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Webb, Cook to square off in series finale

May 15, 2008 - 2:16 PM Colorado (15-25) at Arizona (25-15) 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - While a fast start by Brandon Webb hardly registers as a surprise, few thought Aaron Cook could give him a run for his money as the National League's best starting pitcher near the quarter point of the season.

Webb eyes his ninth win in as many starts on Thursday when his Arizona Diamondbacks meet Cook and the Colorado Rockies in the finale of a three-game set.

Webb (8-0, 2.41 ERA) became the first pitcher to win his first eight starts since Jon Garland of the White Sox did so in 2005 and the first in the NL since Pedro Martinez accomplished the feat for the Montreal Expos in 1997.

Fast starts are becoming routine for the Arizona ace as he raced off to a 6-0 start in 2005 and followed that up with an 8-0 start in 2006 through 11 starts. The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner has been greatly aided by his offense this season, a unit which has provided him an average of 5.4 runs in his eight starts.

The sinkerballer allowed three runs - two earned - and struck out four but did not walk a batter in his first complete game of the year in an 8-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies last Thursday. Another win in this contest would already be his third victory in three starts vs. the Rockies in 2008.

Over his last six turns, Cook (6-1, 2.26) has matched his fellow sinkerballer win for win. The righthander, who has posted a 1.90 ERA during his six-start winning streak, allowed only one run and four hits, working around a season-high four walks in Friday's 4-2 win over San Diego.