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Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Johnson, left, rounds third to greetings from third base coach Matt Williams (9) after hitting a three-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jason Grilli (39) in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
There wasn't a whole lot of pomp and circumstance when the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired third baseman Chris Johnson from the Houston Astros back on July 29.

Why would there be?

With apologies to the fourth-year major leaguer, many hadn't heard of him. After all, he had been toiling in Houston on an Astros roster filled with names recognized only by baseball die-hards. And his name itself -- Chris Johnson -- is so common, it doesn't do much to stand out.

While the San Francisco Giants were picking up Hunter Pence and the Dodgers picked up Shane Victorino, Hanley Ramirez and Joe Blanton to bolster their rosters, the D-backs quietly sent two minor leaguers to Houston for Johnson.

Johnson's bat has been the opposite of quiet since.

In his first game with the club, Johnson jacked a grand slam in a 7-2 win over the Dodgers on July 30.

In just eight games with Arizona, Johnson is hitting .345 with five home runs and a startling 15 RBI -- including five more in Tuesday night's win over Pittsburgh. To put that mind-boggling stretch into perspective, Justin Upton didn't get his 15th RBI until his 41st game this season. Sorry Justin, just making a point.

Johnson's blistering pace projected over 162 games would see him hitting 102 home runs and driving in 304. OK, that's obviously not going to happen, but it's safe to say that Johnson has done more for his new team than any deadline acquisition in baseball.

Tuesday night, Johnson stepped into the batter's box with runners on first and second and nobody out in the eighth inning of a tie game. It was a perfect time for a sacrifice bunt to move Justin Upton and Miguel Montero into scoring position. Thing is, Johnson had exactly zero sac bunts in his first 311 big league games. So manager Kirk Gibson let him swing away. Johnson delivered, sending a 1-0 Jason Grilli fastball over the center field wall.

And for good measure, Johnson connected on a two-run blast to center in the ninth to pad Arizona's lead.

"I think he's comfortable in Arizona," Gibson said following the game. "He's just having a great start for us."

Most importantly, the Diamondbacks have seemingly fortified their third base position for the stretch run. Arizona had used seven different players at the hot corner this season to no avail.

You know the old saying...the eighth time is the charm.

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    TheShaggy1 wrote...
    hmmmm...
    I wonder how all those people who said this was a terrible trade are feeling right now? I know the season isn't over and we still got some room to improve some more, but wow what a pickup!
  • Abuse
    Patrick Peterson's Talent wrote...
    Kevin Towers
    Had complete faith in this pickup because KT approved it. The guy is one of the best GM's in the game. No one liked the Kubel signing either. Outstanding job yet again KT. I hope they extend his contract for 10+ years. I really believe we'll win another one with him in charge.
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    Jarrod P. wrote...
    I CALLED IT But....
    I said he could be a 20/80 guy easily.. He will settle down. he is not AROD, he is Chris Johnson... Much of this is probably the childlike excitement of being out of that he**hole Houston.. I still think he can be a consistent 20-80 .260 type guy-- sort of like J UP....I am not sorry Justin- please go away.. Jarrod
  • Abuse
    RemyG wrote...
    Uncertainty Dispelled
    I won't deny that I had no idea what to think about when it came to this move. Another comment mentioned the Kubel signing, which I still don't like because his defense is terrible, but because he is hitting like a monster that argument was conceived. Back to Johnson, it is great to have found a 3B guy and looking forward to the future.
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