Pirates Beat Johnson With Unearned Run

Randy Johnson went back to work Monday night and lost for the first time this season--on an unearned run.

Second baseman Junior Spivey overthrew first base in an ill-advised attempt to turn a double play in the seventh inning, allowing Jason Kendall to score the go-ahead run in Pittsburgh’s 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Phoenix.

Kendall was three for four with a run-scoring double and Brian Giles, one for 17 against Johnson entering the game, homered in the first inning for the Pirates. Pittsburgh won for only the second time in eight games and stopped Arizona’s four-game winning streak.

A lower back strain caused Johnson to miss his first start in nearly two years last Wednesday. He wasn’t at his best in his return to the mound, although he grew stronger as the night went on.

Johnson (6-1) struck out eight and walked none, scattering six hits in seven innings. His last regular-season loss was Aug. 23 at Pittsburgh.

Josh Fogg (4-1) matched Johnson’s performance before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. The Pirate rookie gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out three, walked one intentionally and hit a batter.

Reliever Scott Sauerbeck shut down Arizona for two innings, and Mike Williams pitched the ninth for his 12th save.

With two out in the Arizona ninth, Craig Counsell turned what appeared to be a routine single into a double with hustle and a headfirst slide. After pinch-hitter Chris Donnels walked, Tony Womack grounded out to end it.

Cincinnati 8, Milwaukee 5--Adam Dunn hit his first grand slam, finished with five RBIs, and the Reds overcame starter Joey Hamilton’s hamstring injury to win at Cincinnati. Sean Casey hit three doubles and a single as the Reds emerged from a scoring slump and a four-game losing streak. Cincinnati had only six runs in its last 35 innings. Hamilton pulled his left hamstring while covering first base in the fourth.

Chicago 6, St. Louis 5--Alex Gonzalez hit a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth and Bill Mueller homered in his first game back from the disabled list to lead the Cubs at Chicago.