Big Unit delivers with arm, bat

DENVER - Adam Dunn watched Ken Griffey reach 600 home runs this season, so he has firsthand experience with the pursuit of excellence.

Now comes Randy Johnson, who recorded his 294th career victory in a 4-2 decision over Colorado at Coors Field on Tuesday.

"I had to catch myself from watching him," said Dunn, who played right field and had a double and two walks in his Diamondbacks' debut.

Johnson gave up five hits and struck out seven, giving up two runs in the bottom of the second after Chad Tracy's two-run homer in the top of the inning.

Johnson then shut out the Rockies through the sixth and gave himself a cushion in the top half of the inning, singling in Chris Snyder after Snyder doubled in Chris Young.

Johnson appears to be in line for eight more starts in the regular season.

"There's a little countdown going on for him," manager Bob Melvin said. "He's got the light at the end of the tunnel."

Dunn, hitting cleanup, doubled in the fifth, walked in the fourth and seventh and struck out in the first and eighth.

Dunn will play right field and hit cleanup again today, Melvin said.

"He solidifies the middle of the order," Melvin said. "Any time the front office goes that extra yard (to obtain a premium player for the stretch), you definitely feel it."

UP NEXT

WHO: Arizona at Colorado Rockies

WHEN: 6 tonight

TV: Fox Sports Net Arizona

RADIO: KTAR 620 AM