Left-hander Randy Johnson has pitched well enough to be within whispering distance of the magical 300 career victories, but his bullpen has betrayed him at times this season.

Johnson remained stuck on 294 victories when righty Chad Qualls could not hold a 4-3 lead in a 5-4 loss to San Diego on Wednesday as the Padres finished a three-game sweep.

Johnson struck out nine and gave up only five hits in seven innings while continuing his strong showing since the All-Star break. In the season’s second half, he is 4-2 with a 1.82 ERA in eight starts—all quality starts.

Both of his no-decisions in that stretch have come when the relief corps could not hold a lead.

The bullpen failed to hold a 4-3 lead in Johnson’s Aug.

Pitching coach: 1 pitch burned Rauch

His pitching wasn’t a topic that reliever Jon Rauch would talk about Tuesday, a day after he allowed at least one run for the fifth time - and lost for the third time - in his past six appearances.

Gerut lifts Padres past Diamondbacks 5-4
Jody Gerut singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the San Diego Padres denied Randy Johnson his 295th career win with a 5-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

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Left-hander Randy Johnson has pitched well enough to be within whispering distance of the magical 300 career victories, but his bullpen has betrayed him at times this season.

Johnson remained stuck on 294 victories when righty Chad Qualls could not hold a 4-3 lead in a 5-4 loss to San Diego on Wednesday as the Padres finished a three-game sweep.

Johnson struck out nine and gave up only five hits in seven innings while continuing his strong showing since the All-Star break. In the season’s second half, he is 4-2 with a 1.82 ERA in eight starts—all quality starts.

Both of his no-decisions in that stretch have come when the relief corps could not hold a lead.

The bullpen failed to hold a 4-3 lead in Johnson’s Aug.

After blowing 7-0 lead, Mets dread another total collapse
The Mets are about to start hearing that dreaded word “collapse” all over again.

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Inventor has ‘Radial’ solution to shattered bat problem
A New Jersey inventor believes he has the solution to baseball’s spate of shattered bats, and MLB officials are intrigued enough to look at his creation.

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Johnson denied win No. 295 by Padres
Johnson denied win No. 295 Lefty Randy Johnson allowed three runs in seven innings, but the Padres rallied past the D-backs, 5-4, on Wednesday after Johnson left the game. Johnson gave up three in the seventh inning, and Chad Qualls allowed two in the eighth.

Byrnes progressing, return questionable
Byrnes progressing, return questionable D-backs outfielder Eric Byrnes will have an MRI next week on his left hamstring to determine whether it has healed enough to allow running. Byrnes, who took some swings on the field Wednesday, knows he won’t return at full speed this season, if at all.

Minnesota rallies, holds on to beat Seattle
Denard Span did his part to keep the Minnesota Twins from falling further behind in their playoff chase.

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Stats show Rays not as good as recent run indicates
When Carl Crawford landed on the disabled list Aug. 10 and Evan Longoria followed him the next day, many fans figured there would be no “happily ever after” ending to the Tampa Bay Rays’ season.

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Experts find statistical gains, injuries key down the stretch
The beginning of September is perhaps the last major milepost in a long and winding fantasy baseball season. In Sports Weekly’s experts leagues, the Leagues of Alternative Baseball Reality (LABR), a couple of former champions are threatening to run away with the American and National League titles.

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Mussina back in control as rock of Yanks’ rotation
Last August, Mike Mussina was bumped from the New York Yankees rotation to improve their chances of making the postseason.

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Red Sox acquire Kotsay from Braves
The Boston Red Sox have outfield depth after completing a trade with the Atlanta Braves for center fielder Mark Kotsay. The Red Sox made the move one day after placing J.D. Drew on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain.

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No. 3: Stars easy to see on field, in stands at Dodger Stadium
If you could sit anywhere at any ballpark in the major leagues, where would it be? USA TODAY combined nominations from readers and votes from our staff to come up with the 10 best seats in baseball. We’ll count them down each day over the next two weeks, all the way to No. 1.

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No. 2: Make yourself at home above Toronto’s Rogers Centre
If you could sit anywhere at any ballpark in the major leagues, where would it be? USA TODAY combined nominations from readers and votes from our staff to come up with the 10 best seats in baseball. We’ll count them down each day over the next two weeks, all the way to No. 1.

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Minnesota rallies, holds on to beat Seattle
Denard Span did his part to keep the Minnesota Twins from falling further behind in their playoff chase.

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Inventor has ‘Radial’ solution to shattered bat problem
A New Jersey inventor believes he has the solution to baseball’s spate of shattered bats, and MLB officials are intrigued enough to look at his creation.

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American League : Lee handles Detroit for his 19th victory of season

Cliff Lee, the former Arkansas Razorbacks pitcher from Benton, got his American League-leading 19 th victory as the Cleveland Indians beat the Detroit Tigers 10-4 on Tuesday night for their ninth consecutive …

Byrnes progressing, return questionable
Byrnes progressing, return questionable D-backs outfielder Eric Byrnes will have an MRI next week on his left hamstring to determine whether it has healed enough to allow running. Byrnes, who took some swings on the field Wednesday, knows he won’t return at full speed this season, if at all.

No. 3: Stars easy to see on field, in stands at Dodger Stadium
If you could sit anywhere at any ballpark in the major leagues, where would it be? USA TODAY combined nominations from readers and votes from our staff to come up with the 10 best seats in baseball. We’ll count them down each day over the next two weeks, all the way to No. 1.

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Power Rankings: Cubs reclaim top spot
For the majority of the season, the Chicago Cubs have been the class of the National League. According to the latest USA TODAY Sports Weekly Power Rankings, they’re now the best in the majors as well.

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Webb’s first try at milestone ends in loss
Webb’s first try at milestone a loss Brandon Webb fell short in his first bid for his 20th win, as he allowed nine hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-2 D-backs loss to the Padres on Tuesday. Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer in the fourth for the only offense.

Byrnes progressing, return questionable
Byrnes progressing, return questionable D-backs outfielder Eric Byrnes will have an MRI next week on his left hamstring to determine whether it has healed enough to allow running. Byrnes, who took some swings on the field Wednesday, knows he won’t return at full speed this season, if at all.

Upton may return for Dodgers opener
Upton to return against Dodgers D-backs outfielder Justin Upton will be activated for the upcoming weekend series against the Dodgers, possibly as early as Friday for the series opener. Upton has been out since July 9, when he suffered a strained oblique muscle.

Giles hits 3-run HR as Padres deny Webb 20th win

One bad start down, six more chances for Brandon Webb to get 20 wins. Webb got knocked around in one of his worst starts of the season as the San Diego Padres denied him becoming the majors’ first 20-game …

Haren says he overreacted to pitch
Haren says he overreacted to pitch A day after he cooled off, D-backs pitcher Dan Haren admitted that he overreacted to a high-and-tight pitch from the Padres‘ Clay Hensley during Monday night’s game. Teammates replayed the pitch and Haren’s subsequent double in the clubhouse Tuesday.

Melvin will keep Lyon as the closer

Brandon Lyon is struggling, but he hasn’t struggled in save situations, and Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said he won’t demote his closer until that happens.

Owings working on shoulder strength
Owings working on shoulder strength D-backs right-hander Micah Owings, reported to be a player to be named heading to Cincinnati in the Adam Dunn deal, hasn’t pitched in a game with Triple-A Tucson since the trade. Owings is working on strengthening his stiff right shoulder.

D-backs set Arizona Fall League roster
D-backs set Arizona Fall League roster Pitchers Hector Ambriz, Tony Barnette, Brooks Brown and Reid Mahon, catcher John Hester, infielder Rusty Ryal and outfielder Evan Frey will play for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League, the team announced Tuesday.

Johnson looks for career win No. 295
Johnson looks for career win 295 Arizona lefty Randy Johnson will go in search of career win No. 295 as the D-backs close out a three-game series against the Padres. Johnson probably has just seven starts remaining this season in which to reach the milestone of 300.

D-backs set Arizona Fall League roster

The D-backs will have seven Minor Leaguers in this year’s Arizona Fall League, including four pitchers.

Webb shoots for 20th win as Diamondbacks resume set with Padres

Brandon Webb tries to become the National League’s first 20-game winner since 2005 this evening when the Arizona Diamondbacks play the second test of their three-game series with the San Diego Padres at Petco …

Giles hits 3-run HR as Padres deny Webb 20th win (AP)

One bad start down, six more chances for Brandon Webb to get 20 wins. Webb got knocked around in one of his worst starts of the season as the San Diego Padres denied him becoming the majors’ first 20-game winner with a 9-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. Webb (19-5) lost in his first bid to become the NL’s first 20-game winner since 2005 with one of his few bad outings,…

Brandon Lyon is struggling, but he hasn’t struggled in save situations, and Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said he won’t demote his closer until that happens.

Owings working on shoulder strength
Owings working on shoulder strength D-backs right-hander Micah Owings, reported to be a player to be named heading to Cincinnati in the Adam Dunn deal, hasn’t pitched in a game with Triple-A Tucson since the trade. Owings is working on strengthening his stiff right shoulder.

Marlins resume road trip against battered Braves

The Florida Marlins will resume a nine-game road trip this evening with the first of three straight meetings with the National League East-rival Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Byrnes progressing, return questionable
Byrnes progressing, return questionable D-backs outfielder Eric Byrnes will have an MRI next week on his left hamstring to determine whether it has healed enough to allow running. Byrnes, who took some swings on the field Wednesday, knows he won’t return at full speed this season, if at all.

Webb’s first try at milestone ends in loss
Webb’s first try at milestone a loss Brandon Webb fell short in his first bid for his 20th win, as he allowed nine hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-2 D-backs loss to the Padres on Tuesday. Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer in the fourth for the only offense.

D-backs set Arizona Fall League roster
D-backs set Arizona Fall League roster Pitchers Hector Ambriz, Tony Barnette, Brooks Brown and Reid Mahon, catcher John Hester, infielder Rusty Ryal and outfielder Evan Frey will play for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League, the team announced Tuesday.

Webb’s first try at milestone ends in loss
Webb’s first try at milestone a loss Brandon Webb fell short in his first bid for his 20th win, as he allowed nine hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-2 D-backs loss to the Padres on Tuesday. Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer in the fourth for the only offense.

Johnson looks for career win No. 295
Johnson looks for career win 295 Arizona lefty Randy Johnson will go in search of career win No. 295 as the D-backs close out a three-game series against the Padres. Johnson probably has just seven starts remaining this season in which to reach the milestone of 300.

Pitching coach: 1 pitch burned Rauch

His pitching wasn’t a topic that reliever Jon Rauch would talk about Tuesday, a day after he allowed at least one run for the fifth time - and lost for the third time - in his past six appearances.

D-backs set Arizona Fall League roster

The D-backs will have seven Minor Leaguers in this year’s Arizona Fall League, including four pitchers.

Webb’s first try at milestone ends in loss
Webb’s first try at milestone a loss Brandon Webb fell short in his first bid for his 20th win, as he allowed nine hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-2 D-backs loss to the Padres on Tuesday. Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer in the fourth for the only offense.

Johnson looks for career win No. 295
Johnson looks for career win 295 Arizona lefty Randy Johnson will go in search of career win No. 295 as the D-backs close out a three-game series against the Padres. Johnson probably has just seven starts remaining this season in which to reach the milestone of 300.

Haren says he overreacted to pitch
Haren says he overreacted to pitch A day after he cooled off, D-backs pitcher Dan Haren admitted that he overreacted to a high-and-tight pitch from the Padres‘ Clay Hensley during Monday night’s game. Teammates replayed the pitch and Haren’s subsequent double in the clubhouse Tuesday.

Marlins resume road trip against battered Braves

The Florida Marlins will resume a nine-game road trip this evening with the first of three straight meetings with the National League East-rival Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

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Cliff Lee wins 19th, helps Indians win ninth straight
Cliff Lee got his American League-leading 19th win and Ben Francisco hit two home runs in the Cleveland Indians‘ ninth straight victory, 10-4 over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.

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