John Clay’s Sidelines

Brandon Webb didn’t just win his Major League-best 17th game yesterday, mastering Atlanta 6-1, he starred at the plate.

The ex-UK star stroked a two-run double, his second two-bagger of the season. Sweeter still, the hit came after the Braves walked Louisville native Chris Burke to get to Webb.

Brandon now has seven RBI on the year. He’s hitting .157, with eight hits in 51 at-bats. Not exactly Carlos Zambrano, with his three homers for the Cubs, but not awful.

Of course, normally, Webb works his wonders from the mound. He went six innings yesterday, allowing just one run on six hits.

Here’s the lead from Don Ketchum’s game story in the Arizona Republic:

“If there was any doubt about pitcher Brandon Webb's value to the Diamondbacks, it should be erased after his effort Sunday.

The right-hander took the weight of four consecutive losses, a season-ending wrist injury to second baseman Orlando Hudson the night before and the seemingly unyielding pressure from the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers and put it squarely on his shoulders.”

Notes:

• Brandon has allowed three earned runs over 23 innings in his last three starts.
• That’s an ERA of 1.17
• He has recorded wins in his last four starts.
• His ERA is down to 2.88, first time it has been sub-3.00 since June 11.
• Webb needs one more win to match his career high of 18, set last year.
• Webb now has a three-game lead on Colorado's Aaron Cook, second in the NL with 14 wins.
• Cleveland's Cliff Lee leads the AL with 16 victories.