Homer spoils Johnson's big night
MILWAUKEE — Seth McClung didn't want to get caught up in the notion that he was going pitch-for-pitch with Randy Johnson, especially on a night when the Big Unit reached another lofty milestone.
But those bats the Brewers' right-hander used to slap the first two hits of his career against the Arizona Diamondbacks' venerable veteran? McClung said he's sending them straight to the hall — the one in his house, anyway.
"Randy Johnson's one of the greatest pitchers of all time," McClung said. "I just saw it and swung."
Johnson began Tuesday night by passing Roger Clemens and taking sole possession of second place on baseball's career strikeout list. But it was McClung, Ryan Braun and the Brewers who came away with a 7-1 victory.
The Brewers had to stay patient at the plate with Johnson (4-2), who was nearly untouchable through the first five innings. His first-inning strikeout of Mike Cameron was the 4,673rd of his career, putting him in second place but still far behind Nolan Ryan's 5,714.
"If I was to retire right now, I'd be pretty proud of where I stand in the history of the game, simply because I never imagined doing these things," Johnson said.
Johnson went on to strike out eight and gave up only three hits through five — all singles, two of which came from McClung.
Johnson made a stunning play on a sharp ground ball by Prince Fielder in the fourth, reaching back to his left and snagging the ball out of the air with his bare left hand.
"I'm sure it'll be a little black and blue tomorrow," Johnson said.
But Johnson got in trouble with a 1-0 lead in the sixth, walking Cameron to lead off the inning and giving up a go-ahead two-run homer to Braun, his 16th of the season. Tuesday was the first time Braun, the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year, had faced Johnson.
Milwaukee added to its lead in the seventh when Joe Dillon's double drove in J.J. Hardy from first. Johnson was taken out of the game, tipping his hat as he received respectful applause from Brewers fans.
"As a visiting player, that meant a lot," Johnson said. "That's pretty classy and I won't ever forget that."
