Randy Johnson pitched all right in his first start in 2 1/2 months, but he resembled an ordinary pitcher more than a dominating ace as the last-place San Diego Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 yesterday. Out since having knee surgery May 1, Johnson said he exceeded his expectations by going six innings and throwing 100 pitches. "I was a little erratic, but for the most part I felt like I kept us in the ball game. Everything feels great. How it'll feel tomorrow, I don't know."

Two homers lift Bagwell into 400 club

Houston's Jeff Bagwell homered in consecutive at-bats yesterday in Cincinnati to become the newest member of the 400-home run club. Bagwell, the Astros career leader in homers, connected in the fourth and sixth innings off Reds starter Danny Graves to become the 35th player to hit 400 homers. Bagwell has 20 homers this season.

Koskie backs onto disabled list

Twins third baseman Corey Koskie, from Anola, Man., was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday because of a back injury that is not healing as quickly as expected. The move to the DL is retroactive to July 12, so Koskie will be eligible to return in a week. Koskie is hitting .298, with 14 homers and 55 RBIs.

Phillies get Williams from Pirates

Reliever Mike Williams was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates back to the Phillies yesterday in a deal that upgrades Philadelphia's bullpen for the stretch run. Williams, who made the NL all-star team despite an ERA above 6.00, was half-dressed for yesterday's Brewers-Pirates game when he was called into manager Lloyd McClendon's office. For Williams, the Pirates get left-hander Frank Brooks, who was 3-4 with nine saves and a 2.30 ERA in 34 relief appearances at Double-A.