Germano helps the Padres avert a sweep

The San Diego Padres gave rookie Justin Germano a big job Sunday: beat All-Star Brandon Webb and avert a three-game sweep by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Germano responded by driving in a run and giving up none to help the Padres beat the Diamondbacks, 4-0.

“I was very proud of him, going against an All-Star on the road, a team that had a lot of momentum, and he held them down,” Manager Bud Black said. “A great job.”

Milton Bradley drove in two runs and Brian Giles had three hits for San Diego, which stayed a game behind the Dodgers in the National League West.

Germano (6-3) gave up four hits in 6 1/3 innings, walking three and striking out four. Germano, who is batting .333, also singled home a run in the sixth, when the Padres chased Webb (8-7).

Heath Bell, Scott Linebrink and Doug Brocail completed San Diego’s 13th shutout, the most in the majors.

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RESULTS

* at Chicago 7, Houston 6: Derrek Lee ended a streak of 126 at-bats without a home run with a three-run shot in the second inning to help the Cubs complete a three-game sweep.

* at Milwaukee 4, Colorado 3: Pinch-hitter Kevin Mench’s tiebreaking run-scoring triple in the seventh lifted the Brewers. The Rockies, who had won six of eight, dropped below .500.

* at New York 5, Cincinnati 2: Jose Reyes homered and Oliver Perez won in his return from the disabled list. Adam Dunn knocked out a scoreboard panel with a home run for the Reds, who have lost 14 of 20.

* at Florida 5, Washington 3: Miguel Cabrera hit two homers and Josh Willingham homered for the third straight game. Cabrera, who withdrew from the All-Star home run derby with a shoulder injury, has hit three homers in his last two games.

* at Atlanta 5, Pittsburgh 1: Buddy Carlyle pitched eight strong innings, and the surging Braves got four hits from Edgar Renteria to complete a three-game sweep.

* St. Louis 10, at Philadelphia 2: Albert Pujols hit two of the Cardinals’ six homers, and the Phillies lost the 10,000th game in franchise history.

* San Diego 4, at Arizona 0: Milton Bradley drove in two runs and Brian Giles had three hits as the Padres avoided a three-game sweep.

* Dodgers 5, at San Francisco 3: The Dodgers held Barry Bonds without a hit all series, winning their 11th straight game in San Francisco.

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CHASING AARON

Hank Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth’s home run record of 714 in 1974, and finished with 755. Barry Bonds is closing in on Aaron’s record:

* Home runs: 751.

* Sunday: 0 for 5.

* Projected date to break record:

Aug. 11, vs. Pittsburgh.

* Next for Giants: at Chicago Cubs (Rich Hill).

* Bonds vs. Hill: .000 (0 for 2).