Baseball: Arizona's Webb stifles Philly, wins eighth straight start

| The Associated Press

5/8/2008 - 5/9/08

PHOENIX — Brandon Webb became the first pitcher to win his first eight starts in three years, tossing his 13th career complete game to help the Diamondbacks beat Philadelphia 8-3 on Thursday.

The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner struck out four and didn't walk a batter in his first complete game of the year. He hit one batter.

Webb (8-0) became the first pitcher to win his first eight starts since Jon Garland of the Chicago White Sox in 2005.

Webb stifled the Phillies on three hits through eight innings before allowing two runs and three hits in the ninth. Philadelphia's first-inning run was unearned.

Chris Young hit a two-run drive, his second homer in as many games, and Chris Snyder had a two-run double for the Diamondbacks, who split a four-game series with Philadelphia to finish their longest homestand of the season 5-5. Justin Upton added a solo home run for Arizona.

Brett Myers (2-3) allowed seven runs, six earned, and nine hits in five innings for Philadelphia.

Nationals 8, Astros 3

In Houston, Willie Harris and Rob Mackowiak homered and Washington ended the Astros' five-game winning streak.

John Lannan (3-3) allowed seven hits in six innings.

Austin Kearns had a two-run single off Brandon Backe (2-4) as the Nationals won for the third time in their last 15 road games.

Rockies 9, Cardinals 3

In Denver, Matt Holliday had four singles, Jorge De La Rosa scattered five hits over 52/3 innings and Colorado beat St. Louis to salvage a split in their four-game series.

Omar Quintanilla added a career-high three hits and Garrett Atkins finished 2-for-3 with a double, triple and two RBIs for the Rockies.

Kyle Lohse (3-2) struggled for a second straight outing, allowing seven runs and eight hits in four innings for St. Louis.

Braves 5, Padres 4

In Atlanta, the Braves finally won a one-run game when Matt Diaz hit a bases-loaded single in the ninth inning.

Atlanta was the first team since the 2000 Houston Astros to lose its first nine one-run games. The Braves were the only team in the major leagues without a one-run victory.

The Padres, who lost their fourth straight, committed three errors that led to four unearned runs. Joe Thatcher (0-4) was charged with the loss.

Marlins 7, Brewers 2

In Miami, Matt Treanor achieved a career high in RBIs with one swing, hitting a three-run homer to help Florida complete a three-game sweep.

Jorge Cantu also homered for the first-place Marlins, who won their fourth game in a row and matched their best start after 34 games (20-14).

The Brewers lost their sixth game in a row, their longest losing streak this year. They finished 1-5 in the season series against Florida, scoring a total of 10 runs.

Logan Kensing (1-0) retired all eight batters he faced, striking out four, to earn the win.

Carlos Villanueva (1-4) allowed seven runs in five innings to remain winless since his first start of the season April 4. His ERA rose to 6.46.

Pirates 5, Giants 4

In Pittsburgh, Adam LaRoche hit a go-ahead single in a three-run seventh inning, and the Pirates rallied to complete a three-game sweep.

Pittsburgh has won 13 of its last 15 games against San Francisco and swept three-game series from the Giants in three straight seasons, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. San Francisco has lost four in a row overall.

Freddy Sanchez and Jason Bay had three hits apiece for the Pirates. Franquelis Osoria (2-1) pitched a one-hit seventh, John Grabow and Tyler Yates combined on a one-hit eighth and Matt Capps finished for his eighth save in as many chances.

Matt Cain (1-3) allowed five runs and nine hits in 61/3 innings for the Giants.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 5, Tigers 1

In Detroit, Josh Beckett had eight strikeouts, including the 1,000th of his career and Kevin Youkilis hit another home run to lead Boston.

Beckett (4-2) gave up six hits and a run in seven innings and Youkilis hit his third home run in two games, giving him eight in Detroit.

The Red Sox took three of four in the series from the Tigers and have won six of their past seven, while Detroit has lost six of seven.

Justin Verlander (1-6) gave up five runs on nine hits in six innings.

Yankees 6, Indians 3

In New York, Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano and Wilson Betemit homered for the Yankees.

Mike Mussina (5-3) won his fourth straight start and earned his 255th career victory, holding on for five innings. Joba Chamberlain pitched an easy eighth and Mariano Rivera closed for his ninth save.

Orioles 4, Royals 1

In Kansas City, Mo., Daniel Cabrera threw a three-hitter to remain perfect against Kansas City, Nick Markakis backed him with a three-run homer, and Baltimore snapped a five-game losing streak. Cabrera (3-1) struck out seven and walked one.

White Sox 6, Twins 2

In Chicago, Jermaine Dye homered for the third straight game and Juan Uribe added a go-ahead two-run drive in the fifth for the White Sox.

John Danks (3-3) made it through five innings, giving up six hits and two runs, and Chicago won for just the second time in nine games.