Durazo’s Homer Backs Up Johnson

Helped by an umpire’s call that gave Erubiel Durazo a home run, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Randy Johnson defeated the frustrated San Francisco Giants, 9-4, Tuesday night at Phoenix in the first meeting between the National League West rivals.

Johnson (8-1) struck out 10 to pass 3,500 for his career and matched teammate Curt Schilling as the only eight-game winners in the majors. First-place Arizona moved one game ahead of San Francisco.

Durazo tied the score, 3-3, with a disputed solo home run against Livan Hernandez in the fifth. The ball was hit down the right-field line, and first base umpire Larry Young called it a homer, despite the protests of Hernandez and first baseman J.T. Snow, who argued the ball was foul.

Giant Manager Dusty Baker and catcher Benito Santiago were ejected by plate umpire Bill Hohn.

Baker was tossed for the first time this season after David Bell was out trying to steal second on a called third strike to Barry Bonds to end the seventh inning. Santiago, who was three for three with a double, was tossed after arguing balls and strikes to start the Arizona seventh. The Diamondbacks scored four runs in the inning.

With 3,507 strikeouts, Johnson needs two to pass Walter Johnson for eighth on the career list.

Pittsburgh 12-3, Chicago 1-4--Sammy Sosa hit his first homer in 10 games and the Cubs gained a doubleheader split at Chicago.

Brian Giles hit an inside-the-park home run, and Jimmy Anderson (4-5) and Sean Lowe combined on a three-hitter to lead the Pirates in the first game.

Sosa’s major league-leading 16th homer, a three-run shot against Josh Fogg (5-2) in the sixth inning, helped keep starter Juan Cruz (1-7) from becoming the first Cub pitcher to begin a season 0-8.

St. Louis 3, Houston 1--Jason Simontacchi (2-0) pitched seven strong innings at St. Louis and the Cardinals won for the 10th time in 12 games.

The Astros have lost two in a row after winning seven in a row.

Montreal 5, Atlanta 4--Brad Wilkerson drove in the winning run with a two-out dribbler in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Montreal tied the score in the ninth on Jose Vidro’s two-out run-scoring single against John Smoltz.

Cincinnati 6, Florida 1--Austin Kearns hit his first career grand slam and the Reds took advantage of wildness by A.J. Burnett (5-4) at Cincinnati.

Danny Graves got Charles Johnson on a groundout to end the eighth and finished for his 15th save in 19 chances.

Philadelphia 4, New York 0--Vicente Padilla (6-3) pitched eight shutout innings and Pat Burrell hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Phillies have won two in a row after losing six consecutive games. The Mets have dropped two in a row after a five-game winning streak.

Colorado 7, San Diego 6--Larry Walker homered and drove in three runs to rally the Rockies at Denver.

Walker hit a two-run single in the seventh inning and Todd Zeile had a run-scoring single to put Colorado ahead.

Todd Helton and Todd Hollandsworth homered for the Rockies.