SAN FRANCISCO Randy Johnson has faced 29 of 30 major league teams over his 22-year career. He'll complete the circuit today when he starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
There will be plenty of emotional fuel for the 45-year-old left-hander, whose first choice was to re-sign with the Diamondbacks and pursue his 300th victory in a Sedona red jersey. But both sides claim to be more focused on the result than the opponent. Johnson has an 11.42 ERA in two starts as a Giant. And the Diamondbacks' young lineup is off to a terrible start.
"The way I'm looking at it, we're facing another guy," Conor Jackson said. "He's our ex-teammate, and it'll be weird to see him in another uniform. We've got a lot of respect for him. But you can't be in awe of the guy on the mound."
Said Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder: "Just another game. Not a big deal."
Johnson doesn't speak to the media the day before his starts, but Giants catcher Bengie Molina said he expects the five-time Cy Young Award winner to be pumped up.
"I'll have it in my head to watch him," Molina said. "But he knows what he's doing out there."
Arizona's Eric Byrnes is 1-for-7 against Johnson, who also has faced Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark.
"Every time Randy takes the mound he's intense," Byrnes said. "I don't expect anything different."
Arizona first baseman Chad Tracy, a left-handed hitter, probably won't be in the lineup. Maybe that's why he spoke more freely about the forces that could be at work.
"I'm sure he wants to stick it to us," Tracy said. "His first choice was to sign back with Arizona and it didn't happen, so maybe there will be some emotion there."
Holm's new home
Triple-A Fresno catcher Steve Holm was sent to minor league camp in Scottsdale, Ariz., after getting hit by a pitch. The Giants might be taking a harder look at free agent catchers such as Paul Bako.
Short hops
Tim Lincecum's 13 strikeouts tied a career high. It marked the sixth time in San Francisco club history that a pitcher struck out 13 or more without walking a batter. Lincecum has done it twice. The others: Jason Schmidt (2002), Ray Sadecki (1968), Bobby Bolin (1963) and Sam Jones (1960). ... Fred Lewis singled twice and has reached base in 10 of 11 games this season. ... The tough arms keep coming. The Giants will face Jake Peavy and Chris Young when they begin a two-game series with the Padres on Tuesday.
Andrew Baggarly, MediaNews staff
