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Webb, Diamondbacks sweep series from reeling Orioles

Jun 17, 2007 - 11:05 PM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Brandon Webb became the latest pitcher to mow down the Baltimore Orioles.

Webb tossed seven strong frames and Chad Tracy had an RBI single to snap a tie in the eighth inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks posted a 6-4 triumph over the Orioles on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep of this interleague series.

It was the 15th victory in the last 22 games for the Diamondbacks, who limped into this series after getting swept in a three-game set against the New York Yankees earlier this week.

"It was a big lift for us to come in here and get the sweep after what happened at Yankee Stadium," Webb said. "It definitely will give us some momentum."

But Arizona certainly did not carry that baggage to Baltimore, which is mired in an eight-game losing streak. It is the Orioles' longest skid since they dropped nine straight contests from September 18-26, 2005.

The Orioles particularly have struggled offensively during their current losing streak, managing a total of just 25 runs over their last eight games.

"They have been taking some heat around here and they played hard and stayed with it the entire game," Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said. "What they've been through here lately, to go out there and play like that, it's a good sign."

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Webb (7-4) won for the fourth time in his last five outings, allowing three runs - two earned - and seven hits. The righthander did not walk a batter and had four strikeouts, throwing 67 of 105 pitches for strikes.

"I had to battle, especially the first three innings," Webb said. "I finally got my breaking ball and changeup working, and that helped."

Webb pitched well in his last start but ran into a bit of bad luck, as the Diamondbacks were baffled by Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang in Tuesday's 4-1 loss.

However, Webb received some good fortune Sunday. He left after seven innings with the game tied, 3-3, but the Diamondbacks rallied for three runs in the eighth against the Orioles' miserable bullpen.

Orlando Hudson drew a one-out walk against Baltimore righthander Chad Bradford (0-4), who yielded a single to Scott Hairston before being replaced by lefthander Jamie Walker.

The lefthanded Tracy broke the tie and greeted Walker by blooping a 1-0 pitch to left field, plating Hudson and giving Baltimore the lead for good at 4-3.

"He throws a lot of sliders, and that is what I was looking for," Tracy said. "I didn't really get all of it, but it found a hole."

After both baserunners advanced on a wild pitch by Walker, rookie Mark Reynolds made it 5-3 by tapping a grounder to second baseman Brian Roberts, who committed a throwing error on the play.

Chris Snyder followed with a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring and give Arizona a 6-3 cushion.

Baltimore clawed within 6-4 on Miguel Tejada's RBI groundout in the eighth and threatened to tie the score in the ninth, placing runners at second and third with one out.

However, Arizona closer Jose Valverde struck out Kevin Millar and Roberts to preserve the victory and record his 22nd save.

The Orioles wasted a stellar effort from starter Brian Burres, who recorded a career-high nine strikeouts in seven innings. The lefthander yielded three runs, five hits and two walks.

"Once (Burres) got past the third inning, he started dealing," Perlozzo said. "He looked like he loosened up. He had a little more velocity, a little more pop. That was an outstanding performance by him."

Eric Byrnes led off the game with his 10th home run of the season. It was his second leadoff homer of the season and the sixth of his career.

The Diamondbacks took a 3-0 lead in the second as Snyder belted a solo shot, his sixth home run of the season. With two outs, Jackson's soft line drive plated Augie Ojeda.

"Our bats early are pretty good. Our middle innings, we've got to work a little bit," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "We don't grind in the middle innings as well as we do early and, then at the end we start grinding again. It's innings four, five, six, seven that we've really been struggling."

After Aubrey Huff singled and Jay Gibbons doubled, Corey Patterson hit a sacrifice fly for the Orioles' first run in the second. Freddie Bynum doubled in Gibbons, cutting the Diamondbacks' lead to 3-2.

The Orioles picked up an unearned run in the third to tie the score at 3-3. A throwing error by Reynolds at third base allowed Melvin Mora, who had singled, to go to third. Mora later scored an Huff's groundout.