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Woes continue for D-Backs, Johnson in 8-6 loss
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Arizona Diamondbacks' Bob Melvin, left, pulls pitcher Randy Johnson, center, from the game as catcher Miguel Montero looks on during a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning Tuesday, July 1, 2008, in Phoenix.
The Associated Press
Different month, same result. After losing all five of his starts in June, Randy Johnson found July to be no kinder. The 44-year-old lefty was tagged for seven runs in just 3 2/3 innings, and despite the best efforts of Conor Jackson and the bullpen, the Diamondbacks couldn’t rally, losing 8-6 to the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday at Chase Field.
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Diamondbacks - Brewers box score
Johnson’s outing was his shortest since going just three innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 28, 2007, his final appearance of last year. His six-game losing streak is his longest since he dropped eight straight decisions during the 1992 season.
Johnson’s velocity topped out at 89 mph and the Brewers, who didn’t start two of their RBI men, Prince Fielder and Mike Cameron, had no problem timing his pitches from the start.
Johnson gave up three home runs to the first 11 batters he faced, including two to shortstop J.J. Hardy, who connected for a 405-foot, two-run blast in the first and a 384-foot solo shot in the second.
“I think velocity is a luxury. I don’t have the same velocity, but location is a necessity in pitching, and I haven’t had any of that,” said Johnson, who needed 92 pitches to get 11 outs.
Jackson did his best to get Johnson a no-decision, continuing his hot streak by going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs to pace Arizona’s 11-hit attack. He has now hit safely in 14 of his past 16 games and is hitting .382 during that stretch.
The bullpen allowed just two hits the rest of the way, but Arizona couldn’t get over the hump.
Johnson has been stuck on 288 wins since beating Detroit on May 18.
Turning point: Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy connected for a two-run home run on the seventh pitch of the game and the Brewers were in command the rest of the night.
Stat of the game: During his six-game losing streak, Randy Johnson has an ERA of 7.94.
Unsung hero: In his first game with the Diamondbacks, reliever Connor Robertson gave Arizona a chance to rally, giving up just one run on two hits in three innings, retiring the first eight batters he faced.
No match: The Diamondbacks are now 1-4 against Milwaukee this season and have been outscored 32-17.
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