Johnson Moves to #2 All Time in Strikeouts

Randy Johnson recorded eight strikeouts Tuesday during Arizona's 4-3 victory over the visiting Giants, and the left-hander forged ahead of Roger Clemens and into the No. 2 spot on the all-time strikeout list. The Big Unit also moved into a tie for 30th on the career wins list with Jim Kaat.

The Big Unit moved past the Rocket.

When Johnson struck out Ray Durham for the third time, ending the fifth inning, he passed Clemens with 4,605 career strikeouts. It would be the last strikeout Johnson would get in the game, giving him eight on the night overall. Nolan Ryan is first with 5,714. 

Johnson was greeted by a standing ovation as he walked off the mound, and within moments, came out of the dugout to a curtain-call encore, waving to the fans.

"The first time I was here, we had that board out there and they were showing some of the names I was passing," Johnson said. "They were pretty cool, a lot of the people I had met: Warren Spahn and (Sandy) Koufax and (Steve) Carlton. It's very flattering to be in that company."

Johnson, who is coming off back surgery in October after spending the past two seasons with the Yankees, went six innings and allowed two runs and seven hits. He allowed one walk, his first since May 9.

He was in position to win his fourth consecutive start for the first time since winning six in a row for Arizona in 2004, but he settled for a no-decision.

DIAMONDBACKS 4, GIANTS 3 (10 innings): Chris Young hit a walk-off home run with one out in the 10th inning to lift Arizona to its 10th win in 11 games, keeping the Diamondbacks a half-game out of first place in the National League West.

"I didn't even remember what the pitch was," Young said of his game-winning homer of Giants reliever Kevin Correia. "That was my first time getting a walk-off. I had been struggling tonight. A lot of coaches and guys were still behind my back, saying, 'Just keep grinding.'"

The Diamondbacks wouldn't have won, however, if not for a great play from relief pitcher Brandon Lyon in the top of the 10th. With Rich Aurilia on second base, Ray Durham hit a blooper to shallow left field. Eric Byrnes charged, left his feet and had the ball in his glove, prompting Aurilia to retreat to second base. But the ball squirted loose when Byrnes hit the ground, and Aurilia headed back to third.

Third baseman Mark Reynolds picked up the relay and threw to Lyon, who was covering third. After a collision near the bag, Aurilia was called out.

"Lyon makes a heck of a play," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "One, to be there. Two, to keep him off of the base. Looked to me like he (Aurilia) never touched the base."

NOTES, QUOTES

--CF Chris Young, who was held out of the lineup in Arizona's last game to rest a groin strain, was 0-for-4 with a strikeout before he connected for his seventh homer of the year on Tuesday to beat the Giants in the 10th inning.

"You just feel like you're floating on air, honestly," Young said. "As you round first base, you start to look inside the dugout, and you see your guys running out to congratulate you at home. There's not a better feeling."

--3B Chad Tracy went 1-for-5 in an extended spring training game Tuesday in Tucson as he began his rehab from a rib cage strain. He played four innings in the field and will play in another extended spring game Wednesday before likely joining Class AAA Tucson for at least one game, manager Bob Melvin said.

--Once Chad Tracy returns to the activate roster, which could happen as soon as Friday, manager Bob Melvin and the front office could have a tricky decision to make as it relates to finding a way to keep rookie 3B Mark Reynolds in the lineup. The Diamondbacks haven't offered any hints.

"We still have a little time left," Melvin said. "You can never have too many bats. How we'll fit them all in has yet to be determined."

--RHP Micah Owings threw a four simulated innings to tune up for Saturday's start against the visiting Red Sox after having his last start skipped because of days off.

"It was just to get his pitches to the point where the next time he goes out there, there aren't any cobwebs he has to shake out," manager Bob Melvin said.

--The Diamondbacks welcomed three members of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals to participate in batting practice Tuesday, and head coach Ken Whisenhunt, receiver Anquan Boldin and quarterback Matt Leinart all held their own. Leinart hit three home runs during BP. All three played baseball in high school.

"I had a little more power than I thought," said Leinart, who was a high school pitcher.

BY THE NUMBERS: 8 -- Victories by the Diamondbacks in their last nine road games after going 5-1 on a trip at the Phillies and Mets. The next time they hit the road, it'll be at Yankee Stadium.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He can be the type of guy players might be reluctant to approach because they think he's abrasive, aggressive, whatever. But you'll never meet anyone who's more accountable than Randy. If he even just passes that along, that would be something." -- Diamondbacks pitching coach Bryan Price on Randy Johnson, who is reaching out to younger pitchers, both in the system and in other organizations, in an effort to pass along some of his wisdom and knowledge.

MEDICAL WATCH:

3B Chad Tracy (rib cage strain) went on the disabled list on May 16. He began playing extended spring training games on June 5. He likely will play one or two games for Class AAA Tucson before rejoining the Diamondbacks in time for part or all of their weekend series against the visiting Red Sox.

LHP Randy Johnson (stiff back) left his May 30 start after 61 pitches. He missed his May 25 start with forearm tendinitis. He started June 5.

OF Jeff DaVanon (left ankle, right shoulder surgery) opened the season on the disabled list. He has been rehabbing in extended spring training.