Bodog Beat

Jose Valverde notched his 36th save for Arizona. (AI Wire photo)

Chris Snyder. Doug Davis. Jose Valverde. Mark Reynolds.

Who are these guys?

The answer is a core group of reliable players who continue to propel the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks. The D-backs improved to 7-0 in Davis' last seven starts and Valverde saved his 36th game, doubling his total from 2006, with a 9-6 victory over the Florida Marlins in Miami on Wednesday. Davis is 10-10 and lowered his ERA to 3.92. Snyder had a two-run home run and Reynolds was 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.

Eric Byrnes and Orlando Hudson, two of Arizona's more recognizable names, were also 3-for-5. The Diamondbacks remained atop the National League standings with the win, which was their 18th in 23 games. Arizona (68-53) paid +109 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $100 would net a $109 profit). The Diamondbacks were an underdog because they were going against the talented Sergio Mitre (5-6).

In other early action in the NL on Wednesday:New York Mets 10, Pittsburgh 8: The visiting Mets scored five times in the first inning and five times in the ninth then held on for the win. Moises Alou had a two-run homer in the first and finished 3-for-5 in the victory, which paid New York backers -169 straight up. The Pirates rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth but Billy Wagner came on to secure the win with the final two outs. It was his 28th save.

Atlanta 6, San Francisco 3: Although he gave up Barry Bonds' 759th career home run, Tim Hudson still had reason the celebrate. The Braves' starter improved to 14-5 as Atlanta pulled ahead of Philadelphia to hold down second place in the NL East. Atlanta paid -290 at home.

Washington 4, Philadelphia 2: Tim Redding (2-3) did it all for the host Nationals. He threw six innings for the win and also drove in two runs as the Nationals paid +109 in the upset.

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