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Jackson lifts Diamondbacks to eighth straight win

Jul 29, 2007 - 1:32 AM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks keep finding ways to win.

Conor Jackson's single in the bottom of the 10th inning plated Chris Young from second base and gave the Diamondbacks a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

Young also homered for the Diamondbacks, who tied a season high with their eighth consecutive win. The win marked the team's third walk-off victory in as many days.

"It's a good feeling," Jackson said. "We've got a good little run going and we're trying to keep it going."

Tony Clark homered in the 11th inning to beat the Braves, 8-7, on Friday and Eric Byrnes hit a three-run blast in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Florida Marlins, 7-4, on Thursday.

"I don't even know if I can put it into words," Young said. "(The last three games have) been exciting."

Arizona's 10th-inning rally began when reliever Tyler Yates (2-3) walked Young to open the inning. Orlando Hudson moved Young to second with a sacrifice, prompting Yates to intentionally walk Byrnes.

Chad Paronto was called in to face Jackson, who hit the first pitch he saw into shallow left-center to plate the winning run.

"When (Atlanta manager Bobby Cox) brought in Paronto I know he has a good sinker," Jackson said. "I was looking for something early in the count because when you get two strikes against a guy with a good sinker you're probably going to hit a ground ball."

Juan Cruz (5-1) picked up the win for Arizona after tossing a perfect 10th inning.

Young wasted no time in giving the Diamondbacks the early lead as he connected on a 3-2 pitch from starter John Smoltz for his fourth leadoff home run of the season.

"The ball's not looking any larger. It's looking just the right size," Young said. "Just as fast as it comes it can go. I'm trying to be consistent and have quality at-bats. That's all, just quality at-bats."

The rookie, whose 18 home runs leads the team, also ignited a third-inning rally for the Diamondbacks.

Young singled with one out and advanced to third on Hudson's single. Byrnes' sacrifice fly brought Young home with the second run of the game.

Jackson kept the inning alive with an RBI double to make it 3-0 before Stephen Drew grounded out to end the inning.

Atlanta got the runs back in its next at-bat as starter Doug Davis ran into control problems.

Chipper Jones walked to open the inning and, after one out was recorded, Davis allowed a free pass to Jeff Francoeur. Matt Diaz followed with a two-run double and moved to third when Brian McCann grounded out for the second out of the inning.

Davis was primed to get of the inning without further damage when Smoltz stepped to the plate, but the career .165 hitter came through with an RBI single that ate up third baseman Mark Reynolds.

In his third start since a stint on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, Smoltz allowed three runs, seven hits and no walks while striking out six in seven innings.

"He was outstanding," Cox said. "He's had three great ones since the break."

Davis, who left after throwing 122 pitches in seven innings, allowed three runs, five hits and three walks while striking out six.

"Davis gave us everything we needed on a day when our bullpen wasn't full," said Arizona manager Bob Melvin. "It's only a shame we couldn't get him the win."

The Braves have dropped four straight.

"We're not winning the close ones, not to overstate the obvious," Smoltz said. "When a team is hot like Arizona, it seems like they're winning almost every game they have to win, whether it's in the last at-bat or by making plays."