The Skinny: Randy Johnson looked like the Big Unit of old, striking out a season-high 13 batters. When he left the game after 7 innings, the Diamondbacks led 4-3. But the Arizona defense and bullpen faltered, and the Marlins opened a 3-game series with a 5-4 win at Chase Field. Jon Rauch, who took the loss, surrendered a leadoff triple to Josh Willingham leading off the 8th. Wes Helms’ sacrifice fly scored Willingham, and tied the game at 4. The next batter, Cody Ross, jacked a Rauch pitch to deep left field and that proved to be the game winner.

Diamondbacks’ Player of the Game: This one’s easy. Randy Johnson. Johnson threw 116 pitches over 7 innings, allowing just 5 hits and 3 runs (1 of which was earned). Johnson has given up only 8 earned runs over his last 7 starts, covering 47 1/3 innings. His 13 strikeouts is the most he’s had in a single game since he struck out 15 Dodgers on August 31 of 2004. He remains stuck on 294 wins. God forbid Randy Johnson’s career ends without him reaching the 300 win plateau. If that happens, this is another in the long line of games that slipped through the Diamondbacks’ fingers on a night when Johnson was dominant.

Defense not solid: The Diamondbacks committed 3 errors on Friday. Two of the runners who reached base via error went on to score.

Numbers: The Marlins improved to 6-1 against the Diamondbacks this season….Adam Dunn went 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts. It was only the second time he’s failed to reach base since becoming a Diamondback early last week…The Diamondbacks bullpen has a streak of giving up at least 1 run in 4 straight games.

Repercussions: The Diamondbacks loss doesn’t hurt them in the standings, as the Dodgers got blasted by the Phillies earlier on Friday. The D-Backs remain 2 games ahead of the Dodgers in the National League West, but missed a golden opportunity to go up by 3.

MLB.com : Recap | Boxscore

Here’s what others are saying about the Marlins’ come-from-behind victory over the Diamondbacks…

Bullpen spoils Johnson’s gem [AZCentral]

D-Backs watch victory bounce Marlins’ way [East Valley Trib]

Florida Marlins rally to top D=Backs [Miami Herald]

Marlins go deep twice in win [Sun-Sentinel]

The series continues Saturday evening with Yusmeiro Petit going to the mound for Arizona against Florida’s Chris Volstad. First pitch is at 5:10 at Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix.

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