Thank God for Brandon Webb

On Wednesday, the Diamondbacks beat the Giants 4-1 behind the strong pitching of Brandon Webb, improving their team record to 11-4 and Webb's record on the season to 4-0.

Webb also picked up 2 RBIs as an added bonus.

Am I surprised? Not in the least bit. Brandon Webb, at the age 29, is only in the very beginning stages of his prime. And he is one of the two most dominant pitchers in baseball, along with Johan Santana.

He is the latest in a line of superb pitchers that the Diamondbacks have become known for possessing in their 10-year history. How dominant is he? Let me count the ways . . .

• Since the beginning of the 2006 season, he has induced a mind-boggling 51 ground-ball double plays.

• Last year he logged an insane 42 1/3 scoreless innings streak, good enough for the fifth-longest in the majors in 1940.

• Since the beginning of the 2006 season, his record in the regular season is 38-18, with an ERA of 2.99.

• During the same time span, he has only given up 28 home runs.

• During the same time span, he only walked 130 batters and hit only 11 batters.

• Between September 16th and October 23rd, 2007, the Colorado Rockies lost a grand total of ONE game. Who was the winning pitcher in the Rockies' one loss? Brandon Webb.

Just how dominant is Brandon Webb? Think 1999 Pedro Martinez. Think 1960s Sandy Koufax. It's reached the point where if Brandon Webb is pitching, I'm more than confident that the Diamondbacks will win. It's also reaching the point where I will have to watch the game if he is pitching. I'm afraid of missing greatness.

Since the beginning of the Diamondbacks franchise, I have been privileged to watch some great pitchers. Andy Benes was the lone bright spot in the 1998 pitching staff. Todd Stottlemyre was as fierce a competitor as they come, but due to disappointing shoulder injuries didn't pan out like expected. Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson brought us a World Series title amidst lights-out starts. And Brandon Webb is beginning to do the same. The best part? He's only 29. The message to D-Backs GM Josh Byrnes? Hang on to this guy.