This Time Zito Stops Diamondbacks, 2-1

Barry Zito became the third consecutive Oakland starter to stifle Arizona’s hitters as the Athletics defeated the Diamondbacks and Curt Schilling, 2-1, Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

The Athletics, who held Arizona to two runs in three games, won their sixth in seven games to enter the All-Star break one game above .500.

The Diamondbacks have scored only three runs in 38 innings and matched their season worst with their fourth loss in a row. They have dropped five of six, but lead the National League West by 3 1/2 games.

Arizona Manager Bob Brenly, upset by umpire Eric Cooper’s liberal strike zone, was thrown out of the game after complaining about a called third strike against Craig Counsell that ended the seventh inning.

Zito (6-6) yielded a run and six hits over six innings and matched his career high with 10 strikeouts. He didn’t walk a batter and retired the last seven he faced.

Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 23 opportunities.

Schilling (12-4), headed for the All-Star game, gave up two runs and five hits, struck out 11 and walked one before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. Despite the strong effort, he has lost two in a row for the first time this season and is 2-3 in his last six starts.

Johnny Damon led off the sixth with a sharp liner that bounced off Schilling’s foot and into right field for a double. He went to third on a groundout and scored on Jeremy Giambi’s fly ball to put the A’s ahead.

Arizona had runners at first and second with no outs in the eighth after Luis Gonzalez singled and Danny Bautista walked. Left-hander Mark Guthrie came on to get Mark Grace to fly out. Jeff Tam replaced Guthrie and got Jay Bell to fly out and David Dellucci to ground out to end the threat.