ATLANTA - Randy Johnson has allowed three home runs just three times in his past 85 games. Two of those occasions are the only two games he was caught by Rod Barajas.

AN ANTONIO — Here's the latest prediction in a series full of mind games:

Santan-area residents who have challenged developer George Johnson on the safety of their water and sewer are being sued by his company for defamation.

WASHINGTON - Twelve days can be an eternity in baseball, when weather and injuries can ruin even the firmest schedule. However, if all goes well in Randy Johnson’s final two scheduled rehabilitation starts, he is likely to make his Diamondbacks’ 2007 debut against San Diego on April 19 at Petco Park, the D-Backs privately believe.

Randy Johnson is almost home. The Diamondbacks have agreed to send reliever Luis Vizcaino and minor league prospects Ross Ohlendorf, Steven Jackson and Alberto Gonzalez to the New York Yankees for Johnson and cash considerations, according to sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin on Saturday sat in a dugout at Chase Field, briefing reporters on Randy Johnson’s rehabilitation schedule when the Big Unit sauntered by.

Randy Johnson might be getting older, but winning never does.

MINNEAPOLIS - Randy Johnson has known perfection in Atlanta and he’s known the perfectly goofy, when Larry Walker turned his batting helmet around to hit right-handed against Johnson in a 1997 All-Star appearance. Then, there was Friday.

HOUSTON A great day for Craig Biggio turned into a great big wait for Randy Johnson.

From Sulligent, Ala., to the NFL, Rashad Johnson feels like a walk-on all over again. Johnson, a safety and former walk-on at Alabama who became the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year, was the Cardinals' third-round pick (95th overall) in Sunday’s NFL Draft.

Randy Johnson has been one of the best pitchers in the majors since the All-Star break, but despite that success and his back's compliance following two recent surgeries, he is resolute in not discussing his future, even though it seems obvious that he can contribute.

TUCSON - Randy Johnson returned to the mound Thursday in his first batting practice session of the spring. Johnson threw 30 pitches in batting practice and another 23 in the bullpen, facing minor league outfielders Chris Rahl and Trent Oeltjen.

TUCSON - If Eduardo Perez is a gauge, Randy Johnson is in top form. Perez has five hits, including three home runs, in his past 10 regular-season at-bats against Johnson.

ATLANTA -- Justin Upton knew his slump wouldn't last forever.

If Sunday was Randy Johnson’s final appearance for the Diamondbacks, he went out with the type of dominant performance that kindled memories of Cy Young Awards and World Series titles.

Braden Johnson went 2-for-5 with a double, home run and four RBIs as Corona del Sol blasted Glendale Mountain Ridge (5-1), 16-2, Saturday to win the Corona del Sol Aztec Invitational. Russell Teames went 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs and Ben Rodriguez had three hits and two RBIs for the Aztecs (4-2).

The Arizona Cardinals have signed seventh-round selections Larod Stephens-Howling and Trevor Canfield to three-year contracts.

Leandro Barbosa is back from Brazil, where he spent the past few days visiting with his terminally ill father; the rookie point guard is likely to make his NBA debut tonight against the Atlanta Hawks, Suns coach Frank Johnson said.

The Cardinals signed sixth-round draft choice Will Davis to a three-year contract on Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal were not made immediately available.

October 26, 2004