NATIONAL LEAGUE Glavine excited over last outing

He posted his first win since July 4, a 3-1 decision over Arizona.
PHOENIX (AP) -- Tom Glavine is trying to stop dwelling on the ugly past few months, and concentrate on a better finish to his rough first season in New York.
The 37-year-old left-hander took a big stride in that direction Friday night with his first victory since July 4, a solid six-inning performance in the Mets' 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"Mentally, I think it was helpful for me tonight," Glavine said. "Now I've got to try to continue to carry on, and try to finish the season on a strong note so I can feel good about myself and go into the winter with a more positive outlook."
Glavine (7-11) hadn't pitched since July 29 because of a strained oblique muscle. He allowed one run on four hits in six innings for his first win in six starts, and only his second victory in 10 decisions since May 18.
"I know he's not happy with the way things have gone to this point," New York manager Art Howe said, "but if he pitches even close to the way he did tonight, he's going to get his share of wins coming down the stretch."
Coming off injury
Glavine, who underwent daily treatment to get back in the rotation, said knowing he was coming off an injury aided his performance.
"It helped me figure out a little thing or two in my mechanics and helped me stay closed a little bit better," he said.
Whenever he felt a little tightness, he took it as a signal that he was stretching out too far. As a result, he looked like the baffling Tom Glavine of his Atlanta days.
"Just a crafty old veteran out there knowing exactly what he wanted to do," Arizona manager Bob Brenly said.
Glavine got his 249th career victory and Mike Stanton pitched the ninth for his third save. The Mets have won four of five and snapped the Diamondbacks' three-game winning streak.
"Nobody has fun when you're losing," said New York leadoff man Roger Cedeno, who was 3-for-5 with an RBI. "Now everything has started to click together."
Arizona rookie Brandon Webb (7-5) matched his career best with 10 strikeouts, allowed just three hits and left with a 1-0 lead and runners on first and third with one out in the seventh.
Cliff Floyd, pinch-hitting for Glavine, was fanned by lefty Mike Myers, but reliever Oscar Villarreal gave up an RBI double to Cedeno, then an RBI infield single by rookie Jose Reyes that put the Mets up 2-1.
Speed the difference
Reyes beat out an infield single that brought in the go-ahead run and extended his hitting streak to a career-best nine games.
"That's what speed will do for you," Howe said.
The Mets added another run on consecutive singles by Tony Clark, Timo Perez and Ty Wigginton off Eddie Oropesa in the eighth. New York went on to load the bases with one out before Jose Valverde, Arizona's fifth pitcher, got Raul Gonzalez and Cedeno to pop out.
Raul Mondesi was 2-for-4 with a triple and scored Arizona's only run in his third consecutive multihit game. He struck out with two runners on to end the game.
Webb equaled the 10 strikeouts he had in his first major league start April 27 -- against the Mets in Shea Stadium. But he walked five.
"I was frustrated with myself tonight," Webb said. "I've been walking way too many guys since I've been back [from the All-Star break]. The strikeouts are there, but it doesn't really mean anything when you walk five."
Webb, whose ERA is just 2.45, has walked 10 in his last two starts.
"He wasn't as sharp as he has been, but that being said, he still pitched well enough to win if we score some runs," Brenly said.
Notes
Glavine is tied with Vic Willis for 43rd on the career wins list and is two shy of Bob Gibson. He's ninth among left-handers, four behind Carl Hubbell's 253.
Webb struck out the side on 10 pitches in the third.
The Mets stole second twice despite Arizona pitchouts.