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Webb keeps Diamondbacks rolling against Mets

Jun 2, 2007 - 2:40 AM FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets had a depleted starting lineup, but it may have made no difference the way Brandon Webb was pitching.

Webb tossed eight strong innings and Chris Snyder and Stephen Drew homered as the red-hot Diamondbacks extended their winning streak to eight games with a 5-1 victory over the Mets in the opener of a three-game series.

The Diamondbacks are enjoying their longest winning streak since a 12-game run from June 18-30, 2003, and have won 11 of their last 13 overall.

"You want to be the one to keep this thing going," Webb said.

Webb (5-3) defeated the Mets for only the second time in eight career decisions, allowing just an unearned run and four hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. The other win was in his first major league start in 2003, also at Shea Stadium.

"He had his good stuff going and handed it to us," Mets outfielder Ben Johnson said.

Ironically, Webb said he never felt completely comfortable after not getting a chance to throw a side session on an off day Thursday.

"My arm didn't feel very good at all. I didn't feel as good as what happened," Webb said. "But I got the pitches where I wanted to and there was great defense all around."

The starter has earned the victory in each game of Arizona's current winning streak.

Brandon Lyon worked around a leadoff walk to finish up in the ninth.

Jose Reyes had a pair of infield singles for the Mets, who lost for just the second time in seven games.

The Mets played without third baseman David Wright, who has back spasms, and center fielder Carlos Beltran, who was forced to leave Thursday's game with a bruised knee.

With outfielders Moises Alou and Shawn Green and second baseman Jose Valentin already on the disabled list, the Mets had a lineup that featured just three regulars - shortstop Jose Reyes, catcher Paul Lo Duca and first baseman Carlos Delgado.

"That's fine with me. Those guys can take the whole series off if they want. We'll take it," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "Whoever they put out there, they get a chance to win."

That lineup could do next to nothing against Webb until the eighth, when pinch hitter Ruben Gotay drove in the lone Mets' run with an RBI single. It scored David Newhan, who had reached on an infield single and went to second on a throwing error by third baseman Mark Reynolds.

Reyes single off the glove of Reynolds in the third but was thrown out trying to steal by Snyder on a pitchout. In the sixth, Reyes reached on a bunt single and stole second, but was left stranded when Endy Chavez struck out.

The only other Met in scoring position in the first seven innings was Julio Franco, who walked and stole second in the second. Webb ended the threat by striking out Newhan.

John Maine (6-2) took the loss despite six strong innings. He allowed two runs and five hits with no walks and struck out seven, but made the one fateful mistake to Snyder.

"I did a job, for the most part, getting the ball in," Maine said. "I left the one pitch over the plate."

Carlos Quentin doubled to left field with one out and the fifth and Snyder followed by belting a 1-2 pitch over the left-center field wall for his fourth homer.

"I love helping out with the offense, but my focus is on being behind the plate," Snyder said. "I'm just trying to hit the ball hard."

Arizona added three runs in the eighth off Guillermo Mota. Orlando Hudson and Reynolds singled with two outs before Drew hit his second homer of the season to right field.