Byrd Turns the Tables on Johnson

Even before the first pitch, it looked like a mismatch. And it was--Randy Johnson was no match for Paul Byrd.

Byrd, claimed off waivers only three days earlier, outshined Johnson with a four-hitter and hit an run-scoring single off Johnson, leading the Philadelphia Phillies over the Houston Astros, 4-0, Monday night at Philadelphia.

“I’m a Christian and I know all about the David and Goliath story,” Byrd said. “I guess you could say it was similar to that tonight. He’s a giant.”

Johnson (3-1) had breezed in the NL since being traded by Seattle on July 31 and was coming off two consecutive shutouts, including one against the Phillies. But the 6-foot-10 ace was nowhere close to his usual, dominant self after striking out leadoff man Doug Glanville.

“I went out there and was a little flat,” Johnson said. “I struggled with my mechanics and my fastball.

“I think I threw more change-ups than I had all year,” he said. “The reason for that was I didn’t really feel I had a whole lot of anything else out there.”

Pitching at Veterans Stadium for the first time since facing Mike Schmidt and the Phillies in early 1989, Johnson seemed uncomfortable on a mound that had been covered during an all-day rain.

Johnson left after the fifth trailing, 3-0, after giving up six hits, four walks and just three strikeouts. In his previous 25 innings for the Astros, he had walked four and struck out 33.

If the crowd of 18,975--held down by the weather--came out to see a great pitching performance, it saw it from Byrd as he pitched his first major league shutout.

Byrd (1-0) had pitched only once in the majors this season, making an ineffective relief appearance for Atlanta on April 19, and was claimed on waivers last Friday after going 5-5 at triple-A Richmond.

Arizona 6, Montreal 1--David Dellucci hit a three-run triple and Andy Benes won his fourth consecutive start as the Diamondbacks defeated the slumping Expos at Phoenix.

Benes (11-11) limited the Expos to one run and three hits in eight innings, dropping Montreal to 0-7 on its trip. He retired his final 13 batters, reaching .500 for the first time since he was 3-3 in mid-May.

Alan Embree completed the three-hitter with a perfect ninth. Arizona has given up only five hits in its last two games, including a 6-1 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.

Colorado at New York--The game between the Mets and Rockies at New York was postponed by rain, forcing the Mets to play three doubleheaders within a four-day span.

The Mets and Rockies will make up the rainout as part of a doubleheader today at 2 p.m. Because of rain earlier this season, the Mets already have doubleheaders scheduled against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday and Friday nights.