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Harden makes second start as Cubs visit Diamondbacks

Jul 21, 2008 - 2:30 PM Chi Cubs (58-40) at Arizona (48-50) 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs' bullpen nearly spoiled Rich Harden's National League debut. The righthander hopes to go deeper into the game and take matters into his own hands on Monday.

Harden makes his second start as a member of the Cubs when Chicago visits the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first game of a three-game series on Monday.

The 26-year-old righthander struck out 10 and did not allow a run against San Francisco on July 12, but lasted just 5 1/3 innings. The Cubs' bullpen blew a 7-0 lead before eventually prevailing, 8-7, in 11 innings.

Harden (0-0, 0.00 ERA) has allowed a total of five earned runs in his last six outings dating back to his time with the Oakland Athletics. He has never faced the Diamondbacks.

Opposing Harden will be Randy Johnson (6-7, 5.23), who is a perfect 12-0 in his career against the Cubs. Johnson has a 1.98 ERA in 13 career starts against Chicago, but has not faced them since 2004.

The 44-year-old lefthander had lost six straight outings before winning his last two starts, which included a 10-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on July 12. Johnson allowed four runs and five hits over six innings in the win.

Arizona dropped two out of three over the weekend and is now in a first-place tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers (48-50) in the National League West. The Dodgers rallied past the Diamondbacks with five runs in the top of the ninth for a 6-5 victory on Sunday.