Webb goes the distance to improve to 8-0

Baseball Betting Lines

05/09/2008 -

Brandon Webb is talking with the Arizona Diamondbacks about a new contract and building his case for more cash at the same time.

He became the first pitcher in three years to win his first eight starts, tossing his 13th career complete game to help Arizona beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 on Thursday.

The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner struck out four and didn't walk a batter in his first complete game of the year. He hit one batter.

``I felt early on I had good stuff, even in the pen,'' Webb said. ``My arm felt great, the best it's probably felt in three games.''

In other NL games, it was Atlanta 5, San Diego 4; Colorado 9, St. Louis 3; Washington 8, Houston 3; Florida 7, Milwaukee 2; and Pittsburgh 5, San Francisco 4.

The easygoing Webb (8-0) became the first pitcher to win his first eight starts since Jon Garland of the Chicago White Sox in 2005 and the first in the NL since Pedro Martinez for Montreal in 1997, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

``Everything has to go your way for these things to work,'' Webb said. ``Guys hitting in situations and making plays. The bullpen has been coming through. Everything has to fall in place and it has whenever I've been out there.''

Webb is one of baseball's biggest bargains, or one of the most underpaid depending on the perspective, but the Diamondbacks are trying to work out a new deal.

He is scheduled to make $5.5 million this season as part of a four-year contract that originally guaranteed him $19.5 million and potentially is worth $27.5 million over five seasons. He is due $6.5 million next year, and the Diamondbacks have an $8.5 million option for 2010 with a $1.5 million buyout.

``We've been talking a little bit and, hopefully, it's not something that drags out too long,'' said Webb, who turns 29 on Friday. ``We'll get something done.''

Chris Young hit a two-run drive, his second homer in as many games, and Chris Snyder had a two-run double for the Diamondbacks, who split the four-game series to finish their longest homestand of the season 5-5. Justin Upton added a solo home run for Arizona.

Brett Myers (2-3) allowed seven runs - six earned - and nine hits in five innings for the Phillies. He struck out five and walked three, one intentionally.Braves 5, Padres 4

At Atlanta, the Braves finally won a one-run game when Matt Diaz hit a bases-loaded single in the ninth inning. Atlanta was the first team since the 2000 Houston Astros to lose its first nine one-run games, and the only team in the major leagues without a one-run win.

Atlanta, which trailed 4-1 after five innings, has won six straight games, all at home.

The Padres, who lost their fourth straight, committed three errors that led to four unearned runs. Joe Thatcher (0-4) was charged with the loss.

Manny Acosta (1-1) recorded one out to get the win.Rockies 9, Cardinals 3

At Denver, Matt Holliday had four singles, Jorge De La Rosa scattered five hits over 5 2-3 innings and Colorado beat St. Louis to salvage a split in their four-game series.

Omar Quintanilla added a career-high three hits and Garrett Atkins finished 2-for-3 with a double, triple and two RBIs for the Rockies.

De La Rosa (1-1) was making his second start for Colorado since being acquired April 30 from Kansas City. He gave up two runs and struck out five.

Kyle Lohse (3-2) struggled for a second straight outing, allowing seven runs and eight hits in four innings for St. Louis. Ryan Ludwick hit two home runs.Nationals 8, Astros 3

At Houston, Willie Harris and Rob Mackowiak homered and Washington ended the Astros' five-game winning streak.

John Lannan (3-3) allowed seven hits in six innings and the Nationals snapped Houston's eight-game winning streak at Minute Maid Park. The Astros averaged 7.3 runs and 11.5 hits in their previous eight home games.

Austin Kearns had a two-run single off Brandon Backe (2-4), who had a career-high nine strikeouts.Marlins 7, Brewers 2

At Miami, Matt Treanor achieved a career high in RBIs with one swing, hitting a three-run homer to help Florida complete a three-game sweep.

Jorge Cantu also homered for the first-place Marlins, who won their fourth game in a row and matched their best start after 34 games (20-14).

The Brewers lost their sixth game in a row, their longest losing streak this year. They finished 1-5 in the season series against Florida, scoring a total of 10 runs.

Logan Kensing (1-0) retired all eight batters he faced, striking out four, to earn the win.

Carlos Villanueva (1-4) allowed seven runs in five innings to remain winless since his first start of the season April 4. His ERA rose to 6.46.Pirates 5, Giants 4

Adam LaRoche hit a go-ahead single in a three-run seventh inning, and the Pirates rallied to complete a three-game sweep.

Pittsburgh has won 13 of its last 15 games against San Francisco and swept three-game series from the Giants in three straight seasons, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. San Francisco has lost four in a row overall.

Freddy Sanchez and Jason Bay had three hits apiece for the host Pirates. Franquelis Osoria (2-1) pitched a one-hit seventh, John Grabow and Tyler Yates combined on a one-hit eighth and Matt Capps finished for his eighth save in as many chances.

Matt Cain (1-3) allowed five runs and nine hits in 6 1-3 innings for the Giants.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.