Randy Johnson was very good on Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field. Jeff Karstens of the Pirates was better. Karstens, making only his 11th major league start, had a perfect game broken up with 2 outs in the 8th inning, and threw a complete game 2-hit shutout as the Pirates blanked the D-Backs 2-0.

Chris Young broke up Karstens’ bid for history when he doubled down the left field line with 2 out in the 9th. Karstens recovered to retire the next batter, Alex Romero to ground out to second to end the inning.

In the 9th, Augie Ojeda walked but pinch-hitter Tony Clark followed by grounding into a double play. Stephen Drew singled, but then Orlando Hudson grounded out to first base to end the ballgame. The win was only Karstens’ 5th big league victory, and his first complete game and shutout. It appears Karstens is very comfortable with his new ballclub. He was dealt from the Yankees to the Pirates in the deal that sent outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte to New York. Karstens has surrendered only 7 hits and 0 runs in those two starts.

On the flip side, Randy Johnson saw his 5-game winning streak, through no fault of his own. The lefthander, in his 21st major league season, scattered 7 hits and 2 runs while striking out 7 over 7 innings. Johnson has been the victim of poor run support this year, and Wednesday was no different. In 6 of his 8 losses this year, the Diamondbacks have scored 3 runs or less.

Freddy Sanchez opened the scoring in the 4th with a solo homer off of Johnson, and Doug Mientkiewicz doubled in Karstens in the 8th to close the scoring. The Pirates avoid the sweep, and now will move on to Philadelphia for a 3-game series against in-state rival Philadelphia at Citizens’ Bank Park.

MLB.com : Recap | Boxscore

Here’s what others are saying about Karstens’ gem in the Pirates’ 2-0 win…

Pirates pitcher dominates D-Backs [Azcentral.com]

Pirates’ Karstens gets shutout after losing perfect game in 8th [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Bucs’ Karstens dominates Diamondbacks, 2-0 [Pittsburgh Live]

The Diamondbacks’ home stand will continue with a 4-game series at Chase Field vs. the Atlanta Braves. Yusmeiro Petit (1-2, 3.03 ERA) will be opposed by Atlanta right hander Charlie Morton (2-5, 6.56 ERA). First pitch is at 6:40.

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