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HOUSTON (AP) -- Randy Johnson stopped another Arizona losing streak.

	Johnson

Johnson held Houston hitless into the sixth inning and didn't allow a run in eight innings, leading the Diamondbacks to a 9-1 victory over the Astros on Wednesday night.

Johnson (12-2) helped Arizona snap a three-game skid and improved to 9-0 this when pitching after a Diamondbacks loss.

"He definitely is a streak stopper,'' Arizona's Mark Grace said. "I was kind of hoping he would get the no-no, but he was still dominant. I remember when I played against him, you knew if you won the first two games and he was pitching the third you had better believe you were going to lose.''

Johnson didn't give up a hit until Gregg Zaun lined a single to center with one out in the sixth inning.

"I got a couple of pitches to hit early in the count, but the hit was luck,'' Zaun said. "The pitch was outside and I just threw the bat at the ball. It was no skill, just complete luck. He's unpleasant to face. I've only faced him four times before and tonight I was more comfortable than before.''

Johnson allowed three hits and struck out eight before Todd Stottlemyre pitched the ninth to finish the five-hitter.

"I didn't think about the losing streak. I had a job to do and I did the best I could,'' Johnson said. "You are always going to have a few losing streaks. If I happen to be in the position to end it, so be it.''

Steve Finley and Mark Grace drove in two runs apiece for the Diamondbacks, who had lost three straight games.

Wade Miller (3-3) gave up six runs -- five earned -- and seven hits in five innings to snap a three-game winning streak. He struck out five and walked two.

Arizona took a 2-0 lead in the second inning after Grace led off with a double and moved to third on a passed ball by Brad Ausmus. Finley drove in Grace with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Tony Womack.

The Diamondbacks increased their lead to 6-0 in the third on a sacrifice fly by Grace, RBI singles by Damian Miller and Finley and David Dellucci's bases-loaded, double-play grounder.

Arizona added three runs in the eighth on an RBI single by Junior Spivey, a fielder's choice by Luis Gonzalez and an RBI double by Grace.

Houston left fielder Lance Berkman was charged with two errors, dropping two fly balls. He has only two other errors this season. Berkman had an RBI double in the ninth.

Game notes

Houston LHP Carlos Hernandez (5-3) will miss Thursday's start against Arizona with a stiff shoulder. "I just found out about the problem today and we don't know how severe it is,'' Astros manager Jimy Williams said. ... Arizona RHP Matt Mantei was activated from the 60-day DL and Duaner Sanchez was optioned back to Triple-A Tucson. Mantei hasn't pitched since April 2001 because of a right elbow injury. ... Houston closer Billy Wagner has a 1.61 ERA since April 21. He has given up only five earned runs in 28 innings ... Spivey was activated from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday for Arizona. Alex Cintron was optioned to Triple-A Tucson. ... Johnson has pitched seven innings or more in 16 of his 17 starts this season.