Pitchers’ Duel Turns Into a Hitters’ Feast

A highly anticipated pitching duel between Arizona’s Randy Johnson and the Dodgers’ Kevin Brown never materialized Sunday.

Brown was forced out of the game because of injury in the first inning, after being tagged for four runs and three hits, and Johnson failed to hold a four-run lead.

Johnson (8-1) received a standing ovation in the second inning when he passed Walter Johnson for eighth place on the all-time strikeout list, registering No. 3,509 with his punch-out of Brian Jordan. Three innings later, the Dodgers railroaded Johnson to the clubhouse.

Marquis Grissom, who had one single and 15 strikeouts in 25 at-bats against Johnson, and Adrian Beltre, three for 21 against Johnson, each homered in the third inning, trimming Arizona’s lead to 4-2. Grissom, who had four hits in the game, capped a three-run fourth with a two-run shot to left off Johnson for a 5-4 Dodger lead.

Jordan’s bases-loaded, two-run, two-out single gave the Dodgers a 7-4 lead in the fifth, putting the finishing touches on Johnson’s worst start since April 8, 2001, when the 6-foot-10 left-hander gave up nine earned runs, including three homers, in 52/3 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

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It’s hard to imagine a game featuring so many runs and hits hinging on one split-second decision by a reliever, but this one was costly to the Dodgers.

After opening the seventh inning with four singles off Dodger right-hander Paul Quantrill, including run-scoring hits by David Dellucci and Craig Counsell to trim the lead to 7-6, the Diamondbacks had runners on first and second with no out.

Quinton McCracken dropped a sacrifice bunt to Quantrill, who had plenty of time to throw to third for a force play and was being instructed by catcher Paul Lo Duca to throw to third.

But Quantrill went for the out at first instead. Luis Gonzalez then walked to load the bases, Quantrill walked Erubiel Durazo to force in the tying run, and Junior Spivey’s RBI groundout gave Arizona an 8-7 lead.

“It was hard to hear Paul,” Quantrill said. “That was a small play in the large scheme of things, but the truth is, those plays can make a difference. I could have had him at third.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Milwaukee Brewers, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Today--1 p.m.

TV--Channel 13 today, Fox Sports Net 2 Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Records--Dodgers 28-22, Brewers 17-33.

Record vs. Brewers--2-1.

TODAY

DODGERS’

HIDEO NOMO

(4-5, 3.60 ERA)

vs.

BREWERS’

BEN SHEETS

(3-4, 3.66 ERA)

Update--Nomo, after three consecutive shaky starts, had a six-inning, four-hit shutout of the Brewers last Wednesday, striking out seven and walking three. Sheets, an Olympic hero in 2000, has been one of the few bright spots for a team that has the National League’s worst record.

Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Kazuhisa Ishii (7-1, 2.77) vs. Glendon Rusch (3-4, 4.79).

Wednesday, noon--Odalis Perez (4-3, 2.51) vs. Jamey Wright (1-1, 3.48).