Twins 6 - 9 Diamondbacks
Final
  for this game

Johnson hits slam, D-Backs rally to beat Twins

May 22, 2011 - 6:34 AM

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Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Kelly Johnson capped off a six-run eighth inning with a grand slam, as the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied past the Minnesota Twins, 9-6, in the second test of a three-game interleague series at Chase Field.

Juan Miranda went 2-for-3 with three RBI for the Diamondbacks, who have won a season-high five straight games. Gerardo Parra went 3-for-3 with a run batted in.

"It feels good to be able to get all those runs in one swing," Johnson said.

Micah Owings, making his first start of the season, gave up four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. Aaron Heilman (3-0) recorded the final two outs in the top of the eighth to pick up the win.

Danny Valencia went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three RBI for the Twins, who have lost two in a row since a three-game winning streak. Jason Kubel also hit a solo homer.

Scott Baker went five-plus innings in the start for Minnesota, allowing three runs on four hits. He also struck out seven and walked three. Matt Capps (1-3) gave up four runs on four hits in the eighth to suffer the loss.

Trailing 6-3, Arizona scored six times in the eighth to take the lead.

Joe Nathan, who pitched a perfect seventh, gave up a single to Chris Young. Glen Perkins came in from the bullpen, but gave up a base hit to Miguel Montero and was forced to leave with an oblique strain. Capps came in and immediately gave up a two-run double to Miranda. The ball just sailed over the glove of Delmon Young at the left field wall.

Parra followed with a bunt single over the head of a charging Valencia from third. Ryan Roberts singled two batters later to load the bases with one out and Johnson stepped to the plate and smacked Capps' offering over the wall in right to give the Diamondbacks a 9-6 edge.

"I just fell behind him (Johnson) and put him in a good situation," Capps said.

J.J. Putz tossed a scoreless ninth for his 11th save of the season.

Valencia's solo homer to left in the second inning gave Minnesota an early 1-0 lead.

Arizona tied the game in the fourth on Miranda's RBI double off the wall in center.

The Twins took the lead back in the fifth after Young led off with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored when Denard Span reached base on Johnson's throwing error.

Minnesota tacked on two more runs in the sixth to make it a 4-1 game. After Kubel led off with a homer to right, Justin Morneau singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Valencia's one-out single. Sam Demel took over for Owings and got the final two outs of the inning.

Arizona responded with a two-spot in the home sixth to make it a one-run game. Stephen Drew and Young hit consecutive doubles to plate a run. Phil Dumatrait took over on the mound for Baker and Young moved to third on Montero's groundout. After Miranda walked, Parra knocked in Young with a bunt single. Alex Burnett recorded the final two outs of the inning to keep it a 4-3 contest.

A pair of errors by the Diamondbacks in the eighth helped Minnesota score two more runs. Heilman took over on the mound for Joe Paterson with a runner on first and one out and Michael Cuddyer reached first on Drew's fielding error. Valencia followed with an RBI single to right. Montero failed to catch the throw home, which led to Heilman's bad throw to second. Cuddyer also scored on the play to make it 6-3.

Game Notes

This is the first matchup between the teams since the Twins won all three meetings with the D-Backs in 2008 at the Metrodome...It was the third career grand slam for Johnson...Owings made his first appearance in the big leagues since July 20, 2010...The D-Backs had five errors...Arizona selected Owings' contract from Triple-A Reno and released infielder Russell Branyan. In an unrelated move, pitcher Armando Galarraga was outrighted to Reno.






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