D-Backs notebook: Webb, Haren living up to top billing

BOSTON - When Dan Haren was obtained, the Diamondbacks believed they had one of the best 1-2 punches atop a starting rotation, if not the best, in the major leagues. It is hard to argue with the numbers, and manager Bob Melvin believes each has made a case for inclusion on the 2008 NL All-Star team.

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Webb (11-4, 3.23 ERA) leads the NL and is tied for the major league lead in victories.

Haren (8-4, 3.04) leads the major leagues in hits and walks per inning, 0.96, and leads NL starting pitchers in strikeout to walk ratio at 4 to 1.

“I think both of these guys have lived up to the billing, talking about 1-2 (rotation) guys around the league, or really in either league, that get everybody’s attention,” Melvin said.

“Danny’s internal numbers would suggest that he has pitched as well as anybody in the National League, and now the record supports that,” Melvin said.

All-Star pitchers are selected in a vote of the players, with the manager filling any empty spots.

FENWAY TRADITION

Players from Babe Ruth to Jimmie Foxx to Ted Williams to Arizona State product Dustin Pedroia have signed the weathered walls inside Fenway Park’s Green Monster, a tradition the first-time D-Backs’ visitors would like to continue today.

Because of rain delays the past two days, the D-Backs have been unable to get on the field and inside the scoreboard.

“There are so many names in there, it’s almost to the point where it looks like somebody put chicken scratches on cement,” said Brandon Lyon, who added his name on the first day of the 2002 season, when he visited with Toronto.

“I know when I went in there, there was hardly enough room for me to sign, and that was five years ago.”

WELCOME BACK, BRANDON

It did not take long for Fenway fans to remember Brandon Lyon on Monday.

“Thanks for the World Series.”

“Thanks for the Curt Schilling trade.”

When Schilling sought a trade after the 2003 season, the D-Backs accommodated by dealing him to the Red Sox for Lyon, Casey Fossum, Jorge de la Rosa and a player to be named.

Schilling and his bloody sock helped Boston end an 86-year drought by winning the 2004 World Series.

“I have fun with it. It’s all in fun,” Lyon said.

SHORT HOPS

With the D-Backs scheduled to face Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in the series finale today, D-Backs radio announcer and former major leaguer Tom Candiotti has been asked to throw early batting practice for any D-Back interested in seeing a knuckleball.

“Just to give them a look,” said Candiotti, who won 151 games in a 16-year major league career that concluded in 1999. He also portrayed knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhem in the Billy Crystal movie “61.”