Glavine Wins Showdown

Two of baseball’s greatest left-handers lived up to their resumes Wednesday night.

Tom Glavine and Randy Johnson each gave up three hits in the New York Mets’ 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“It did come as advertised,” Arizona Manager Bob Brenly said. “Two of the best left-handers of their generation went out there and pitched like it.”

The only run was a home run by shortstop Kazuo Matsui on the second pitch of the game -- the first time the rookie from Japan had batted against Johnson.

Glavine (5-2), who has not thrown a complete game in two years, struck out three and walked two, one intentionally, in 7 2/3 innings.

He left with a runner on first and two outs in the eighth. Braden Looper pitched 1 1/3 innings for his fifth save in six chances, finishing the three-hitter.

Johnson (3-4) was pulled for a pinch-hitter with runners at first and second and two out in the seventh. He gave up one run and three hits, struck out seven and walked two.

It was the first time that two left-handers with at least 233 victories apiece have faced each other, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Glavine entered the game with 255, Johnson 233.

Their 488 victories were the most by two left-handers who started the same game since Steve Carlton (328 wins) pitched for the Cleveland Indians against Jerry Reuss (196) of the Angels on July 1, 1987.