SAN DIEGO — The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned right-hander and Gainesville High graduate Micah Owings to Triple-A Tucson on Tuesday, one day after he extended his winless streak to eight starts.

Owings, who was hit hard in the Diamondbacks’ 8-5 loss to San Diego on Monday, is 6-9 with a 5.93 ERA in 22 games, including 18 starts. Owings extended his winless streak to 12 games, including the eight starts, when he lasted only three innings, allowing eight runs and six hits.

"It came pretty evident to me that we have to clear things up with Micah," manager Bob Melvin said. "He was a big piece of us last year. I think he’s going to be a key component for us going forward this year."

Owings, one of the better hitting pitchers in baseball, was 8-8 with a 4.30 ERA in 29 games, including 27 starts, last season when Arizona won the NL West.

During his winless streak, Owings is 0-7 with a 9.21 ERA. On Monday, he was making his second start since June 27, having made four relief appearances after straining his gluteus muscle.

Right-hander Jailen Peguero was recalled from Tucson. Peguero was 5-4 with a 4.42 ERA with four saves in 41 relief appearances for Tucson.