Webb gets No. 13 in D-Backs’ win over Nationals

WASHINGTON - Another pretty fair Kentucky right-hander, U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, congratulated Brandon Webb after his major league-leading 13th victory Tuesday. A Hall of Famer, Bunning told Webb stories of intentionally hitting Mickey Mantle.

D-Backs notebook: Team talks about Barry Bonds

Read Jack Magruder's blog, 'Inside Baseball'

Washington just wishes it could get some kind of hit against Webb.

Webb said he still does not have the normal command of his two-seam fastball, but even without it he threw six shutout innings in a 2-0 victory over the Nationals, his fourth straight victory in the series.

"Once again, it was a battle. I haven't had an easy game in a month," said Webb, now 13-4.

"There were signs today I am kind of getting back. My arm feels great. My release point is there most of the time. I think I am almost there."

The Nationals provided a salve - they have one run in their last 31 innings against Webb, and that was on a foul fly hit by Austin Kearns down the left-field line at RFK Stadium on April 7, 2007, that was ruled a home run.

On Tuesday, Webb retired Kearns in the pivotal at-bat of the game, getting him on a routine fly ball to center with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth of a 1-0 game.

"The bases are loaded. I'm struggling with control. I'm like 'I'm not going to walk him.' I pretty much just challenged him," said Webb, who threw four straight two-seamers after falling behind in the count, 2-0.

"I saw a guy who battled pretty hard, because he didn't really have command of his sinker again tonight," manager Bob Melvin said.

"Sometimes, the toughest thing to do for a pitcher is to not have command of the fastball the way you are used to, and fighting back the frustration, and he did that tonight."

The D-Backs had only four hits and both of their runs were unearned, set up by errors. The first was also aided by an Odalis Perez balk.

"We didn't look good offensively," Melvin said. "You can live with it when you win."

Webb has given up 24 hits and six walks in his last 31 innings against the Nationals, while striking out 32.

Turning point: Brandon Webb got good friend Austin Kearns to fly out with the bases loaded for the final out of the fifth inning, preserving a 1-0 Diamondbacks lead.

Stat of the game: Webb has thrown 25 consecutive scoreless innings against Washington dating to April 7, 2007.

Unsung hero: Tony Pena hit 97 mph and 98 mph while striking out the last two men he faced in the eighth inning.

Getting his two cents’ worth: Washington’s Odalis Perez was ejected by home-plate umpire Angel Hernandez after being called for his second balk in the third inning. “He’s just stupid. An idiot,” Perez said. “It’s like he’s got something personal against me. I know I’m going to get fined, but I don’t care. I’ve been doing the same (bleeping) move all year.”