Webb's arm, bat boosts D-Backs

If there is anything Brandon Webb appreciates more than pitching against the San Francisco Giants, it might be hitting against them.

Webb won his NL-high 21st game with his eighth straight victory over San Francisco, 7-6, while supplying the pivotal hit in the latest in a series of almost-must-win games, a two-out, two-run double to deep center field that sparked a five-run second inning.

Usual suspects Stephen Drew and Justin Upton followed Webb with RBIs in the second, Drew as part of his four-hit game and Upton with his third home run in four games into the same part of Chase Field's center-field stands, an area the size of a postcard about 435 feet away.

"We all know he has significant power," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said of Upton.

"He's doing some crazy things," Webb said.

The bullpen introduced some drama into a 7-3 game, when Doug Slaten walked the first two batters of the ninth inning and Tony Pena gave up a two-run triple and a run-scoring ground-out.But Pena got the next two batters for his third save.

The D-Backs' offense sparked just about the time that Pittsburgh's did during its 15-8 victory over Los Angeles, cutting the Dodgers' lead to 3 1/2 games in the NL West.

It was the first day the D-Backs (75-76) have gained ground in the division race since beating Los Angeles here Aug. 29 to take a 4 1/2 game lead. They lost eight games to the Dodgers in the next 13 days.

"It's nice to finally pick up a game," Melvin said.

The D-Backs have 11 games remaining, but only have to look to last season to imagine the possibilities.

Colorado was 5 1/2 games behind the D-Backs and 4 1/2 out of the wild card race with 11 games to play before forcing a wild-card playoff game to advance to the playoffs in 2007.

"We will just try to come out tomorrow and do the same thing and see what happens," Webb said. "We have seen crazy things happen."

The D-Backs won their third straight game for the first time since sweeping San Diego here Aug. 19-21.

Webb, who has not lost to the Giants since his final start of 2005, gave up three runs in the first inning, two earned, but reported good stuff that carried him through seven innings. He left after throwing 88 pitches.

"His velocity started to go down at the end, to some 85s, 86s. He was a little tired," Melvin said.

The D-Backs were down 3-1, when Chris Snyder walked and Chris Young singled in the second to set up Webb, who lined an 0-2 fastball over center fielder Randy Winn's head to tie the game.

Drew singled in Webb, and Upton followed with a 438-foot homer.

"We should bring him (Webb) up with runners in scoring position," Melvin said.

"They just got a pitch up, and I was able to square it up," said Webb, who has the most victories in the NL since Florida's Dontrelle Willis had 22 in 2005.

Webb has six RBIs against the Giants this season after getting a two-run single and a two-run double off Barry Zito in April.