Mariners’ Johnson Becomes 12th Pitcher to Strike Out 300

The Seattle Mariners’ Randy Johnson struck out 13 batters in 10 innings Sunday, and in doing so became the 12th pitcher to strike out 300 batters in a season. Johnson got No. 300 when he struck out Ruben Sierra swinging in the ninth, then struck out Scott Lydy to end the 10th.

The last pitcher to accomplish the feat was Nolan Ryan with 301 in 1989.

Despite Johnson’s 13-strikeout, 10-inning performance, the Oakland Athletics beat the Mariners, 3-2, in 12 innings.

“I’ve been telling you guys all along that strikeouts are overrated,” Johnson said. “The bottom line is we didn’t win today.”

Johnson, 30, joined an American League group of Vida Blue, Bob Feller, Walter Johnson, Mickey Lolich, Sam McDowell, Ryan and Rube Waddell. Steve Carlton, Sandy Koufax, J.R. Richard and Mike Scott struck out 300 in the National League.

Johnson gave up two runs and four hits.

Johnson, who usually wears No. 51, wore No. 34 as a tribute to Ryan, whose career ended with a torn ligament in his right elbow Wednesday night in the Kingdome.