• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Webb eyes major-league best 14th win vs. Dodgers

Jul 20, 2008 - 3:23 PM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Three times this month, the Los Angeles Dodgers have held a share of first place with the Arizona Diamondbacks atop the National League West, but have not been able to overtaken them. With their lack of success against Brandon Webb, their prospects of tying the division leaders a fourth time appear slim.

Webb attempts to become the major league's first 14-game winner on Sunday when the Diamondbacks and Dodgers complete their three-game set at Chase Field.

With a wild 8-7, 11-inning comeback victory on Friday, Los Angeles forged a tie atop the division for the third time in July.

However, just like the first two times they closed the gap on the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers went on to lose the next game. Saturday's 3-2 loss was no exception as Arizona received seven scoreless frames from Dan Haren to keep Los Angeles at bay.

Given the amount of success he has enjoyed over his career against the Dodgers, Webb (13-4, 3.23) stands a solid chance at increasing Arizona's division lead to two games. The three-time All-Star selection has won his last seven starts against the Dodgers and owns a 9-3 record with a 2.78 ERA against them in 14 career starts.

The righthander did not figure into the decision in his start last Sunday despite allowing two runs and seven hits over seven frames in a 6-3 setback to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Los Angeles will counter with Derek Lowe (7-8, 3.85), who was still a member of the Boston Red Sox when the Dodgers last defeated Webb on September 7, 2004. The sinkerballer will be chasing his third win in as many starts after permitting just one run and two hits with four strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings in a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 9.