-6 on their June 2-12 trip to Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and the Mets, somewhat salvaging the trip by taking two of three in New York. They are 6-14 on the road since being swept by the Cubs in Wrigley Field on May 9-11.
--The Diamondbacks have led the NL West for 67 consecutive games, one short of the team record set from July 16-Sept. 29, 2002, and are certain to break it with their 4 1/2-game lead over the second-place Dodgers.
BY THE NUMBERS: 25 -? Consecutive scoreless innings for RHP Brandon Lyon before the streak ended June 17.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I try to look at it as, we're pretty lucky to be where we are. I try to look at it as the glass is half full." -- D-backs manager Bob Melvin, whose team added two games to its NL West lead despite winning 15 of its last 35 games through June 15.
