Padres Defeat Big Unit, Diamondbacks

Lanky lefty gets first win since June

(NEWSER) - Randy Johnson got his first victory since having back surgery in August, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-1 win over San Diego on Friday night. Johnson held the Padres' popgun offense to one run on three hits while striking out seven in six innings. The last-place Padres lost for the ninth time in 10 games. More»

Maddux's woes against Arizona continue in an ugly fashion

(NEWSER) - Conor Jackson matched a career high with four hits, including two triples and a home run, and Arizona routed the weary San Diego Padres 9-0 on Friday. After losing a 22-inning game to Colorado and arriving in Phoenix at about 4 a.m. Friday, the Padres fell behind 6-0 in the first inning and offered little resistance to Arizona starter Dan Haren. More»

(NEWSER) - Backed by Stephen Drew's three-run homer, Randy Johnson went five shaky innings for his 287th career victory and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Colorado 8-4 on Tuesday night. The Big Unit (3-1) gave up four runs and nine hits, striking out four and walking none. Chris Young had three hits as the Diamondbacks hammered Colorado starter Jeff Francis (0-4), a 17-game winner for the NL champions a year ago. More»

Cubs beat Padres easily, 12-3

(NEWSER) - Carlos Zambrano won his fifth straight decision and Alfonso Soriano homered in a six-run fifth as the Chicago Cubs won their fourth straight, beating the San Diego Padres 12-3. Pitching with an extra day's rest, Zambrano allowed six hits and three runs in seven innings and also chipped in with his bat. More»

Chicago avenges series loss to Arizona in last year's playoffs

(NEWSER) - Pinch-hitter Daryle Ward delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs rallied again to beat Arizona 6-4 Sunday after the anticipated showdown between Carlos Zambrano and Randy Johnson got wiped out. Carlos Marmol (1-0) struck out two in a perfect eighth and Kerry Wood pitched the ninth to earn his seventh save and finish off Chicago's three-game sweep. More»