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The Arizona Diamondbacks sent starting pitcher Micah Owings to Tucson to regain his form in the final month of the Triple-A season.

Owings struggled at times with his command Friday, but drew positives from his second outing since the D-backs optioned him. The right-hander allowed two runs, struck out three and walked three in five innings in Tucson's 4-3 loss to Tacoma.

He also hit three batters, allowed four hits and threw 91 pitches.

"I thought he competed well and battled through some adversity during his outing," said D-backs farm director A.J. Hinch. "His arm strength was good. Overall, it was a positive outing in which he has some things to build on."

Owings said he felt stronger as the game went on, and his best inning was his last, albeit he allowed Matt Tuiasosopo's solo home run on a slider that gave Tacoma a 2-0 lead.

Since the D-backs optioned him on July 29, Owings has been keeping his mechanics simple after trying to do "too much of this, that and the other" for the past month or so.

"I respect what the organization had to do," said Owings, 25, who has posted a 6-9 record and 5.93 ERA in his second big- league season.

"Obviously, a little disappointing, probably more that I wasn't getting the job done and it came to that. You can't hang your head too long. You've got to keep working."

Asked if he was surprised to be sent to Tucson, Owings paused.

"I don't think I can answer that one," he said. "Surprised or not, it is what it is and I've got to do the best while I'm here to get back up there and help this team the most I can while I'm here."

Owings loaded the bases in both the first and second innings but escaped major trouble. In the first, he allowed a walk and a single and then hit a batter with two outs. A run scored on a single, but a runner also was thrown out at the plate.

In the second, Owings loaded the bases with two two-out walks and another hit batter but got out of the inning with a lineout.

To his credit, Owings joined the Sidewinders with the right mind-set, pitching coach Mike Parrott said.

"Some guys come down with a very bad attitude and it makes it that much harder to get on track," Parrott said. "Some guys come down with his attitude and that's with a mission — 'I'm going to get back up to the big leagues as quickly as possible.' "

In his Aug. 2 start at New Orleans, Owings allowed three runs and two home runs in six innings. Parrott said Owings didn't look as sharp Friday.

"Location was a little bit of a step back for him, but he also did some things well he always does well and he needs to continue to do — compete and make big pitches," Parrott said.

Tacoma rallied with a two-run double in the eighth off Connor Robertson. The Rainiers have won 10 in a row.

● Josh Whitesell extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a leadoff single in the seventh inning. He hit .426 with 27 RBIs in 27 games in July.

● With both teams using designated hitters, Owings, the 2007 Silver Slugger winner, did not hit.

● Tacoma's Craig Wilson was ejected in the eighth after arguing a called strikeout.