After splitting the first two games of the series with San Diego the Arizona Diamondbacks desperately needed to take this game if they had any chance of climbing back into the play-off picture. It was already bleak as they had been eliminated from the National League Western Division picture but there was still a small glimmer of hope that the wild card race could become so confusing that somehow the Diamondbacks would find their way stumbling into the post season. The team had the perfect opportunity as Brandon Webb would be on the mound for today’s game. This would be his opportunity to show why he should be considered as a front-runner for the National League Cy Young award and give the Diamondbacks a series win over the Padres.
Brandon Webb would face Woody Williams so on paper at least it looked as though the edge would have to go to Arizona. That assessment did not last long as the Padres jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning with Mike Cameron hit a triple which scored Mike Piazza and Russell Branyan. Geoff Blum followed that up with a sacrifice fly to Eric Byrnes in center field. Brandon Webb then settled down and threw seven strong innings striking out 4 while walking only 1 and giving up 5 hits. Unfortunately the Diamondbacks offense took the day off only able to muster 5 hits off Williams and no hits after the fifth inning. The lone run came when Conor Jackson singled to center scoring Orlando Hudson. So with only two starts remaining, Brandon Webb sees his chances for a Cy Young take a hit as did the Diamondbacks chances to gain ground in the NL West. The road doesn’t get any easier for Arizona as they catch a flight from San Diego to Los Angeles to play a three game weekend series against the Dodgers.
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