Johnson Blanks Mariners in Return

Randy Johnson pitched a shutout in his first appearance at the ballpark he helped create.

The 6-foot-10 left-hander struck out 10 and gave up eight hits Tuesday night in the 25th shutout of his career, returning to Seattle to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 6-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

Johnson (10-7), who won for the first time in seven starts since June 14, lowered his National League-leading earned-run average to 2.65.

He was 70-32 at the Kingdome from 1989-98 and helped build momentum for a new ballpark when he led Seattle to the American League playoffs in 1995.

He was traded to the Houston Astros in a contract dispute last July 31, signed with the Diamondbacks during the off-season and returned triumphantly on the sixth night of the $517.6-million stadium.

Toronto 11, Atlanta 6--Darrin Fletcher hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the sixth inning as the Blue Jays rallied to complete a three-game sweep at Toronto.

Minnesota 4, St. Louis 2--Brad Radke pitched 7 1/3 strong innings and Jacque Jones homered and had two runs batted in as the Twins won at St. Louis despite Mark McGwire’s 32nd home run, a solo shot in the ninth inning.

Cleveland 7, Houston 1--Manny Ramirez hit a three-run homer at Houston and became the first player this season to reach 100 RBIs, helping the Indians end the Astros’ eight-game losing streak.

New York Yankees 7, Montreal 4--Paul O’Neill hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning and the Yankees scored four unearned runs at New York to give Roger Clemens his first win in three weeks.

Baltimore 4, New York Mets 1--Sidney Ponson pitched a six-hitter and Albert Belle hit his 20th homer for the Orioles at Baltimore.

Boston 7, Florida 1--Jason Varitek drove in four runs and Brian Rose stopped Boston’s streak of poor starts with seven strong innings, giving up only one run and four hits at Boston.

Cincinnati 5, Detroit 2--Greg Vaughn homered and Sean Casey doubled in two runs for the Reds at Cincinnati.

Tampa Bay 5, Philadelphia 4--Fred McGriff hit a 13th-inning sacrifice fly at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Chicago Cubs 8, Kansas City 7--Reliever Scott Sanders gave up one run in 4 1/3 innings and singled home the go-ahead run in the fifth as the Cubs rallied from a three-run deficit at Chicago to end a three-game losing streak.

Milwaukee 5, Chicago White Sox 4--Alex Ochoa hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning as the Brewers overcame a four-run deficit at Milwaukee.

Around the Majors

Juan Carlos Diaz, one of two players declared free agents after the Dodgers broke a ban against getting them out of Cuba, worked out with the Boston Red Sox. General Manager Dan Duquette said he was considering making an offer to the power hitter, who played with the Dodgers’ double-A team at San Antonio. He said he believed that other teams had held tryouts for Diaz and made offers. He also said the team plans to hold a tryout for Josue Perez, the other Cuban declared a free agent late last month by Commissioner Bud Selig. . . . Mariano Duncan, a 12-year veteran who last played in the majors in 1997, signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins. . . . The Houston Astros placed infielder Jack Howell on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Sunday because of a wrist injury. . . . The Tampa Bay Devil Rays acquired minor-league pitcher Martin Barnett from the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named.