Big Unit returns to smokin' D'backs

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Big Unit returns to smokin' D'backs
By Daniel Brown, MEDIANEWS STAFF
Article Launched: 04/14/2008 02:34:33 AM PDT


SAN FRANCISCO — Already on a roll, the Arizona Diamondbacks welcome Randy Johnson back from injury tonight — just in time to face the Giants at AT&T Park.
This is Johnson's first start since undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back last August.

Without much else to go on, the Giants scouted his recent rehabilitation start, where Johnson's fastball occasionally hit 92 mph for Triple-A Tucson.

"He's throwing like he normally does," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's going to be up in the 90s, and come with that slider and changeup. I don't think we're going to see anything different than what we've seen in the past."

The Giants have been struggling for runs against any pitcher, so the prospect of facing a five-time Cy Young Award winner looks daunting. Then again, several of the Giants have success against the big left-hander, who is only 7-8 with a 3.55 ERA in 20 career games against the Giants.

All five Giants who have faced Johnson at least 10 times have a .300 average or better against him.

Rich Aurilia is 16-for-47 (.340) with three home runs; Ray Durham is 10-for-33 (.303) with a home run; Randy Winn is 6-fo8 (.333); Bengie Molina is 6-fo6 (.375) with a home run; and Aaron Rowand is 4-fo3 (.308) with a home run.

ROWAND BACK: Bochy said Rowand is expected back in the starting lineup tonight for the first time since Thursday. The outfielder has been limited by rib and groin injuries.

"He wants to play, he wants to be out there," Bochy said. "There's just no point in pushing it."
AGASSI VISITS: Tennis star Andre Agassi and friends hung out in the Giants dugout during batting practice, chatting with J.T. Snow and Kevin Frandsen. Agassi won eight Grand Slam events during his career; Snow hit seven grand slams.

SHORT HOPS: Omar Vizquel, recovering from knee surgery, took swings and fielded groundballs during batting practice, but Bochy was uncertain about when Vizquel would be ready for a rehabilitation trip to Triple-A Fresno. ... Reliever Vinnie Chulk (shoulder) might be activated from the disabled list Tuesday. ... Comcast SportsNet Bay Area was nominated for seven Northern California Emmy Awards. Giants broadcasters Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow were nominated for on-camera talent/sports play by play. ... Jose Castillo's eight doubles lead the National League. ... Giants starters have a 1.40 ERA over the past six games.


PITCHING MATCHUPS: Today, 7:15 p.m., LH Jonathan Sanchez (0-1, 6.30 ERA) vs. LH Randy Johnson (4-3. 3.81, 2007 stats); Tuesday, 1:35 p.m., RH Kevin Correia (1-1, 2.63) vs. RH Micah Owings (2-0, 2.63); Wednesday, 12:35 p.m., LH Barry Zito (0-3, 4.50 vs. RH Brandon Webb (3-0, 2.14).

[stevo]

Over 7.5.

Yes. A giants over. What the hell. Winds out to right center 15-25 so I got that.

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3-3 top of third.

Should go over. I'm calling a Dell dude and going to bed.

[St Paddy]

Randy has 7 k's through 4 not bad for 1st game back....Makes me feel a little stronger about my Dbacks future.

Now hopefully he can just give up one more run to cash this over.

[stevo]

There ya go

[St Paddy]

Thanks for the info Stevo, really liked the over for this game and when i saw the wind I added a little more.

[stevo]

You're welcome Paddy, anytime dude.

[Uncle B]

I keep expecting him to fall apart...I guess he's still got a few games in him though.

[Uncle B]

Hell of a game today.....I guess eventually it will sink in with me, that the guy isn't quite washed up just yet.

[stevo]

I passed on him too after Haren and Webb

[DelReyJ]

Originally Posted by stevo

I passed on him too after Haren and Webb

Rockies - D'Backs 2 teamer tomorrow night

[stevo]

Sounds goood Jay:

Big Unit leads D-backs to sweep of Giants


- Associated Press
Published 4:29 pm PDT Sunday, July 27, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO -- Randy Johnson tossed seven shutout innings to win his fourth consecutive start, and the Arizona Diamondbacks completed their first sweep in San Francisco in seven years, beating the Giants 7-2 on Sunday.

Conor Jackson had three hits, including a home run for the National League West-leading Diamondbacks, who have won five of six to move two games over .500 for the first time since June 24. Mark Reynolds added a two-run homer, and Stephen Drew drove in a pair of runs.

Fred Lewis had four hits for the Giants, who have lost 12 of their last 16 games. Ivan Ochoa and Randy Winn each had two hits.

Johnson (8-7) earned his first win in San Francisco since July 16, 2002. He allowed nine hits, struck out two and did not walk a batter.

Johnson, who recorded career win No. 292, extended his scoreless-inning streak to 15, his longest since he had 19 in a row in September 2002.

The second-most prolific strikeout pitcher even threw a pitch so slow to Lewis in the first inning -- for a strike -- that the radar gun was unable to register its speed.

Barry Zito (5-13) became the first 13-game loser in the majors, giving up six runs and six hits in five innings. He walked five and struck out four in his fifth consecutive loss to the Diamondbacks.

Zito and Johnson, the 2002 Cy Young Award winners, were impressive through three innings. Arizona scored four times in the fourth, taking advantage of Zito's wildness.

Zito walked four in the inning

Big Unit leads D-backs to sweep of Giants - sacbee.com

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The second-most prolific strikeout pitcher even threw a pitch so slow to Lewis in the first inning -- for a strike -- that the radar gun was unable to register its speed.


LOL

[Bostongambler]

Anybody see that pich that Johnson made where he just lobbed it in there.

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by Bostongambler

Anybody see that pich that Johnson made where he just lobbed it in there.

i didn't get to see any of it....friggin NASCAR was on instead...

[Uncle B]

Looking to be anouther stellar night for the old man.....Crazy shit.

[Bostongambler]

I see he got Manny to ground out to short in the 2nd.

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by Bostongambler

I see he got Manny to ground out to short in the 2nd.

He let him get a single here in the 4th....No harm done though...

[Uncle B]

Shit.....Looks like the Big Unit is going limp early...