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Johnson to start again for Diamondbacks

Apr 20, 2008 - 2:19 PM San Diego (8-10) at Arizona (13-4) 4:10 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) - Randy Johnson will make his second start of the season Sunday when the Arizona Diamondbacks host the San Diego Padres.

The 44-year-old lefthander made his season debut Monday after sitting out the past 10 months due to a second surgery on his balky back. The future Hall of Famer was a little rusty with his command - walking four batters in five innings - but showed vintage form with seven strikeouts.

Johnson was lifted after five innings and 90 pitches despite allowing just three hits and three unearned runs. He left with the lead but did not factor in the decision as the Diamondbacks went on to suffer a 5-4 loss.

Johnson is becoming part of a strong staff that leads the majors in fewest runs allowed with just 56 in 17 games.

He will also have the support of the top offense in the game, which has scored 19 runs in the first two games of the series, including eight in the final two innings Saturday night to earn a 10-3 win.

Stephen Drew doubled in the tying run and Chris Young plated the go-ahead score as Arizona scored nine unanswered runs on Saturday.

San Diego will try to quiet the Diamondbacks attack with lefthander Randy Wolf (1-0, 1.42 ERA). He pitched seven scoreless innings in Tuesday's 6-0 win over the Colorado Rockies, taking a no-hitter into the seventh and allowing just one hit while striking out nine and walking four.