D-backs face Pirates playing up to 'expectation'

(Photo credit: Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)

The Arizona Diamondbacks would like to see their scintillating play in July carry over into August when they open a three-game series against the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

Winners in 17 of 25 games last month, the Diamondbacks closed July with a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals to move a season-high seven games over .500. Arizona went into