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Phillies-Diamondbacks Preview

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PHOENIX -- A day after losing ace Zack Greinke and another home series, the Diamondbacks cannot wait to turn the page.

Philadelphia can play the final game of a three-game series in Arizona with the knowledge that it does not have to win the game to win the series.

The Phillies won their first series since taking two of three from Miami on May 16-18 by winning the first two games in Arizona, a near-360 from the Diamondbacks' four-game sweep at Citizens Bank Park from June 17-20.

Greinke won his eighth straight start in the first game of that set. The D-backs can only hope the tight left oblique muscle that caused Greinke to leave after two innings in the Phillies' 4-3 victory on Tuesday is nothing serious. There was no indication of the extent of the injury after that game.

"Something that maybe he can miss a start, possibly not miss a start, possibly at the worst maybe 15 days on the DL," manager Chip Hale said. "You never know. But if you go out and really yank it bad, you are talking about a month or two. We'll hope for best-case scenario."

Greinke is the second D-backs' starter to leave in as many games, after left-hander Robbie Ray was removed in the seventh inning of the Phillies' 8-0 victory on Monday with a blood blister on his left middle finger. Ray is not expected to miss his next scheduled start Sunday.

Arizona right-hander Archie Bradley will oppose right-hander Zach Eflin, the second straight return match from the first series. Bradley had one of his best starts of the season in a 5-1 victory, giving up three hits and one unearned run in six innings. Eflin almost matched him, giving up four hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings.

The D-backs are 13-27 at home, and only Atlanta has fewer victories. They entered the homestand of a 7-3 road trip, but the momentum gained has diffused with the loss of two games and possible Greinke.

The D-backs have won three of their 12 home series, taking two of three from the Yankees, San Diego and Miami.

Greinke, who is 10-3 and has won his last seven decisions, is scheduled to start again Monday, but that seems unlikely. He felt the oblique injury on his first warmup pitch before the third inning, and did not feel much better after a quick trip to the dugout to apply a heating salve. He pinpointed a second-inning sacrifice fly as the probable cause, and said he believed Hale made the right decision in removing him when he did.

"At the time, I didn't know if it was a good idea or not to do what we did, but afterwards it was probably the right move," Greinke said. "I more than likely would have hurt myself more staying in."

Arizona closer Brad Ziegler has turned human in the last week after running off a streak of 43 consecutive saves, a franchise record and the seventh longest in major league history. He failed to convert his second save opportunity in his last three tries Tuesday, giving up three hits and two walks when the Phillies scored twice. Ziegler walked Ryan Howard on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded to force in the deciding run.

"When you pitch to contact a lot, occasionally that is going to happen," said Ziegler, who gave up two singles to right field that were just out of second baseman Jean Segura's reach. "It sucks that it happens several times in one game. They got enough of the barrel on it do just enough damage."