Cubs caught in Diamondbacks’ Webb

PHOENIX – Brandon Webb won the duel in the desert.

Webb shut down the Chicago Cubs with his superb sinker, and the young Arizona Diamondbacks got home runs from two of their kids in a 3-1 victory Wednesday night in their N.L. playoff opener.

Stephen Drew homered in the fourth off Chicago ace Carlos Zambrano, who was pulled after six innings and only 85 pitches.

Right after he left, Mark Reynolds homered on the fourth pitch from reliever Carlos Marmol to break a 1-all tie in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Conor Jackson added a sacrifice fly, and the Diamondbacks got two scoreless innings from their strong bullpen.

Webb, the reigning N.L. Cy Young Award winner, allowed four hits and struck out nine over seven outstanding innings in his postseason debut. He walked three and hit a batter.

“The most exciting game so far,” Webb said. “I was able to keep them off-balance. I had pretty good stuff tonight; great off-speed. Had some great strikeouts, key situations.”

The Cubs, in search of their first World Series title in 99 years, twice got the leadoff batter to second with no outs early in the game but came away empty.

Game 2 is tonight, with Ted Lilly on the mound for Chicago against Doug Davis.

Zambrano gave up four hits, struck out eight and walked one before he was lifted by manager Lou Piniella.

“He probably could have gone another inning. We’re bringing him back Sunday on three days’ rest,” Piniella said. “I took a shot with my bullpen. It didn’t work today. They’ve done it all year.”