Former Dodgers pitching prospects Ethan Martin and Allen Webster were drafted together in 2008, played together for parts of two seasons in '11 and '12, and ultimately were both traded -- but to different places.

In the former teammates' first meeting as foes, Martin won out, fanning eight batters over seven two-hit innings in Double-A Reading's 5-0 road win in Portland. As a result, the R-Phils clinched at least a tie for a Eastern League playoff spot.

"When he got traded I called him and told him what it was going to be like, being traded," Martin said of Webster. "Actually lining up to pitch against each other was kind of crazy in a way; we pitched over half of the year together. We joked about it the last couple days."

And when the two meet up Monday, will Martin make use of his new-found bragging rights?

"I probably won't hold it against him," he said.

Now ranked as the Phillies' sixth-ranked prospect, Martin (5-0) retired 10 straight Sea Dogs after Marquez Smith's first-inning single, then sat down his final nine following Xander Bogaerts' leadoff knock in the fifth. He threw 67 of his 93 pitches for strikes. He enjoyed command of his fastball, curveball and slider.

When Martin asked his Reading coaches whether he could pitch the eighth frame, he was told: "Simmer down. You're going to have another start."

Sent from Los Angeles to Philadelphia in a July 31 non-waiver deadline deal, the 23-year-old right-hander -- a first-round draftee in 2008 -- had gone 8-6 and fashioned 3.58 ERA in 20 games for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts before switching organizations. His nine strikeouts Sunday matched a season high, which he reached on three occasions.

Through seven appearances with the R-Phils, Martin hasn't been defeated while accumulating a 3.18 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 39 2/3 scoreless innings.

"I feel like I'm proving myself all over again," he said, "just like when I got drafted. It's been an interesting last month. I am happy to be where I'm at."

Webster (0-1), who was shipped from Los Angeles to Boston in the blockbuster August trade, gave up five runs on seven hits over five frames. He struck out seven and walked two. This was his second outing with his new team.

Reading reliever Tyler Knigge pitched the final two frames, giving up one hit for a combined three-hit shutout.