Webb helps Diamondbacks snap 4-game losing streak

[August 11, 2008]  PHOENIX (AP) -- Brandon Webb threw six strong innings for his major league-leading 17th win and also hit a two-run double to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 6-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

Chris Snyder homered for the Diamondbacks, who snapped a four-game losing streak to remain in first place in the NL West.

Omar Infante drove in the lone run on a sixth-inning sacrifice fly for the Braves, who fell one game short of their first four-game sweep of Arizona since 2004.

Webb (17-4) was effective if not sharp, allowing one run and six hits over six innings with two walks and five strikeouts and throwing 62 of 96 pitches for strikes. It was his shortest outing since putting together three straight six-inning starts June 28 through July 8.

The right-hander also helped his cause at the plate and in the field.

With Arizona leading 4-0 with two outs in the fourth inning and Jamie D'Antona standing on second, Atlanta starter Mike Hampton intentionally walked Chris Burke to get to Webb. But the right-hander lined a double over the outstretched glove of Jeff Francouer in center, scoring D'Antona and Burke to put the Diamondbacks ahead 6-0.

After loading the bases twice in the sixth and surrendering Infante's sacrifice fly, Webb escaped by fielding Francouer's grounder and starting an inning-ending double play.

Hampton (1-1) retired Stephen Drew to end the inning but his day was done. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out three over four innings, matching his shortest start since coming off the disabled list July 26.

Mark Reynolds gave Arizona a 2-0 lead in the first when he hit a two-run double into the left-field corner. Reynolds then scored on Chris Young's groundout to first.

Snyder made it 4-0 when he led off the second with his 10th home run, his first since July 30.

Notes: Reynolds struck out in the fifth inning, his franchise-record 146th of the season. Troy Glaus held the previous record of 145, set in 2005. ... Drew singled in the first to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, matching his career high. ... Diamondbacks 2B Orlando Hudson will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery late Saturday night to repair a dislocated bone in his left wrist. Hudson injured his wrist on a wild play during the sixth inning of the Braves' 11-4 win on Saturday. ... Before the game, the Diamondbacks placed Hudson on the 15-day disabled list and selected outfielder Jeff Salazar from Triple-A Tucson. ... Arizona also transferred Edgar Gonzalez to the 60-day disabled list from the 15-day DL. ... Diamondbacks LHP Doug Slaten likely will be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday before Arizona plays Colorado. ... Arizona RF Justin Upton will begin a rehab assignment in Tucson on Monday. Upton has been out since June 9 with a strained left oblique muscle.

[Associated Press]

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