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Johnson, Diamondbacks climbing back into pennant race

Sep 23, 2008 - 9:52 PM Arizona (79-77) at St. Louis (80-76) 8:15 pm. EDT

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks will not fade into the sunset.

Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks face the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, looking to keep the pressure on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

Arizona trailed Los Angeles (81-75) by 4 1/2 games in the National League West last week, but have won eight of nine to trim the deficit to two games.

On Monday, Cy Young Award candidate Brandon Webb notched his 22nd victory and Stephen Drew homered as the Diamondbacks posted a 4-2 victory over St. Louis.

Drew become the third shortstop in major league history with 40 doubles, 10 triples and 20 homers in a season. He has been red-hot lately, hitting .395 (17-for-43) with four homers and seven RBI in his last 10 games.

Johnson is seeking his first win in seven starts. The 45-year-old lefthander allowed one run and eight hits in seven innings of a 3-2 win over San Francisco on Thursday, and remains stuck at 294 career wins.

Johnson has not received a decision in his last five starts, despite a 3.22 ERA in that span.

St. Louis, which has lost 10 of 12, counters with Kyle Lohse (14-6, 3.76). Lohse picked up his first win in more than a month Thursday, he allowing three runs - two earned - and six hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-4 win over Cincinnati.