Webb Stops Reds, Improves to 8-0

The days Brandon Webb starts are becoming Arizona Manager Bob Melvin’s favorites.

Webb became the first Diamondbacks pitcher to start 8-0 when he threw his second consecutive shutout, a 3-0 victory over the Reds on Friday night at Cincinnati.

“It’s making my job easy,” said Melvin, whose only move was inserting Tony Clark as a defensive replacement at first base in the ninth. “I can just sit back and watch. I know he’s not going 50-0, but he’s on quite the roll.”

The sinker-throwing Webb gave up seven hits and induced 17 ground-ball outs -- seven by shortstop Craig Counsell, including two double plays -- to become the major leagues’ first eight-game winner. He beat Atlanta, 13-0, on May 20 with a four-hitter.

“Counsell played a great game,” Webb said. “Our defense has been awesome. I’m able to relax out there.”

Webb, who entered the game leading the National League with an average of one walk per nine innings, matched that and had five strikeouts while earning his 11th victory in his last 12 decisions.

Randy Johnson started the 2000 season 7-0 for Arizona.

San Diego 7, St. Louis 1 -- Mike Piazza, Dave Roberts and Adrian Gonzalez homered, and Clay Hensley (3-3) threw eight strong innings to lead the Padres to victory at San Diego. Albert Pujols drove in St. Louis’ only run with a single in the third.

San Francisco 9, Colorado 0 -- Barry Bonds remained tied with Babe Ruth at 714 home runs for his fourth consecutive game, and Ray Durham drove in three runs with two doubles in the Giants’ victory over the Rockies at San Francisco.

Florida 5, New York 1 -- Josh Johnson (4-2) outpitched Pedro Martinez (5-1) and had a career-high eight strikeouts to lead the Marlins to their fourth victory in a row at Miami.

Pittsburgh 12, Houston 5 -- Jason Bay homered for the fourth consecutive game and drove in four runs, and the host Pirates pounded out 16 hits in sending the Astros to a fourth consecutive loss.

Milwaukee 6, Philadelphia 5 -- Prince Fielder’s run-scoring single against Tom Gordon (2-2) in the 10th inning sent the Brewers past the Phillies at Philadelphia.

Atlanta 6, Chicago 5 -- The Braves rallied for three runs in the ninth inning when second baseman Neifi Perez mishandled a relay and then threw it away, taking the lead and defeating the Cubs at Wrigley Field.