McGwire’s Drought Continues

Last season, as a member of the Oakland Athletics, Mark McGwire hit the longest home run in Seattle Kingdome history against Randy Johnson.

In their first meeting since, McGwire set a National League record.

He drew a walk against Johnson in the third inning Saturday, giving the single-season home run king an NL-record 152 bases on balls.

But McGwire was hitless in three at-bats, two against Johnson (8-1), and the Houston Astros rallied for a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, reducing their magic number to clinch the NL Central title to one.

McGwire, who struck out three times, is one for 12 since hitting his 62nd homer Tuesday.

The matchup between McGwire and Johnson, however, almost didn’t happen as Johnson became ill Friday night.

“I’m just happy the game is over,” Johnson said. “I guess that’s a testament to the fact you don’t have to throw 95 [mph] to win. Today, I didn’t have a lot of energy or my big fastball.”