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ATLANTA (Ticker) -- A disputed call produced the go-ahead runs for the Arizona Diamondbacks. But there is no disputing the Atlanta Braves are struggling at home and struggling to stay on top in the National League East. Miguel Batista pitched five solid innings and four relievers did not allow a hit over the final four as the Diamondbacks moved into first place in the NL West with a 3-1 victory over the punchless Braves. Batista (7-7) became the first Arizona starter other than Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson to win since he defeated San Diego on July 25. The righthander allowed an unearned run and five hits with a walk and four strikeouts. "The first couple innings, it was tough for me to catch my breath," Batista said. "I kept the ball down and tried to keep the ball inside the park." "I don't want everyone to think that the only way we're going to win is if (Schilling and Johnson) are pitching," Diamondbacks shortstop Tony Womack added. "I just think the other three guys have kept us in the game, but we just didn't get timely hits." Bobby Witt retired all four batters he faced and Troy Brohawn got the last two outs in the seventh before Bret Prinz and Byung-Hyun Kim each pitched an inning for the Diamondbacks. Kim struck out two in the ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances. With the score tied, 1-1, in the sixth, Arizona had runners at second and third with two out. First baseman Ken Caminiti backhanded Womack's grounder and tossed to pitcher Jason Marquis for the apparent third out. But umpire Tim Welke ruled Marquis missed the base and Steve Finley and Damian Miller scored to put the Diamondbacks ahead for good. "I know I hit the bag," Marquis said. "I thought I touched the bag once I got over there. The ump didn't make the call, so I reached back to touch it a second time. It is just part of the game, what are you going to do? I thought I had him. But I should have got out of that jam before that." "I don't know if he missed the bag or got the bag. He looked like he got it a little bit," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "But we've got to swing the bats better. We are getting the pitching." Atlanta ended a 17 1/3-inning scoreless drought in the fifth but fell into a first-place tie with Philadelphia in the NL East. The Braves are 12-19 at home since May 30 and just 29-29 this season at Turner Field. "I am worried about our team, not the Phillies," Cox said. "I would rather be in first by 10, that's for sure." Marquis got in trouble early. He gave up a two-out double to Luis Gonzalez in the top of the first inning and walked Mark Grace before Matt Williams doubled to give the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead. But Marquis righted himself and ended up allowing three runs -- one earned -- and six hits in six innings with four walks and two strikeouts. Atlanta ended its offensive drought in the fifth. With two out, rookie Marcus Giles reached on Womack's error and came around to score on a double by Dave Martine, who took third on the play at the plate. Chipper Jones walked, but Brian Jordan bounced into a force play to end the inning. "During the course of the year, teams go through this," Caminiti said. "Right now, we are in an RBI slump and nobody is on fire. ... It's definitely frustrating. Granted, their pitching staff is pitching us real tough. It will get better."
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