Webb outduels Peavy to remain unbeaten

ESPN.com

Updated: April 27, 2008

AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi

Brandon Webb outdueled Jake Peavy on Sunday, allowing only an unearned run in Arizona's 2-1 win.

WEBB WONDERFUL

By Mark Simon, ESPN Research

The weather was unusually warm in San Diego on Sunday, and that seemed to suit Diamondbacks starter Brandon Webb just fine. Webb continued his run of perfection, improving to 6-0 for the near-perfect Diamondbacks, and beating Padres ace Jake Peavy in the process. The D-backs are now an MLB-best 18-7.

MONDAY NIGHT BASEBALL
• Yankees at Indians, 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

The victories seem to have come easy for Webb this season, regardless of run support, game temperature or any other factors. He became part of a rare group of mound men to be 6-0 by the end of April. The secret to his success: Opponents are 3-for-34 against him this season with runners in scoring position. That included the last two outs of his outing Sunday, just enough for the Diamondbacks to squeak out yet another win.

'WEBB'ED FEAT
Brandon Webb notes:
• According to Elias: Fourth pitcher in MLB history to start 6-0 before the end of April.
• 17-2 career record in April, though 2008 was the first April in which he went 5-0. He's 54-53 in his career in other months.
• The Diamondbacks have won in his past eight starts, and are 28-12 in his starts since the beginning of the 2007 season.
• The Diamondbacks have won the past 17 times he's pitched six-plus innings, allowing zero or one run.

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: April 24 | April 23 | April 22 | April 21 | April 20 | April 17

FORWARD THINKING: MONDAY

Daniel Cabrera • Orioles at White Sox, 2:05 p.m. ET: Daniel Cabrera (2-0, 4.40 ERA) will make the start for the Orioles. He has allowed a combined five runs in his past three starts after giving up a combined 10 runs in his first two starts. He'll face Javier Vazquez (3-2, 4.40 ERA), who hasn't allowed a home run in his first five starts (30 2/3 innings pitched).

Johan Santana • Pirates at Mets, 7:10 p.m. ET: Ian Snell (2-1, 4.45 ERA) will get the call for the Pirates. He's pitched at least six innings in each of his first five starts. He'll be opposed by Johan Santana (3-2, 3.12 ERA), who is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in one start at home this season.

Bronson Arroyo • Reds at Cardinals, 8:15 p.m. ET: Bronson Arroyo (0-3, 7.56 ERA) will make the start for the Reds. He's winless in his past eight starts dating back to last season. He'll face Todd Wellemeyer (2-0, 3.77 ERA), who has allowed two runs in two starts (12 innings pitched) at home this year.

• Complete list of pitching probables for Monday's games


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BBTN ON THE AIR: MONDAY

TIME WHO'S ON?
10 p.m. ET
ESPN		 Host: Karl Ravech
Analysts: John Kruk, Buck Showalter, Eric Young
12:30 a.m. ET
ESPN		 Host: Karl Ravech
Analysts: John Kruk, Buck Showalter, Eric Young

BASEBALL TONIGHT MINUTE: RAYS FOR REAL?

SUNDAY DOUBLE PLAY

Every Sunday on the 12:30 p.m. ET "Baseball Tonight" show, Karl Ravech, John Kruk and Steve Phillips take part in the Sunday Double Play competition. Each of them selects a starting pitcher and a hitter to play for Sunday's games. They compete in three different categories -- wins, hits and home runs -- based on the results of their selections. The results are cumulative for the season.

This past Sunday's pitcher selections and results:

John: Felix Hernandez (loss)
Steve: Brett Myers (loss)
Karl: Justin Verlander (loss)

This past Sunday's hitter selections and results:

John: Todd Helton (2 hits, 0 HR)
Steve: Carlos Lee (0 hits, 0 HR)
Karl: Jeff Kent (Did not play)

Here are the standings after the first three Sundays:

Wins Hits HRs
John 1 7 0
Steve 1 4 0
Karl 1 3 1

Tune into "Baseball Tonight" on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET for the latest Sunday Double Play selections.

SUNDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES

GOOD
James Shields• James Shields tossed a complete-game two-hit shutout, lifting the Rays to a 3-0 win over the Red Sox and a sweep of their three-game series. Shields, who struck out seven and walked one, retired the final 11 batters he faced to record his first career shutout.
BAD
Livan Hernandez• Livan Hernandez gave up seven runs on nine hits, including two home runs, in 2 2/3 innings in the Twins' 10-0 loss to the Rangers. Hernandez has allowed 16 runs in his past three starts after giving up six runs in his first three starts.
UGLY
Ryan Garko• Ryan Garko went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and stranded three baserunners in the Indians' 1-0 loss to the Yankees. Garko is hitless in his past 19 at-bats.

FANTASY: PREVIEW OF MONDAY'S GAMES

Adam Madison examines the pitching matchups in store for the seven games on Monday's schedule in the American League and National League.

Fantasy Adam also looks at current injuries and details player reports that could help shape the way you put together your roster for Monday's games. Daily Notes

NEWS AND NOTES

• The Brewers optioned right-handed pitcher Dave Bush to Triple-A Nashville after their game against the Marlins. The move will allow the team to activate center fielder Mike Cameron on Tuesday, when he comes off a 25-game suspension for testing positive twice for a banned stimulant.

Scott Kazmir• Rays ace Scott Kazmir (left elbow) is scheduled to make a rehab start on Monday for Triple-A Durham. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said Kazmir will probably start Sunday's game for the Rays against the Red Sox in Boston.