Webb Stops Giants, 7-4

Rookie Brandon Webb overcame his first bad inning in the major leagues to earn what might be the biggest victory in his young career.

Webb gave up four runs and four hits in the first inning Sunday at Phoenix, then limited the San Francisco Giants to two hits over the next five as the Arizona Diamondbacks avoided a three-game sweep with a 7-4 victory.

“This was a big momentum win for us,” Luis Gonzalez said. “A three-day break now for the All-Star game, and I think everybody is going to be excited to show up in San Diego ready to go for the second half, to make our push.”

Gonzalez, Steve Finley and Shea Hillenbrand each drove in a pair of runs in the first two innings to give Webb the support he needed.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Brandon Webb,” Arizona Manager Bob Brenly said. “This is the first hiccup he’s had as a big leaguer. He gave up four hits, a walk and hit two batters in the first inning, and was just stellar after that.”

Arizona beat San Francisco for only the second time in eight meetings this season and moved within five games of the West Division leaders.

Florida 11, Montreal 4 -- Rookie left-hander Dontrelle Willis won his eighth consecutive decision and Ivan Rodriguez had four hits and drove in five runs at Montreal.

Willis (9-1), a late addition to the All-Star team, remained undefeated in 10 starts since losing May 20 at Olympic Stadium. He yielded six hits and three runs -- two earned -- in five innings.

Marlin center fielder Juan Pierre had three hits and scored four runs. He also stole three bases, increasing his major league-leading total to 44.

Cincinnati 10, Milwaukee 8 -- Aaron Boone hit a two-run home run in the 12th inning and the Reds overcame a six-run deficit to complete a three-game sweep at Milwaukee.

Sean Casey singled with one out in the 12th off Leo Estrella (2-2) and Boone followed with his 16th homer to left to give the Reds their third win in a row after losing eight straight.

Boone had been hitless in five at-bats and had gone 115 at-bats since his last homer.

Houston 5, Pittsburgh 2 -- Tim Redding (6-8) pitched six scoreless innings to lead the Astros at Houston.

Redding (6-8) gave up five hits in winning his second straight start after a four-game losing streak. He struck out five and walked one as the Astros held onto their one-game lead over the Cardinals in the Central Division heading into the All-Star break.

Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless seventh, and Octavio Dotel gave up a two-run homer to Aramis Ramirez in the eighth. Billy Wagner got three consecutive outs for his 25th save in 28 chances.

New York 4, Philadelphia 3 -- A run-scoring single by Jason Phillips in the bottom of the ninth inning ended the Mets’ six-game losing streak and the Phillies’ five-game winning streak.

Former Met and Philadelphia reliever Tug McGraw threw out the ceremonial first pitch as the Mets honored their 1973 NL championship team before the game. McGraw, recovering from surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor, got a warm ovation from the crowd of 31,630.

Atlanta 7, Chicago 2 -- Vinny Castilla capped a remarkable series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, getting three hits and driving in two runs. He finished the series with 11 hits in 15 at-bats (.733) with 10 runs batted in.

The Braves won three of four from the Cubs to finish 61-32 at the All-Star break, the best record in the majors.