D-Backs notebook: Rain postpones Webb’s start until Friday

PITTSBURGH – Brandon Webb woke up Thursday as the Diamondbacks’ starting pitcher, but a look at the weather forecast on the computer in manager Bob Melvin’s office convinced him that waiting one more day was a good idea.

D-Backs win to remain in first place

“I didn’t want to go out and start it and throw maybe two innings and be done for the season,” said Webb, pushed back a day because of the possibility of rain.

“I’d rather come back (today) and throw a regular start. It obviously worked out well.”

Micah Owings pitched 6 1-3 shutout innings in an 8-0 afternoon victory over Pittsburgh before the rain finally hit, forcing him to leave the game after 88 pitches.

“The one guy you don’t want to lose is Webb,” Melvin said.

Webb said, if anything, another day off should help his preparation.

“I get an extra day. It won’t be a morning game,” he said.

Webb (17-10) has made five previous starts against Colorado this season, going 0-3 with a 6.47 ERA. Four of those starts were by May 21.

“I owe them for at least five games now. I owe them one. I’m definitely confident after going against the same lineup a bunch of times this year,” Webb said.

“They’ve been on me, but I hope I can come back with a strong one.”

Webb will oppose Colorado left-hander Jeff Francis, who is 7-1 in his career against the D-Backs.

“To an extent, there are horses for courses,” Melvin said. “But you can also look at it as good a pitcher as Brandon Webb is, he would turn the table on those guys some time. No matter what, you are not going to feel bad about Brandon Webb taking the mound.”

Said Eric Byrnes: “Colorado has been playing very well, so for us having our ace going tomorrow gives us a lot more confidence.”

OJEDA ON THE OFFENSIVE

Augie Ojeda has taken the second base position and run with it in Orlando Hudson’s absence, extending his hitting streak to six games with two singles Thursday and adding two alert base-running plays.

Ojeda beat out a routine grounder to second base to start a three-run second inning, then went from first base to third on a routine single to left field in the sixth, catching the left fielder napping.

“That’s just the way he plays, whether it is spring training, 10-to-nothing, one-to-nothing. That’s why he’s such an important piece for us,” Melvin said.

“He knows how to play the game. He prepares. He can run the bases. He’s going to give you a tough at-bat. He and Jeff Salazar are a lot alike. Both those guys kind of embody what we are trying to do here, what we are all about.”

Ojeda is hitting .364 over his last 12 games.

A NEW LOOK

D-Backs rookies were dressed in costume for the team flight to Denver after Thursday’s game, part of the annual hazing ritual performed by veterans in every clubhouse.

Among those with new identities, Miguel Montero was a cheerleader, Doug Slaten an elf, Justin Upton a baby, Mark Reynolds a nurse, Alberto Callaspo was a tooth fairy and Jeff Salazar was Superwoman. Doug Davis and Orlando Hudson were among the veterans who bought the costumes.

“We aren’t the first ones to do it. It’s a privilege to be able to do it,” Salazar said.

SHORT HOPS

The Diamondbacks lost all four coin flips held Thursday to determine home-field advantage if a one-game playoff is necessary to determine the NL wild card. …

Owings is the first pitcher since Whitey Ford to have two four-hit games in a season.