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Webb earns major league-best 16th victory
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Brandon Webb is not the one with the new contract, but he is the one with a major league-leading 16 victories.
Webb pitched a nine-hit complete game in a 3-1 victory over Pittsburgh on Tuesday, using almost exclusively what manager Bob Melvin called his best sinker of the season to get 21 ground-ball outs.
“I was getting ahead and zoning my sights down and they were beating it into the ground,” said Webb, who is now 16-4 with a 2.93 ERA.
“These last two games, it’s probably been my best (sinker) of the year.”
Webb, supported by a two-run home run by Chris Young in the third inning and an RBI double by Conor Jackson in the eighth, lost his shutout on three consecutive Pirates hits in the ninth.
Webb got a ground-out before stranding runners on second and third by striking out the last two batters, his third and fourth of the game. The Pirates had one fly-ball out.
“We didn’t need much, obviously,” Young said. “When he is on the mound, all you need is one or two big hits.”
Young hit a curve ball into the D-Backs’ bullpen for his 15th homer after Stephen Drew doubled with two outs in the third inning against Zach Duke.
“I understand a lot of pitchers have been getting me on off-speed stuff lately,” Young said. “I tried to be ready for it this time.”
The D-Backs (59-54) opened a 2 1/2-game lead over Los Angeles in the NL West when the Dodgers lost to St. Louis in 11 innings.
The D-Backs have won four of their last five series, splitting the other.
Webb also discussed pitching with Dan Haren, who signed a new contract that could max out at $56.75 million.
“Hopefully, I can be here, too. I like pitching with him,” Webb said.
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