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By Brian Smith [ 01/06/2007 ] Publishing Free Articles Zone articles is subject to our Publisher's Terms Of Service |
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Washington, U.S. (AP) - Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins noticed a big difference in the Big Unit. After missing a start because of tendinitis in his left forearm, Randy Johnson limited Philadelphia to one hit in six shutout innings in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 4-3 victory over Jamie Moyer and the Phillies on Wednesday night."That was a new Randy Johnson tonight," Rollins said. "He had a real good slider, not a real good fastball, but he was hitting his spots." The 43-year-old Johnson (3-2) allowed only Pat Burrell's second-inning single, struck out six and didn't walk a batter. The five-time Cy Young winner's back stiffened late in his 61-pitch outing. "I knew I was good enough to pitch," Johnson said. "The first couple of innings I was kind of reluctant, kind of hesitant of letting things go. As the game progressed, I started getting better." In other NL games, it was: San Francisco 3, New York 0; Cincinnati 4, Houston 3; Los Angeles 5, Washington 0; St. Louis 8, Colorado 4; San Diego 9, Pittsburgh 0; Atlanta 9, Milwaukee 3; and Florida 9, Chicago 0. Eric Byrnes homered twice to help visiting Arizona sweep the three-game series and extend its winning streak to seven games. "There's too much talent in here to not think they're capable of doing that," Johnson said. Phillies slugger Ryan Howard, held out of the starting lineup because of a cramp in his left leg, lined into a double play as a pinch-hitter in the ninth off Jose Valverde to end the game. Earlier this month, Howard beat Arizona with a pinch-hit grand slam. The Phillies lost their third straight to drop to 26-27. "I'm concerned about our team. I'm worried," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We've got to improve and stop making mistakes." Johnson and the 44-year-old Moyer (5-4), former Seattle teammates, broke their own record for the matchup of the oldest lefties at a combined 88 years, 90 days. Byrnes hit his seventh homer of the season on the first pitch of the game, then went deep in the eighth on the first pitch of the at-bat. Moyer allowed eight hits in 7 2-3 innings. He left after rookie Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer that made it 4-0. Philadelphia scored three runs in the ninth on Rollins' two-run triple, and Burrell's RBI single.
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