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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, August 22, 2008

Webb takes a shot, but still wins 19th

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Arizona's Brandon Webb allowed three hits and struck out eight to beat San Diego for his major-league leading 19th victory.

ROSS D. FRANKLIN | Associated Press

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PHOENIX — It was a career night all around for Brandon Webb — the most victories he's ever racked up in a season, plus the hardest shot he's ever absorbed in the majors.

Webb pitched seven shutout innings for his career-high and major league-leading 19th victory last night in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 4-1 win over the visiting San Diego Padres.

He was also hit by a sharp comebacker from Kevin Kouzmanoff in the sixth. The ball ricocheted off Webb's chest but he picked it up and flipped it to Tony Clark to end the inning.

"This is the worst one, for sure," Webb said, describing the discomfort. "It got me pretty square, then I had to go toward first base but I had to get the out. As bad as it hurt, I just went after it and was able to make the play."

Arizona manager Bob Melvin said there was no cause for concern, not after trainers found no injury and Webb (19-4) joked about the shot in the dugout. Later, he showed it off for teammates in the postgame celebration.

"When we came inside, I said, 'I'm going to take my shirt off and give everybody high-fives,' " Webb said. "That was a good show."

A marvelous show, actually.

It was the sixth straight winning start for Webb, giving him eight wins in his last 11 starts. He allowed three hits with eight strikeouts, both tying season bests, as the Diamondbacks completed a three-game sweep.

"I've got a lot of confidence, especially with the guys hitting out there and playing defense behind me the way they are," Webb said. "I've been able to get down in the zone, low, and get a lot of ground balls and strikeouts."

Mets 5, Braves 4: Carlos Delgado tied his career high with five hits, the last a run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth that gave New York a victory over visiting Atlanta. The Mets increased their NL East lead to 2 1/2 games over Philadelphia.

Dodgers 3, Rockies 1: Derek Lowe allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings, and James Loney homered and had two RBIs as host Los Angeles salvaged the finale of a three-game series. The victory gave the Dodgers a 7-3 record on their 10-game homestand and remained two games back of NL West-leading Arizona.

Giants 4, Marlins 3: Emmanuel Burriss scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning for host San Francisco. Burriss drew a one-out walk from closer Kevin Gregg (6-6), stole second and took third on a fly out. Pinch-hitter Bengie Molina was intentionally walked, but Gregg's first pitch to Fred Lewis skipped past catcher John Baker, allowing Burriss to score standing up.

Nationals 4, Phillies 3: Austin Kearns hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth and visiting Washington snapped a 12-game losing streak. The Phillies blew an eighth-inning lead for the third time in nine days.

Cubs 3, Reds 2: Carlos Zambrano earned his 13th victory on the fourth try and homered to lift host Chicago. Zambrano (13-5) allowed a run and six hits in seven innings.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Twins 2, Angels 1: Nick Punto tripled and scored on a single by rookie Denard Span in the 12th inning, helping visiting Minnesota beat Los Angeles and pull within a half-game of the AL Central lead.

Blue Jays 14, Yankees 3: Roy Halladay beat the Yankees for the third straight time, Marco Scutaro hit a three-run homer, and host Toronto handed New York its worst loss of the season. New York's previous worst loss was 12-2 at home to Baltimore on May 20. Halladay (15-9) allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings. He walked two and matched a season high with nine strikeouts.

Indians 10, Royals 3: Cliff Lee won his AL-leading 18th victory and Grady Sizemore had a career-high seven RBIs for host Cleveland. Lee (18-2), who won his seventh straight decision, allowed three runs — two earned — and six hits in seven innings. The left-hander struck out seven and induced four double plays. Lee leads the league in winning percentage (.900) and ERA (2.43).

Athletics 2, Mariners 0: Emil Brown homered for visiting Oakland and Greg Smith allowed four hits over six innings for his first win since June. Carlos Gonzalez added an RBI single in the top of the ninth.

NOTES

Athletics: All-star right-hander Justin Duchscherer went back on the disabled list yesterday because of a strained hip. Duchscherer was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, because of a pain in the same hip on which he had surgery last summer.

Braves: Atlanta pitcher Tom Glavine underwent surgery on his left elbow and shoulder yesterday in New York, and is expected be ready for spring training. Glavine's partially torn tendon in his elbow was repaired by Dr. James Andrews, who also cleaned up Glavine's shoulder. The Braves said the left-hander should be able to start a throwing program by January.

Blue Jays: Utilityman Jose Bautista was acquired by the Toronto from Pittsburgh for a player to be named. The 27-year-old hit .242 with 12 homers and 44 RBIs in 107 games for Pittsburgh this season, then was demoted to Triple-A this month.

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