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Webb tosses complete game as Diamondbacks end slide

Jun 1, 2008 - 3:28 AM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Brandon Webb got the Arizona Diamondbacks back on track in dominating fashion.

Webb tossed his first shutout of the season and Mark Reynolds homered twice as the Arizona Diamondbacks snapped a season-high five-game skid with a 4-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.

Webb (10-2) snapped a personal two-game slide while registering the 14th complete game and eighth shutout of his career. The 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner yielded just six hits and struck out eight without a walk.

After beginning the season by winning his first nine starts, Webb allowed a season-high seven runs in his last start against Atlanta on Monday.

"Its nice to get both of those done in one game," Webb said. "I struggled in Atlanta, with everything pretty much. To be able to come back and do that, the team has been struggling and hopefully this will jump-start us."

"Brandon's has been strong for us," right fielder Justin Upton said. "We came out today and happened to swing the bats well, and he pitched well so it all kind of came together for us."

Webb restored order in this one by outdueling Jason Bergmann (1-2). Ironically, it was Bergmann who entered on a roll. The righthander, who posted an 11.68 ERA before being demoted to the minors at the start of the season, entered having thrown 19 2/3 scoreless innings.

Bergmann's streak reached 21 innings before Reynolds smashed a one-out, solo home run to center in the second - his 10th of the season. After that slip-up, Bergmann settled down nicely.

Bergmann retired 14 of the next 16 hitters before Upton stretched the lead to 2-0 with a solo shot to left field in the seventh, and Reynolds followed with a blast to center.

Chris Young capped the scoring with a solo home run in the eighth, and Webb finished what he started. After recording the first two outs of the ninth, Webb allowed a single to Ryan Langerhans before striking out Willie Harris to end it.

Nationals manager Manny Acta was not too disappointed since Webb has dominated the league for most of the season.

"It's not just a against us," Acta said. "That's why he won the Cy Young. That's why he's so tough, were just one more team that falls in front of him. He's tough. It's nothing new. You've got to give him credit."

Bergmann allowed four runs and seven hits while striking out eight in eight innings.

"I felt pretty good," Bergmann said. "I felt real strong all game. Everything was working. (I had) good control of the slider ... fastball was good, it was hard, throwing down through the zone. I was very happy with my outing, aside for the home runs."

"Bergmann pitched a great game today," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "He makes a couple of pitches that were actually on the plate and end up finding the seats. Give him a lot of credit. He pitched a great game."