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Webb, Diamondbacks defeat Reds in opener

Mar 31, 2008 - 11:46 PM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Brandon Webb did his part to spoil Dusty Baker's managerial debut with the Cincinnati Reds.

Webb pitched six effective innings Monday as the Arizona Diamondbacks held on for a 4-2 season-opening victory over the Reds.

Baker, who won 1,162 games over his 14-year managing career, returned to the dugout after not managing last season. In 2006, he was fired after four seasons as manager of the Chicago Cubs.

A former Cy Young Award winner, Webb made sure Baker did not enjoy his return. The righthander yielded two runs and three hits with six strikeouts over his 90-pitch outing.

"I had a really good changeup today and got some big strikeouts on it," Webb said. "I was able to throw it for strikes at times as well."

Webb, however, did uncharacteristically issue four walks in this one.

"My fastball was a little erratic at times," he said. "But I was able to get some ground balls off of it."

With Arizona holding a 1-0 advantage in the third inning, Chris Young crushed a solo home run to the upper deck in left field off Reds starter Aaron Harang.

After Orlando Hudson flied out, Eric Byrnes belted a solo shot to left-center, extending Arizona's advantage to 3-0.

"Those two were the biggest pitches of the game, and they cost me," Harang said of the home runs. "Luckily they were both solo, but if you get runners on they are going to hurt me more."

Jeff Salazar also hit a solo shot in the seventh inning off Reds reliever Jared Burton to provide the final margin.

The Reds cut into the lead in the fourth, as Brandon Phillips smacked an RBI triple and scored on Adam Dunn's groundout.

Phillips' hit could have been held to a single but was misplayed by Young in center field, allowing the ball to roll to the wall.

Chad Qualls and Tony Pena each tossed a perfect frame to bridge the gap to new Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon, who struck out two in a flawless ninth to register his first save of the season and 26th career.

Harang also lasted six frames, yielding three runs - two earned - and three hits with two walks. The righthander also struck out six.

After the loss, Baker lamented missed opportunities, such as Harang failing to get a bunt attempt down with a man on first and no one out in the third.

"Whenever you are playing close ballgames you gotta take advantage of almost every situation," Baker said.

Defense also hurt the Reds, as the Diamondbacks opened the scoring in the first after a throwing error by third baseman Edwin Encarnacion.