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Webb sharp in D-backs win

Apr 8, 2007 - 5:20 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks are counting on veteran arms and young bats to lead them to the top of the National League West this season. Both were on display against the Washington Nationals.

Reigning Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb shook off a rocky Opening Day start and scattered seven hits in seven innings as the Diamondbacks took the second game of a three-game set with the Washington Nationals, 7-1.

Webb (1-0) struck out eight and walked three, allowing only a controversial solo homer to Austin Kearns in the sixth inning. The veteran sinkerballer induced 11 ground-ball outs against just one flyout. He had given up five runs and eight hits in five innings in the season opener.

"Webbie was Webbie, he was great," Arizona manager Bob Melvin. "He had a great sinker and a good changeup tonight. Tonight he was difficult for them to deal with and he was real hard to hit."

Webb seemed to have no problem with temperatures that dropped into the low 30's and a swirling win.

"It was tough, it takes a little bit longer to loosen up," Webb said. "This is definitely the coldest weather I've ever pitched in, but once you get moving your fine. Mechanically, I felt better than the opener. I felt I had great command and my pitches were hitting their locations.

"I put in a little extra time in the bullpen before the game and it really helped. I really felt I was gonna be on tonight before the game. It just felt real good."

Kearns' homer appeared to curve foul and glance off a back wall before ricoceting off the foul pole. The umpires conferred, but the call was not overturned.

"What are you gonna do? I knew it was foul," Melvin said. "It seems (we) get burned a couple of times each year. At least the umps got together and discussed it."

The Diamondbacks jumped on top with three runs in the first off Nationals starter John Patterson. Chad Tracy, just 26, doubled in two runs and scored a run. Rookie Chris Young drove in his eighth run of the young season with a double in the sixth.

"It felt good," Tracy said. "He just left the ball over the plate. I was just trying to use the ballpark to my advantage and hit it to where they weren't positioned. I just squared up and hit it. It all worked out."

Patterson (0-2) settled down after the first, surrendering just the three runs and four hits in five innings.

"It's tough right now," Patterson said. "The good thing is my velocity isn't fluctuating, which is good. I just got to stay positive and keep working. It's early in the season and it's cold out there. I'm not worried at all."

Eric Byrnes hit his second homer of the season in the ninth inning, a solo blast off Washington closer Chad Cordero.

"Once again we couldn't get it going offensively," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "We just have to keep plugging away. It's tough right now, but we're supportive of each other. We just have to go out there and relax."