![]() Chris Young congratulates Stephen Drew after Drew provided the big hit for the Diamondbacks, a three-run home run in the second inning. The blast made it 6-1.
ROSS D. FRANKLIN / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pioneer Landscaping Diesel Fleet Mechanic General Grocery/Market Mgr-Cafe/Restaurant Mgr Trades/Construction Pioneer Landscaping Yard Person/Loader Operator Trades/Construction Wentz and Patrick Construction Carpenters & Helpers Trades/Construction Pioneer Landscaping Yard Person/Loader Operator Engineering Knight Piesold & Co Engineer General ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE DISPATCHER/SECRETARY BaseballDIAMONDBACKS 8, ROCKIES 4
With help from Drew, Johnson labors to 287th career victoryThe Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.14.2008
PHOENIX — Backed by Stephen Drew's three-run homer, Randy Johnson went five shaky innings for his 287th career victory, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Colorado 8-4 Tuesday night.
Johnson (3-1) gave up four runs and nine hits, striking out four and walking none.
"Not his best stuff today, but he gives us five (innings), and we're in the lead when he leaves, and he ends up getting a win," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said.
Melvin said Johnson bruised his pitching hand trying to field a bouncer by Jeff Baker in the fourth. Johnson did not speak to reporters.
"He doesn't want to be a five-inning pitcher," Melvin said. "That's not what he's all about. He wants to be at least a seven-inning guy, so I know he was disappointed that he has to come out after five innings."
Chris Young had three hits as the Diamondbacks hammered Colorado starter Jeff Francis (0-4), a 17-game winner for the NL champions a year ago. Francis went 4 2/3 innings, his shortest start this season, and gave up eight runs and 13 hits, both season highs.
"They hit four singles to start off the game, and that's going to kill you," said Francis, whose ERA climbed one run to 6.27. "It's not like they hit four homers to start the game, but they put themselves in a position to score a lot of runs, and I couldn't put out the fire."
Garrett Atkins hit his seventh homer, and Ryan Spilborghs doubled twice for the Rockies, who fell nine games behind the NL West leaders.
The Diamondbacks are 18-5 against NL West teams; 6-10 against everyone else.
"It's good to be able to play well against our division," right fielder Justin Upton said. "We've seen these guys quite a few times, so we feel comfortable."
Arizona improved to 6-1 against Colorado, which swept the Diamondbacks in the NL Championship Series last fall. Francis beat Arizona in the opener of that series, but the Diamondbacks have shelled him in three meetings this year, piling up 20 runs and 32 hits — including seven homers — in 16 innings.
"This is three times he's faced this club, and they've squared him up pretty good," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said.
With Chase Field's roof open on a 77-degree night, the Diamondbacks pounced on Francis with four straight singles to open the first inning. Orlando Hudson, Conor Jackson and Mark Reynolds each had RBI singles as Arizona took a 3-0 lead.
Colorado cut it to 3-1 in the second on a single by Atkins, a double by Spilborghs and a sacrifice fly by Jeff Baker.
The Diamondbacks responded with three in the second. Johnson, a .167 hitter, led off with a drive off the base of the left field fence, but he stumbled as he rounded first and was held to a single.
Chris Young singled, and Drew followed by hitting a 1-0 delivery into the right field seats to give the Diamondbacks a 6-1 lead. It was Drew's fifth homer.
"It felt good with the team coming out early and putting up some runs," Drew said.
Drew often bats lower in the order against lefties. But he is hitting .412 (7 for 17) lifetime against Francis.
Melvin said he will probably keep Drew high in the batting order, against lefties and righties. "I think he thrives on hitting up in the lineup," Melvin said.
Colorado pulled within 6-4 in the fourth, opening the inning with five straight hits against Johnson. Atkins led off by hitting a 1-1 delivery 426 feet into the left field bleachers, and Baker and Jonathan Herrera added RBI singles.
|