Diamondbacks 8, Pirates 0

Thursday, September 27th 2007, 3:27 pm

By: News On 6

PITTSBURGH (AP) _ Micah Owings scattered four hits over six and a-third innings and went 4-for-4 with three doubles and three RBIs as the Arizona Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak with an 8-zip win in Pittsburgh.

Owings was a last-minute replacement for Brandon Webb, who was pushed back a day after manager Bob Melvin got an unfavorable weather forecast. He didn't want his ace involved in a game that might be affected by delays.

Shortstop Stephen Drew homered and collected three RBIs.

Owings evens his record at 8-and-8, while D-backs starter John Van Benschoten, who lasted just two innings, drops to 0-and-7

The Diamondbacks assured themselves of holding at least a one-game division lead when they open a three-game series tomorrow at Colorado with Webb on the mound. Arizona began the day one game ahead of San Diego, which plays at Milwaukee Thursday night, and two in front of Colorado, which is at Los Angeles.