Johnson’s 16 Are Not Sweet

Randy Johnson struck out 16 in seven innings to become the first pitcher to strike out 300 in four consecutive seasons, but the left-hander and the Arizona Diamondbacks fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-1, Thursday at Pittsburgh.

Kevin Young hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to help end Johnson’s eight-game winning streak.

Johnson (17-6), who gave up four runs and five hits, has 303 strikeouts. Tony McKnight (2-3), among four rookies in Pittsburgh’s lineup, pitched seven innings of four-hit shutout ball to overcome five walks and win for the first time in five starts.

Arizona’s lead in the National League West was cut to 1 1/2 games over San Francisco.

Atlanta 3, San Diego 2--Kevin Millwood (4-5) won consecutive starts for the first time since July 26 and Aug. 1, 2000, giving up two runs and six hits in seven innings at Atlanta.

B.J. Surhoff doubled leading off the sixth and scored the go-ahead run against rookie Brian Lawrence (3-3) on Brian Jordan’s sacrifice fly.

John Smoltz struck out the side in the ninth for his second save.

Cincinnati 12, St. Louis 2--Ken Griffey, Jr. had four hits, including a home run, and Pokey Reese drove in four runs at Cincinnati.

St. Louis completed the series 1-3 following an 11-game winning streak, joining Pittsburgh and Florida as the only visiting teams to lose series in Cincinnati this year.

Cardinal third baseman Albert Pujols became the 22nd major leaguer to hit 30 home runs in his rookie season.

Elmer Dessens (9-1) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. Rookie left-hander Bud Smith (3-2) gave up seven runs and 12 hits, both career highs, in 5 2/3 innings.

Milwaukee 8, Chicago 1--Mark Sweeney singled in two runs during a five-run first inning and the Brewers went on to hand the host Cubs their ninth loss in 13 games.

Milwaukee starter Jimmy Haynes left after one inning because of a strained muscle in his side.

Mac Suzuki (3-4), who gave up seven runs and six hits and threw three wild pitches Wednesday, replaced Haynes and worked 3 2/3 innings for the victory.

Cub starter Julian Tavarez (8-9) faced eight batters and gave up seven hits in one-third of an inning.

Houston 2, Philadelphia 1--Craig Biggio’s two-out single in the 11th inning drove in the go-ahead run at Philadelphia.

The Astros increased their lead over the Cubs in the NL Central to three games. The Phillies fell two games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East.