The first sign was the bare arms. On a chilly 57-degree night, Randy Johnson walked to the mound without long sleeves. Who needs a thermal undershirt? At 43 years old, he still brings the heat.
Johnson staged a stone-cold clinic for six innings Tuesday, allowing the Rockies only a bunt single before a stiff back created an early exit in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 3-0 victory at Coors Field.
“I knew I had to keep it close,” said Rockies starter Jason Hirsh, his terrific outing ruined. “But the way he pitched, I don’t think even Roger Clemens would have beaten him.”
This wasn’t your father’s or brother’s Randy Johnson, circa 2001. That Johnson was a snarling menace with a mullet. He struck fear in opponents with a 98-mph fastball and a glare that could give Hannibal Lecter goose bumps. This version is a little more refined, more Mozart than Hendrix. But no less effective.
“Things are starting to come around,” Johnson said.
Johnson toyed with the Rockies, striking out nine on 79 pitches. Willy Taveras was the lone hitter to reach against him as Colorado fell to 8-10 at home and seven games under 500, a thud not heard until Aug. 22 last season.
“We can’t let our confidence waver with the adversity we are facing now,” manager Clint Hurdle. “We have to get better.”
There was no progress against Johnson. Everything he threw was about 5 miles per hour slower than in his prime. A little less throttle – 94-mph fastball, 83-mph slider – improved location, his night a series of whiffs and check swings.
“The last couple of starts, I have been throwing slider pretty well,” Johnson said.
That’s akin to Picasso saying he made a few good brush strokes. Johnson hasn’t started a season with three consecutive losses since 1989, and odds were against Colorado repinning that indignity on him. Johnson, back in Arizona after a two-year hiatus with the Yankees, is 15-7 with a 2.27 career ERA against the Rockies.
“He’s still a two-pitch pitcher, but he’s really learned how to pitch,” said Colorado’s Steve Finley, a former Johnson teammate. “He’s 6-foot-10, throws from (a wide angle) and hits 90-plus. That’s still real good.”
Hirsh was worthy of similar praise, two pitches undermining one of the best outings of his career. He worked eight innings, yielding just three runs on home runs. Connor Jackson hit his first of the season, driving a 77-mph changeup into the seats for a 2-0 lead. Eric Byrnes followed with a solo shot in the seventh inning, his third against the Rockies this season.
“Under normal circumstances, if I am not facing Randy Johnson, we score runs and win,” Hirsh said. “Those two mistakes cost me the game.”
For the Rockies, their lacking offense continues to haunt them.
Johnson only extended a trend that is threatening to sabotage the season.
“We have to find a way to scratch out some runs,” Todd Helton said. “If you are going to be a successful team, you have to beat those guys. We have the reigning Cy Young Award winner (tonight in Brandon Webb), so it doesn’t get easier.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renckcan be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
