John Clay’s Sidelines

Maybe we should bring a halt to the Webb Watch. After all, since we started keeping closer tabs on the what former UK star Brandon Webb is doing on a start-by-start basis, the Arizona left-hander has found himself in a prolonged skid.

The skid didn’t stop yesterday in Minnesota. Arizona lost 5-3. A misplay by Diamondbacks first baseman-turned-outfielder Connor Jackson led to a five-run fifth inning for the host Twins. That’s all Minnesota needed for a three-game sweep of spiraling Arizona.

Webb’s line:

IP    H    R   ER BB   K  HR  PC-ST   ERA
7.0    8    5    4    1    4    0    99-66    3.40

On the bright side, Brandon lasted seven innings for the first time in his last three starts. He pitched seven innings at Pittsburgh on June 6. In another positive, the outing was much better than last week against Oakland, when Webb allowed nine hits, five walks and seven earned runs in just 3 1/3 innings. His 99 pitches were the most since his complete-game, 113-pitch shutout of Washington on May 13.

On the negative side, Brandon has now lost four of his last six decisions since starting the year 9-0. His ERA of 3.40 is the highest of the season. In four June starts, he has allowed 15 earned runs in 22 1/3 innings, for an ERA of  4.71.

You have to wonder, at least a little bit, how the prolonged talks of a new contract with Arizona have affected Webb’s pitching. He cut them off last week, telling the Arizona Republic, “It’s gone on for five months. I’m tired of it. We’ve got 2 ½ years. If it comes down to that, I’ll be a free agent.”

Webb’s deal for $6.5 million annually runs through the 2009 season. The Diamondbacks have an $8.5 million option for 2010. Word is the two sides were talking of a three-year extension, but Webb admitted it has become a distraction.

"Yeah, it kind of is, trying to do stuff out there on the mound and not knowing if that's going to help you or hurt you in the meantime," he said. "That's why I didn't even want to go past spring training. . . . To have it done and over with, it's good to get it off my mind."

After such a great start to his season, Brandon Webb has indeed fallen on hard times. Last night was proof, as Arizona was routed 15-1 to visiting Oakland.

Webb's line:

IP     H    R  ER  BB  K  HR  PC-St    ERA
3.1    9    7    7    5    3    2    84-49    3.27

The 3 1/3 innings is his shortest outing of the year. The seven earned runs allowed is the most in a start this year. In his last two starts, Webb has allowed 10 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings, as his record dropped to 11-3.

This from the Arizona Republic:

Webb's previous start was a week ago against the Mets at Shea Stadium, and he lasted just five innings, throwing 58 pitches and exiting after being struck in the side by a drive off the bat of Carlos Delgado.

There also were whispers of a "dead arm," which every pitcher experiences during the course of the season.

Webb left the clubhouse before reporters were allowed in, but manager Bob Melvin and catcher Chris Snyder said Webb's arm was fine.

"He was where he was in April and early May. His stuff was there," Snyder said. "It was one of those nights where that stuff shouldn't happen."

Melvin said: "Oddly enough, he felt great. His velocity was back up.

"He had some trouble with the movement on his sinker at times, but they (Athletics) hit some good pitches."

Related links:

• A's hammer Arizona ace Webb. [San Jose Mercury-News]

• Webb, pen blasted by Athletics. [Arizona Republic]

• Webb lacks command. [MLB.com]

Here at the ol' blog, we're going to try and do a better job keeping up with and analyzing Brandon Webb's starts. He is a former Wildcat, after all. He's from Ashland. He's one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. And he's on his way to another spectacular year for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Going for his 12th win of the season, Webb got a no-decision last night as Arizona ended up losing at the New York Mets 5-3 in 13 innings. He was struck on the side by Carlos Delgado line drive and left an inning later.

Brandon's line:

IP     H    R  ER  BB  K   HR  NP-St   ERA
5.0    5    3    3    0    4    0    58-40    2.73

It was his second-shortest start of the 14 Brandon has made this season. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings back on May 26 in a 7-3 loss at Atlanta. Since that start, he had pitched 23 innings in his last three starts, allowing 12 hits and just two earned runs. He won both starts, lowering his ERA to 2.58. Last night, obviously didn't go quite as well. He threw just 58 pitches, a season-low.

In the Arizona Republic, Arizona manager Bob Melvin said afterward of the line drive, "He felt it a little bit, but at that point, the way we had been riding him, I didn't want to run him out there for two more innings and get his pitch counts up. Innings-wise he's pitched quite a bit for us. Just wanted to give him a little blow."

Webb said he might be experiencing a bit of a dead arm, saying, "Yeah, it doesn't hurt. Maybe a dead-arm period or something like that. Like I said, it doesn't hurt, so it's tough to tell. Everything feels good."

Next start: Tuesday, June 17, versus visiting Oakland.