No Big Night for the Big Unit

It was only one start, a rehabilitation assignment in Class A, but it brought electricity to a sleepy summer baseball stadium at least for one night.

Randy Johnson, the Arizona Diamondback pitcher, started for the Lancaster JetHawks, a Class A affiliate, in a California League game against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Tuesday night at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga.

His start drew 5,314 fans -- triple the normal Tuesday night crowd -- though many left in shock at what they had seen.

Johnson, 39, a five-time Cy Young Award winner pitching against mostly second-year professionals, gave up five runs -- four earned -- and 11 hits in six innings. He struck out six and did not issue a walk, but hit two batters. Rancho Cucamonga won, 5-1, and Johnson was the losing pitcher.

“I think [the media] and the fans might have expected me to strike out everybody,” Johnson said. “I know what I’ve done, I’m sure you know what I’ve done, I’m not too worried about [the results]. My main objective is to get my pitches in and field my position and hit my spots.”

Word of Johnson’s start, announced Sunday, spread quickly through Southern California. Autograph seekers arrived early and stayed late, hoping to get Johnson to sign some memorabilia, but most left disappointed.

Johnson did not sign before the game and, despite dozens of fans waiting outside the locker room afterward, he had his sport utility vehicle parked on the field, slipped into it following post-game interviews and left without signing.

“He’s one of the toughest autographs to get,” said Terry Fincher, who drove in from Anaheim and wore a Diamondback jersey, hoping to get a signature

Media credential requests, normally three for a Quakes’ game, rose to about 15.

Scouts also swarmed the Epicenter.

“We’ve been slammed with requests,” said Andrew Steubner, the Quakes’ assistant general manager. “We don’t have enough seating for everyone so it’s just get them in the park and let them fend for themselves.”

Limited by the Diamondbacks to an 85-pitch limit, Johnson left trailing, 5-1, after throwing 86 pitches. It was the third rehabilitation start for Johnson, who has been on the disabled list for six weeks recovering from May 1 arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He is expected to return to the Diamondbacks for a Sunday start against San Diego.

His fastball was clocked in the 92- to 95-mph range most of Tuesday night and he hit a high of 99 mph. He ran into trouble mostly in the third inning, giving up four runs and five hits, including a three-run homer by Dallas McPherson.

“I was encouraged by having my knee react the way it did,” Johnson said. “My main objective was to get through six innings, and utilize my pitch count and see how my knee responds.”