If they keep this up, the Arizona Diamondbacks are going to be as tough to catch as a Jared Fernandez knuckleball.

        A 7-2 victory over the Reds moved the NL West leaders 30 games over .500 for the first time since 1999 and extended their lead to a season-high eight games.

        After trailing by 2 1/2 games at the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks have taken control by winning 18 of their last 22. The Dodgers and Giants might as well start focusing on the wild card.

        “Our pitchers and hitters are on the same page right now,” said Tony Womack, who had three hits, stole two bases and doubled home the tiebreaking run. “That's what you strive for.”

        The D'Backs capitalized on three passed balls b Reds catcher Jason LaRue in the first, one shy of the major league record for an inning.

        The mishaps led to two unearned runs, and Womack broke a 2-all tie with his two-run double in the sixth. Steve Finley and Jay Bell later added home runs.

        During the Diamondbacks' 22-game spurt, their starters have pitched into the seventh inning 19 times. Brian Anderson (6-8) gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings, even though he wasn't at his best.

        “I really didn't feel good out there at all,” he said. “I didn't feel crisp. I had a bad warmup. I wasn't locating. I thought it was going to be a rough night.”

        The Diamondbacks rarely have a rough night anymore, even if someone other than Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson is on the mound.

        “We're all pitching like we're capable of,” Anderson said. “As a staff, we're on a pretty good run right now. I don't think by any reason that it's something that shouldn't be expected.”
        Notes: A strained ribcage ended Luis Gonzalez's streak of playing in 446 consecutive games. Oakland's Miguel Tejada now has the longest active streak at 391. Gonzalez hadn't missed a game since Sept. 30, 1999, when the Diamondbacks rested players before their first playoff appearance. He hurt himself on a swing Sunday and aggravated it in the series opener. ... Cal Ripken Jr. holds the record of playing in 2,632 consecutive games. ... Bell is 12-for-32 career off Rijo with three homers. He's a career .328 hitter in Cincinnati with nine homers.

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