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Baerga, Johnson Help Beat Phillies

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From Associated Press

Carlos Baerga made Randy Johnson feel better about leaving the game early.

Baerga’s pinch-hit, three-run homer in the sixth inning led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night.

Johnson (3-2) yielded three runs -- one earned -- and four hits in five innings to win his second consecutive start.

The five-time Cy Young Award winner wasn’t happy to come out of the game, but said he understood the situation.

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“I’m pretty convinced I’m a singles hitter, so I don’t think a single would’ve helped us in that case,” Johnson said jokingly. “It was a great at-bat by Carlos.”

Danny Bautista went hitless in three at-bats with two sacrifice flies, ending his 21-game hitting streak. Struggling closer Matt Mantei put runners on first and third with two out then induced Placido Polanco to line out to right for his fourth save in six chances.

The Phillies (10-12) wasted a 3-0 lead and an opportunity to reach .500 for the first time since starting 1-1. Vicente Padilla (0-4) gave up four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.

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“Sometime in the course of the game, something goes wrong and he loses concentration,” Manager Larry Bowa said of Padilla. “We’ve got to get that straightened out.”

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