Big Unit Beats Phillies In Return

Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins noticed a big difference in the Big Unit. After missing a start because of tendinitis in his left forearm, Randy Johnson limited Philadelphia to one hit in six shutout

Thursday, May 31st 2007, 7:45 am

By: News On 6

Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins noticed a big difference in the Big Unit. After missing a start because of tendinitis in his left forearm, Randy Johnson limited Philadelphia to one hit in six shutout innings in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 4-3 victory over Jamie Moyer and the Phillies on Wednesday night.

``That was a new Randy Johnson tonight,'' Rollins said. ``He had a real good slider, not a real good fastball, but he was hitting his spots.''

The 43-year-old Johnson (3-2) allowed only Pat Burrell's second-inning single, struck out six and didn't walk a batter. The five-time Cy Young winner's back stiffened late in his 61-pitch outing.

``I knew I was good enough to pitch,'' Johnson said. ``The first couple of innings I was kind of reluctant, kind of hesitant of letting things go. As the game progressed, I started getting better.''

In other NL games, it was: San Francisco 3, New York 0; Cincinnati 4, Houston 3; Los Angeles 5, Washington 0; St. Louis 8, Colorado 4; San Diego 9, Pittsburgh 0; Atlanta 9, Milwaukee 3; and Florida 9, Chicago 0.

Eric Byrnes homered twice to help visiting Arizona sweep the three-game series and extend its winning streak to seven games.

``There's too much talent in here to not think they're capable of doing that,'' Johnson said.

Phillies slugger Ryan Howard, held out of the starting lineup because of a cramp in his left leg, lined into a double play as a pinch-hitter in the ninth off Jose Valverde to end the game. Earlier this month, Howard beat Arizona with a pinch-hit grand slam.

The Phillies lost their third straight to drop to 26-27.

``I'm concerned about our team. I'm worried,'' manager Charlie Manuel said. ``We've got to improve and stop making mistakes.''

Johnson and the 44-year-old Moyer (5-4), former Seattle teammates, broke their own record for the matchup of the oldest lefties at a combined 88 years, 90 days.

Byrnes hit his seventh homer of the season on the first pitch of the game, then went deep in the eighth on the first pitch of the at-bat.

Moyer allowed eight hits in 7 2-3 innings. He left after rookie Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer that made it 4-0.

Philadelphia scored three runs in the ninth on Rollins' two-run triple, and Burrell's RBI single.

Giants 3, Mets 0

Barry Zito outpitched Tom Glavine over seven sharp innings, and visiting San Francisco snapped a four-game losing streak.

Zito (5-5) struck out a season-high seven, holding the Mets to six hits and one walk, and Brad Hennessey got three outs for his second save. Pedro Feliz drove in all three runs, and Rich Aurilia tied a career high with four hits.

Glavine (5-3) went seven innings in his second attempt at career win No. 296.

Barry Bonds returned to the lineup for the Giants. He went 1-for-3 with a walk to remain 10 homers shy of breaking Hank Aaron's career record of 755.

Reds 4, Astros 3

Aaron Harang pitched a six-hitter for his first complete game of the season, and Cincinnati handed host Houston its 10th consecutive loss.

Alex Gonzalez had three hits and two RBIs for the Reds. The Reds scored three runs in the first inning off Wandy Rodriguez (2-5).

Harang (6-2) is 6-0 in his last seven starts against the Astros. He struck out seven, retired 14 in a row between the second and seventh innings and pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth career complete game.

Dodgers 5, Nationals 0

Derek Lowe pitched seven scoreless innings, reached base three times and scored once to help visiting Los Angeles shut out Washington for the second straight game.

Lowe (5-5) combined with Joe Beimel and Rudy Seanez on a four-hitter.

Lowe had little trouble in his seven-inning stint. He gave up three hits, struck out five and walked two, while allowing only one batter past first base.

Mike Bacsik (1-1) took the loss.

Cardinals 8, Rockies 4

At Denver, Todd Wellemeyer earned a victory in his first major league start, and Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds hit back-to-back homers in the fifth to help St. Louis end Colorado's seven-game winning streak.

Wellemeyer (1-0) lasted five innings, giving up seven hits _ two on solo homers by Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe _ and three runs.

St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen pitched a perfect ninth in a non-save situation. Jason Hirsh (2-5) was the loser.

Padres 9, Pirates 0

Former Pirates farmhand Chris Young dominated host Pittsburgh again, allowing four hits over seven innings for San Diego.

Young (6-3) walked one and struck out seven. He has allowed seven hits in 23 2-3 career innings against Pittsburgh.

Khalil Greene's grand slam in the eighth gave San Diego a 7-0 lead.

Paul Maholm (2-7) was the loser.

Braves 9, Brewers 3

At Milwaukee, Brian McCann hit a go-ahead, three-run double in a seven-run eighth, and Atlanta sent the Brewers to their seventh loss in eight games.

Tim Hudson (6-3) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings for the Braves. Kelly Johnson was 3-for-4 with his seventh home run and two RBIs.

NL Central-leading Milwaukee has lost 14 of 19 following a 24-10 start. Derrick Turnbow (1-3) was the loser. Prince Fielder hit his NL-leading 18th homer.

Marlins 9, Cubs 0

Dan Uggla hit two home runs, and Miguel Cabrera and Josh Willingham also homered for visiting Florida.

Marlins starter Sergio Mitre hobbled off the field with a cramp in his right hamstring after running out a sacrifice bunt in the fifth. Randy Messenger (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Ted Lilly (4-3) was the loser.