Arizona's Webb makes it 8-0 in win over Phillies

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Brandon Webb pitched for his eighth successive win this season as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 on Thursday.

Right-hander Webb pitched a complete game, allowing just one run and three hits through his first eight innings, to become the first National League pitcher in 11 years to win his first eight starts of the season.

"To do that, you've got to have help, and I've had help from all aspects of our team," said Webb, who matched Pedro Martinez's 1997 feat.

"I'm just going to try to keep it going as long as I can."

Webb, the 2006 Cy Young award winner, was in control until the ninth when he allowed three hits and two runs.

He finished off his performance with a double play -- after his manager threatened him with replacement.

In contrast, Phillies pitcher Brett Myers struggled, allowing seven runs, six earned, in five innings.

The victory allowed Arizona to tie the four game series 2-2.

The league's official Web site (www.mlb.com) reported the right-hander had been discussing a possible contract extension, with the two sides "believed to be relatively close on the principles of the deal".

Webb's current contract runs through 2009 and the club retain an option for the 2010 season.

"Hopefully, it's not something that drags out too long and we can get something done," Webb told the Arizona Republic.

The win allows the Diamondbacks to finish 5-5 from a 10-game run of home encounters that included the Mets and the Phillies.

"These were two tough teams that came in," Arizona catcher Chris Snyder said.

"If we plan on playing in (the playoffs in) October, that's the kind of baseball we're going to see, the kind of teams we're going to face. It was definitely good to end on a win."

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; editing by Martin Petty)