Johnson Hit Around By Angels California Deals Mariners’ Ace Just Second Loss With 7-2 Win

The California Angels’ offense is so potent right now, even Randy Johnson was no match for them.

Tim Salmon and Greg Myers each drove in two runs, helping Brian Anderson win his fifth straight start as the Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 7-2 Tuesday night and sent Johnson to his second loss of the season.

Salmon had three hits off Johnson (11-2) after entering the game 1 for 19 lifetime against the All-Star left-hander. He hit his 21st homer in the first inning and added an RBI single in the fifth to give California a 3-1 lead.

“He’s got three great pitches, and he’s always seemed to strike me out,” Salmon said. “I had a little luck tonight. One was on a checked swing and one was on the end of the bat, but I’ll take them.”

Tino Martinez tied it in the second with his 23rd homer and third of his career against Anderson, after Salmon drove a 2-0 pitch to right field for his sixth homer in 20 games.

“I made pretty good contact, so I’m thinking foul ball,” Salmon said. “I’ve never made good contact against (Johnson). I had trouble picking it up ‘til I saw Jay Buhner running after it.”

The A.L. West leaders tied a season high with their seventh straight victory after setting a club record with a 20-7 July mark. The Angels increased their lead to 11 games over Texas.

“With the lead they have and the way they’re playing,” Seattle third baseman Mike Blowers said, “it looks like they’re going to win the West unless they just fall on their faces, which I don’t expect them to do.”

Anderson (6-2) allowed two runs and five hits over six innings, including two-out homers by Tino Martinez in the second inning and Edgar Martinez in the sixth. The right-hander struck out three and walked one before John Habyan relieved him.

“It’s great to go out and face a pitcher like Randy Johnson,” Anderson said. “But once you’re into the game, it’s really me against their hitters, not me against him.”

Habyan surrendered seventh-inning singles by Blowers and Tino Martinez and left after Felix Fermin advanced the runners with a sacrifice. But Bob Patterson struck out pinch-hitter Chris Widger, and Troy Percival got Alex Diaz on a fly ball to center.

The Angels scored four times in the eighth to chase Johnson, who allowed seven runs and 10 hits over 7-1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out 10 to increase his major league-leading strikeout total to 195.

“His pitch count wasn’t very high, but he might have been getting a little tired,” Mariners manager Lou Piniella said. “I just just wanted to make sure he was OK. I wanted to give him every chance I could to win the ballgame.”

Salmon ignited the outburst with a single. He scored on Garret Anderson’s fielder’s choice before Damion Easley added an RBI single and Myers gave the Angels a five-run cushion with a two-run double that finished Johnson.

California snapped a six-game losing streak against Johnson, who had won five straight in Anaheim.

Myers led off the Angels’ fifth with a single, Gary DiSarcina doubled and Jim Edmonds delivered the go-ahead run with a groundout. Salmon then lofted a single to center, scoring DiSarcina.

Edgar Martinez pulled the Mariners to 3-2 in the sixth with his 17th homer and ninth hit in 12 career at-bats against Anderson.

Benes gives to cause

Andy Benes, traded to Seattle Monday, left San Diego $10,000 lighter, and Padres officials couldn’t be happier or more surprised.

After the pitcher cleaned out his locker, he went upstairs and dropped off his contribution for a scholarship program the Padres started this year.

“Yes, it’s true that the players had committed, but who would have begrudged him for walking away without doing so?” said Charles Steinberg, the Padres’ vice president for public affairs. “He didn’t have to do it, and the check wasn’t written in advance. That’s a guy whose personal character should mean more to the people of San Diego than what he did on the mound.”

New owners John Moores and Larry Lucchino will match each player’s donation, meaning Benes’ contribution will lead to four $5,000 college scholarships for San Diego-area students. The Padres hope to fund 25 such scholarships a year.

“When we say we wish Andy the best, we really mean it,” Steinberg said. “We love the trade for the Padres, but we fully, fully respect Andy’s decency as a human being.

“It makes believing in ballplayers worthwhile.”

Griffey update

Ken Griffey Jr., out since May 26 with a broken left wrist, probably won’t return to Seattle’s lineup for another two or three weeks. “I would think Aug. 20 is a pretty good bench mark for him,” Piniella said.