Associated Press
The National League Roundup …
ATLANTA ó Jeff Francoeur was glad Randy Johnson was out of the game in the ninth inning.
“He might not throw the ball 95, 96 (mph), but his slider, when you think it’s going to get over the plate, it comes in and bites you,” Francoeur said. “He’s phenomenal.”
Francoeur hit a game-ending, two-run homer off Chad Qualls in the ninth, and the Atlanta Braves overcame a sparkling 10-strikeout performance by Johnson to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 Saturday.
With 4,663 strikeouts, Johnson needs nine to tie Roger Clemens for second place behind Ryan (5,714).
With the score 1-1 in the ninth, Chipper Jones walked against Doug Slaten (0-1) leading off, Mark Teixeira grounded out and Qualls relieved. Francoeur homered on his second pitch.
“It was like choose your poison with Teixeira and Francoeur,” Arizona manager Bob Melvin said.
Francoeur hopes the homer can lift his offensive funk. He was hitting .154 in 26 at-bats.
Mets 9, Rockies 2
DENVER ó With Willie Randolph under pressure, the New York Mets finally ended their five-game skid with a 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
David Wright hit his ninth homer of the season, and Carlos Beltran had a three-run double as part of a five-run first.
Brewers 5, Nationals 2
WASHINGTON ó Seth McClung was victorious in his first start in almost two years and Corey Hart and Mike Cameron homered to help the Brewers beat the Nationals.
Astros 4, Phillies 3
HOUSTON ó Carlos Lee drove in three runs and the Houston Astros turned a dramatic double play to secure a victory over the Phillies.
Giants-Marlins postponed
MIAMI ó The game between the San Francisco Giants and Florida Marlins on Saturday night was postponed due to rain and was rescheduled to be made up as part of a doubleheader today.