PHOENIX -- On May 18, 2004, Randy Johnson hurled a perfect game against the Braves in Atlanta.

Exactly four years later, the Big Unit wasn't perfect, but he was still pretty darned good.

Johnson tossed seven shutout innings and earned his 288th career win as the D-backs beat the Tigers, 4-0, on Sunday afternoon in front of 38,793 at Chase Field.

The D-backs took two of three games in the series from the Tigers and finished the homestand with a 5-1 record and a 5 1/2-game lead over the Dodgers in the National League West.

For Johnson, it was the 288th win in a Hall of Fame career and he is now tied with Tommy John for 24th on the all-time wins list for pitchers in the modern era. Next up are Lefty Grove and Early Wynn, who each won 300 in their careers.

History is right around the corner for Johnson, but he said his focus is on the here and now. After two back surgeries in as many years, Johnson would like nothing more than to get one more crack at the postseason. Last year, while the D-backs went to the National League Championship Series, Johnson was left to watch his teammates on TV.

"I don't really think about that kind of stuff now," Johnson said of 300 wins. "I just want to be a part of winning ballgames here. The big picture is a long way away and we still have a lot to do, but any win we get at this point is great. The big picture is hopefully getting back to the playoffs and for me being a part of that. I wasn't [part of it] last year, and I've worked extremely hard having two back surgeries and I want to be a part of that."

If he continues to pitch the rest of the year like he did Sunday, the chances of that happening look good. The D-backs have won Johnson's last five starts and he has wins in four of his last five starts.

Sunday, though, was the first time he was able to pitch seven innings and it was also the first time he seemed to be able to get into a rhythm on the mound.

"I felt good going down to the bullpen, warming up, and I was able to bring it in from the bullpen and execute," Johnson said.

After he retired Ivan Rodriguez to open the game, Johnson allowed two straight hits, but got Magglio Ordonez to hit into an inning-ending double play.

"Early on, he gave up some hits but looked like his command wasn't there right away," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said. "The stuff was similar to what we've seen, the command was much better. I think this is the type of game he was looking for."

Johnson hadn't been able to pitch deep into games because hitters had put together too many long at-bats against him, forcing him to expend a lot of energy and inflate his pitch count. The Tigers, though, put six first pitches into play, four of which went for outs.

"They were swinging early in the count so I was able to get some fast outs," Johnson said.
Nate Robertson was getting plenty of outs for the Tigers. The left-hander did not allow a hit until Justin Upton singled with two outs in the fourth.

One inning later, Chris young gave Arizona a 2-0 with a bases-loaded double over the head of Detroit center fielder Ryan Raburn.

"[Young] really picked it up for us from an offense standpoint," Johnson said.

Young was also a part of Arizona's two-run sixth inning, when he drew a bases-loaded walk off reliever Freddy Dolsi.

"The guy you have to tip your hat to today is [Johnson]," Young said. "He didn't allow them to score any runs, so anybody's hit was going to be the big hit, any RBI was going to be the big RBI. He's amazing. He's been great for us. Just watching from center field you see how good he really is. He still has his electric fastball and his slider is still there, so it's an honor to watch him."

Johnson was starting on four days' rest rather than the six he had in his last outing, and because of Monday's off-day, he will pitch on five days' rest when he takes the mound Saturday in Atlanta.

"I think over the course of my career, I'm used to pitching every fifth day," Johnson said. "So once again, I won't be pitching again until Saturday, which is the sixth day, but you just have to make adjustments, and I have. "I think it's a lot of fun going out there and getting on a roll when you're pitching every fifth day, but there's reasons for not doing that and so I just have to take that into consideration."

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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