Johnson Strikes First, Then Dellucci

Randy Johnson struck out 13 in the first five innings, then didn’t fan anyone in the sixth as Houston tied the score.

He never got to the seventh.

Arizona Manager Bob Brenly pinch-hit for him with the go-ahead run in scoring position. It turned out to be a good decision when Dave Dellucci singled home the tiebreaking run Wednesday at Houston in a 3-2 victory over the Astros.

“That wasn’t one of the easiest decisions because of the way Randy was pitching,” Brenly said. “But the last time I checked, you have to score more runs than the other team to win.”

Earlier in the game, Johnson singled in a run.

“We made the decision that if the winning run was on base, we would pinch-hit,” Brenly said. “They had nobody up in the bullpen, so we knew we’d have a lefty against a right-hander, which is what we wanted.”

With the score 2-2, Damian Miller singled with one out, took second on Steve Finley’s single and scored on Dellucci’s two-out hit to center.

Johnson (11-5), who gave up four hits in six innings, reached double digits in strikeouts for the 14th time in 19 starts and the 162nd time in his career, second to Nolan Ryan’s 215. Johnson has won six of his last seven starts.

Philadelphia 4, Atlanta 1--Pat Burrell hit a three-run homer, and David Coggin held the Braves to three hits over seven innings at Atlanta as the Phillies increased their National League East lead to two games over the Braves.

The Phillies, winning for the sixth time in seven games, took a 3-1 lead with no outs in the sixth on Burrell’s 418-foot shot into left-center field.

Coggin, a rookie right-hander, walked none, struck out six and retired the final 15 batters he faced.

St. Louis 7, Milwaukee 2--Emergency starter Mike Matthews gave up three hits in 6 2/3 innings at Milwaukee, and the Cardinals ended Ben Sheets’ personal six-game winning streak.

Fernando Vina hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs for the Cardinals, who snapped a season-high six-game losing streak and won for only the third time in nine games against Milwaukee.

Matthews (3-3), starting in place of Darryl Kile, who had a stiff back, took advantage of the Brewers’ free-swinging ways to record a personal best eight strikeouts in his eighth major league start.

New York 2, Chicago 1--Glendon Rusch (4-5) gave up one run and five hits in seven innings and added a run batted in at New York to get his first win since beating Montreal on May 21.

Armando Benitez got three consecutive outs for his 17th save. Robin Ventura had a sacrifice fly.

Pittsburgh 14, Cincinnati 3--Brian Giles homered twice at Cincinnati after his selection for the All-Star game, and the Pirates escaped the NL Central cellar after spending 81 days in last place.

Cincinnati native Adam Hyzdu also homered twice and Jack Wilson had a two-run shot as the Pirates reached season highs in runs and hits (19). Aramis Ramirez had a career-high four hits, including a bases-loaded double during a six-run eighth inning.

Montreal 9, Florida 6--Vladimir Guerrero reached 20 homers for the fourth consecutive season, going four for five with three RBIs to lead Expos over the Marlins at Montreal.

Guerrero hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Matt Clement (4-6). He tied Gary Carter’s team record with his fourth consecutive 20-homer seasons.

San Diego 8, Colorado 3--Sterling Hitchcock pitched seven strong innings in his first start in more than a year, and Bubba Trammell hit his first career grand slam as the Padres defeated the Rockies at San Diego.

D’Angelo Jimenez hit his first homer to atone for two errors, and the Padres dropped the Rockies into last place in the NL West. The Rockies have lost 13 of 15.