D'backs still struggling on the road

The Arizona Diamondbacks' struggles on the road continue.

The Atlanta Braves beat the D'backs again Saturday. The Braves scored seven runs in the eighth inning and went on to demolish the Diamondbacks, 11-5. Arizona falls to 42-38.

The Diamondbacks will try to salvage the getaway game this morning (10:35 Tucson time) as they send Trevor Cahill (3-9, 4.29 ERA) to the mound to face the Braves (47-34), a team that has a 6 1/2 game lead over second-place Washington in the NL East.

As for the NL West, the Diamondbacks are the only team in the division above the .500 mark. The Colorado Rockies are two games back at  41-41, San Diego 2 1/2 back at 40-41 and the San Francisco Giants are four back at 38-42. The LA Dodgers, at 37-43, remain in last place.

The Diamondbacks reach the midway point of the regular season today. On the positive side, the D'backs are closer to full strength with the return of Aaron Hill, Eric Chavez and J,J. Putz. Can they make a run in the second half?  One thing is for sure, they need to distance themselves from the .500 mark.

The rest of the teams in the NL West are not going to sit back forever.