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Diamondbacks move into first in NL West

Aug 11, 2011 - 5:36 AM Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Paul Goldschmidt singled in two runs and Josh Collmenter tossed seven strong innings, as the Arizona Diamondbacks held off the Houston Astros, 6-3, to take over sole possession of first place in the National League West.

The Diamondbacks have won two in a row to jump ahead of San Francisco in the division. The Giants trail Arizona by a half-game after losing to the Pirates on Wednesday. It's the first time the Diamondbacks are in sole possession of the top spot since June 24.

"We still got a long season in front of us," Arizona outfielder Justin Upton said. "I just hope we can stay there for a little bit longer than a couple days this time."

Willie Bloomquist homered, while Chris Young and Gerardo Parra each knocked in a run for Arizona in the third test of this four-game series.

Collmenter (7-7) allowed two runs on four hits to pick up the win. He struck out five and walked one. David Hernandez tossed a perfect ninth for his 10th save of the season.

Carlos Lee, Humberto Quintero and Clint Barmes each had an RBI for the Astros, who have lost five of six.

Henry Sosa (0-1) gave up four runs on six hits over six innings to suffer the loss in his MLB debut. Sosa was acquired from San Francisco in the Jeff Keppinger deal on July 19. He went 10-3 with a 4.53 earned run average in the minor leagues this season.

Sosa's debut did not start according to plan. Bloomquist welcomed Sosa to the big leagues with a homer to left. Ryan Roberts doubled and Miguel Montero and Kelly Johnson walked to load the bases with two outs. Goldschmidt followed with a two-run single to left for an early 3-0 lead.

"The first inning I overthrew the ball a little bit," Sosa said.

As Sosa settled down, the Astros scored two runs in the fifth. Brian Bogusevic singled and Jimmy Paredes doubled to start the frame. Barmes and Quintero followed with consecutive RBI singles to cut the gap to one, 3-2.

The D-Backs got a run back in the home fifth. Upton double to left and crossed the plate on Young's two-out double to make it a 4-2 game.

Arizona added another run in the seventh. Wilton Lopez took over on the mound for Houston and gave up consecutive one-out singles to Roberts and Upton. Sergio Escalona retired one batter before Jeff Fulchino came in from the bullpen. With Young batting, Fulchino stepped off the mound and looked at first and third. Upton decided to try for second and made it on Fulchino's bad throw. In the process, Roberts crossed the plate on the play for a 5-2 edge.

The Astros loaded the bases in the eighth, but only got one run out of it. With one out, Bryan Shaw gave up singles to J.B. Shuck and Jose Altuve and walked J.D. Martinez. A run scored on Lee's groundout, but Bogusevic's groundout ended the inning.

The D-Backs got the run back in the home eighth. Kelly Johnson walked, stole second and scored on Parra's triple to center.

Game Notes

Arizona swept a three-game series with Houston from May 27-29 at Minute Maid Park and has won 13 of the past 17 matchups in this series...Sosa's contract was purchased from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He is the ninth player and fifth pitcher to make his MLB debut for Houston this season...The Astros optioned pitcher Wesley Wright to Oklahoma City and designated infielder Tommy Manzella for assignment...Quintero extended his hitting streak to 10 games.