Johnson halts Cubs

D'backs snap Chicago's six-game sizz

? Richie Sexson’s awesome power and Randy Johnson’s ageless arm were more than enough to snap the Chicago Cubs’ six-game winning streak.

Sexson hit the longest home run in Bank One Ballpark history, and Johnson struck out 10 Monday night, leading Arizona to a 9-0 rout.

Sexson’s two-run shot off reliever Francis Beltran in the sixth inning traveled an estimated 503 feet and smacked off his own image halfway up the giant video screen in center field, smashing several lights.

“That’s the furthest one I’ve ever hit. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t,” Sexson said. “I’ve seen Jim Thome hit some balls like that, but I never have.”

It was Sexson’s 200th career home run and ninth this season.

“You see things in this game on occasion that you’ve never seen before,” Arizona manager Bob Brenly said. “I think Fins (Steve Finley) said it best, he’s never seen a ball get so small so fast. It seemed like it was accelerating when it hit him in the face out there on the JumboTron.”

Previously, the longest homer at the 7-year-old park was 473 feet by Scott Rolen, then with Philadelphia, against Omar Daal on April 19, 1999.

“The people here are going to enjoy watching Richie Sexson all year long,” Chicago manager Dusty Baker said. “I’m just glad he’s not in Milwaukee anymore.”

The 40-year-old Johnson (2-2), 18 years older than Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano, improved to 12-0 in 13 career starts against the Cubs. Johnson struck out seven of nine batters during one stretch, pitched two-hit ball for seven innings and walked none.

“I’m sure he could have finished that game very easily,” Brenly said, “but we saved him a few innings there, and hopefully we can tack those on in September.”

The Big Unit gave up a single to Zambrano with one out in the third, then retired 12 straight before Moises Alou singled with one out in the seventh. The only other Cub to reach base against Johnson was Derrek Lee, hit by a pitch with two outs in the second.

Arizona's Randy Johnson winds up to throw a pitch to Chicago's Moises Alou. Johnson struck out Alou -- and nine other batters -- in the the Diamondbacks' 9-0 victory Monday in Phoenix.

Seven consecutive Chicago outs were by strikeout, beginning when Sammy Sosa was caught looking to end the first and ending when Corey Patterson fanned to end the third.

Randy Choate completed Arizona’s second shutout, allowing three hits in two innings.

Reds 5, Pirates 2

Pittsburgh — Sean Casey’s two-run homer backed Aaron Harang’s effective pitching, and Cincinnati won despite losing Austin Kearns indefinitely because of a broken forearm.

Harang (2-0) gave up two runs in six innings, including Craig Wilson’s solo homer in the sixth, and beat Pittsburgh for the second time in two starts. He gave up seven hits, struck out five and walked one.

Danny Graves pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 12 chances and his third in the four-game series.

Ryan Vogelsong (1-3) walked six in four innings and gave up three runs and four hits in his third straight loss.

Marlins 6, Rockies 3

Denver — Carl Pavano pitched eight strong innings, and Miguel Cabrera and Alex Gonzalez each hit a two-run homer for Florida. The Marlins scored all of their runs in the first inning off Scott Elarton (0-4). Pavano (2-0) allowed two runs and scattered five hits as Florida improved to 13-6, the best start in franchise history. Armando Benitez struck out Charles Johnson with two on for his 10th save in 10 chances.

Padres 3, Expos 2

San Diego — Miguel Ojeda drove in the winning run with two outs in the ninth, punching the first pitch he saw from Luis Ayala (0-3) into left-center field to score Jay Payton from second. Akinori Otsuka (2-1) threw two perfect innings in relief. Livan Hernandez held the Padres hitless for 32/3 innings, but gave up RBI singles to Payton and Ramon Hernandez in the fourth. He allowed two runs and five hits in 61/3 innings.

Giants 3, Braves 2

San Francisco — Jason Schmidt earned his first win of the season in San Francisco’s victory over Atlanta. Ray Durham hit an RBI triple and Edgardo Alfonzo an RBI double with two outs in the Giants’ three-run third. Matt Herges pitched a hitless ninth for his seventh save in eight chances.