D-Backs' Webb continues domination of Dodgers

LOS ANGELES — Maybe Manny Ramirez can do something about Brandon Webb.

As constituted, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in their fourth year of nothing doing.

Webb won his eighth straight decision over Los Angeles on Thursday, becoming the first major league pitcher this season to 15 victories.

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The Diamondbacks offense, meanwhile, so proficient these days it seemingly can be summoned on demand, scored twice in the seventh inning for a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Dodger Stadium.

The game was punctuated by a second game-saving defensive play in the outfield in the last three days, when left fielder Conor Jackson threw out Andre Ethier attempting to score from third base to conclude the Dodgers’ eighth.

“Winning the first game of the series is big,” said Webb, who has not lost to the Dodgers since Sept. 7, 2004.

The D-Backs (56-52) have won six of their last seven games and eight of their last 10, their best streak since late April.

They opened a two-game lead on the Dodgers in the NL West, their largest lead since July 2, in the first of a four-game series.

Leading 2-1, Webb gave up singles to Ethier and Mark Sweeney to open the eighth before Juan Pierre sacrificed the runners to second and third.

Matt Kemp hit a short fly to left on which Jackson had time to set his feet and make a strong throw, although it was a tad off line and catcher Chris Snyder had to make a diving tag, getting Ethier in the throat just before he crossed the plate.

“I know they’re going to send that guy, absolutely,” said Jackson, who has played left exclusively since July 9.

“They are going to be more aggressive with me because I’m pretty new out there. It wasn’t a perfect throw, but it was an unbelievable tag.”

Snyder: “You have to sell out. That’s the game right there.”

After the Dodgers broke a scoreless tie on a bloop single, a hit-and-run single and a sawed-off pop-up that drove in a run in the sixth, Jackson opened the D-Backs’ seventh with a double.

He has hit safely in 17 of the last 18 games.

Mark Reynolds tied the score with a one-out double down the right-field line off Derek Lowe, and Snyder followed with a single to center for the only other run.

Webb is 8-0 with a 1.19 ERA in his last nine starts against the Dodgers, the only no-decision coming when Brandon Lyon failed to hold a 4-1 lead in the ninth inning at Chase Field on July 20.

Lyon got his 23rd save Thursday.

Of his ongoing success against the Dodgers, Webb said, “nothing particular. I match up pretty well against a lot of them, and this is a great park to pitch in.

“This is some of the best stuff I’ve had all year.”

Turning point: Conor Jackson caught Matt Kemp’s fly ball in mid-left field and threw out Andre Ethier attempting to score from third base for a double play that ended the Los Angeles eighth inning and preserved a 2-1 D-Backs lead.

Stat of the game: With two singles and a double, Stephen Drew has seven consecutive hits against Los Angeles pitcher Derek Lowe.

Unsung hero: Chris Snyder singled in the go-ahead run and has 10 RBIs in nine games since returning from a bruised testicle.

Why the Dodgers need Manny: New Los Angeles third baseman Casey Blake hit fifth in the Dodgers lineup Thursday. With his previous team, Cleveland, which is in last place in the AL Central, Blake had 277 at-bats in the sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth spots in the order.