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Diamondbacks turn to Webb to halt five-game slide

May 31, 2008 - 1:25 PM Washington (24-32) at Arizona (30-25) 8:10 p.m. EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Through the first 1 1/2 months of the season, every time Brandon Webb took the mound, the Arizona Diamondbacks won. Now, they desperately need their ace to stop the bleeding that started with his last start.

Webb attempts to halt the Diamondbacks' five-game losing streak on Saturday as they continue their three-game set with the Washington Nationals.

Webb (9-2, 3.01 ERA) won each of his first nine starts, but has dropped consecutive starts for the first time since August 28-September 2, 2007.

After rolling to 6-0 record and a 1.98 ERA through his last April start, the month of May seen the sinkerballer struggle somewhat, permitting three runs in three of his last five outings after doing it just once before.

The 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner endured his worst outing of the season in his last turn on Monday. He allowed season highs in runs (seven) and hits (10) while lasting a season-low 4 1/3 innings in a 7-3 setback to Atlanta.

On Saturday, he'll be facing a pitcher in Jason Bergmann (1-1, 4.50), who has been dominant in his three starts since returning from a month-long stint in the minors. He threw 5 2/3 innings - striking out eight - in the Nationals' 11-inning, 4-3 loss to Milwaukee on Monday.

The righthander, who staggered to an 11.68 ERA in three April starts before getting sent down, has responded with 19 2/3 scoreless innings over his next three outings, striking out 22 in the process.