San Francisco, CA (My Sportsbook) - Randy Johnson is now three wins away from 300 career victories, as the five-time Cy Young Award winner hurled seven scoreless innings in San Francisco's 3-2 decision over Colorado in soggy, windy conditions at AT&T Park.
Johnson (2-2), who came in sporting a 6.16 earned-run average this season, struck out nine and didn't walk a batter, scattering four hits for career win No. 297.
"It's going to be a very difficult accomplishment for anybody else to get close to because of the years," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said of the 300- win landmark. "Back in the day guys had to do it to make money for financial security. Not that it motivates everybody, but Randy came up in a different era. He's been healthy and he is 45 and he's going to get it. The next guy down the line is pretty far down the line, whoever that guy might be."
Travis Ishikawa went 2-for-3, driving in a run and scoring another, while Randy Winn scored, knocked in a run and stole a base for the Giants, who have won eight of 10 to climb over the .500 mark (11-10).
Ubaldo Jimenez (1-4) pitched well but nonetheless took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits with as many strikeouts for the Rockies, who had won three of four.
Colorado was silenced by Johnson but cut into a 3-0 deficit in the eighth. Bob Howry relieved the lefty and surrendered a leadoff homer to Chris Iannetta, which caused an immediate replacement on the mound.
Jeremy Affeldt came in and put runners on the corners for Todd Helton. Edgar Renteria made a nice stop on Helton's bouncer to the hole between short and third, but it was enough to score a run.
Wilson came in and allowed another infield hit to load the bases, but struck out Ryan Spilborghs to end the frame. The closer worked around a one-out walk in the ninth, recording his second consecutive four-out save and sixth overall this season.
The Giants scored a run in the second and third inning, which was more than enough for Johnson, who opened the game with five strikeouts and retired the first 10 before Helton's two-out single in the fourth.
"I just really enjoy winning," Johnson said. "I don't expect to go out and have a no hitter for six or seven innings either. A happy medium where I can go out and give this team a chance to win is what I'm all about despite what people have said that at age 45 I'm washed up or whatever."
Ishikawa's double to right-center scored Fred Lewis in the second, and Bengie Molina hit a sacrifice fly an inning later to plate Winn, who led off with a walk, moved up to second on another free pass and stole third.
Winn added a sac fly of his own in the seventh for a much-needed insurance run.
Game Notes
Johnson had amassed an 18-7 record and an excellent 2.31 ERA over 27 overall appearances versus the Rockies coming into the game...Colorado out-hit the Giants, 9-5...Pablo Sandoval had two hits for San Fran, including a triple... Helton and Matt Murton each had two hits for Colorado.
