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Johnson throws 2-hitter, Diamondbacks edge Rockies

By ANDREW BAGNATO,AP Sports Writer AP - Monday, September 29

PHOENIX - Randy Johnson pitched a two-hitter in what might have been his final appearance with the Diamondbacks, leading Arizona to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

The 45-year-old Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner whose contract expires after this season, earned his 295th career win.

The Diamondbacks won it in the ninth when Luis Vizcaino (1-2) issued a bases-loaded walk to Chris Young, who had tied the game with a solo homer in the eighth off Manuel Corpas.

Fueled by several standing ovations, Johnson (11-10) returned to his once-dominant form, allowing only an unearned run and two singles to Troy Tulowitzki. He walked one and struck out nine in his second complete game this season.

The only run Johnson gave up came in an ugly first inning. Clint Barmes led off with a grounder to third baseman Mark Reynolds, who threw the ball over first baseman Chad Tracy's head for his 35th error.

Barmes reached second on the error and moved up on Tulowitzki's sacrifice bunt. One out later, he scored on a wild pitch _ Johnson's second in 176 innings this season.

For seven innings, it looked as if that run might be enough for the Rockies. The Diamondbacks didn't do much against Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez, who gave up three hits in seven innings, walking four and striking out 10.

His shot at a victory disappeared when Corpas gave up a homer to Young, the second batter he faced in the eighth, tying the game at 1.

Johnson had thrown 101 pitches to that point, but he went back out for the ninth inning, drawing another in a succession of ovations from the Chase Field crowd of 35,908.

The first ovation came after Johnson struck out Chris Iannetta to end the Rockies' seventh.

The last ovation came as Johnson walked off after a 1-2-3 ninth. He tipped his cap and, moments later, climbed to the top step of the dugout to acknowledge a curtain call.

Notes:@ Reynolds struck out twice to extend his major league record to 204 for the season. ... The Diamondbacks were eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday. Word apparently didn't reach the marketing department. An illuminated sign on the loge said, "Buy 2009 season tickets now and guarantee 2008 postseason rights."

(This version CORRECTS Diamondbacks 2, Rockies 1. SUBS 1st note to correct to 204 strikeouts, sted 202.)

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