Errors by the Diamondbacks led to five unearned runs as the Giants defeated the Diamondbacks 5-4 on Monday night. Six of the nine runs scored in the game were unearned. Without the errors, Randy Johnson might have picked up a win in his return:

Johnson allowed three unearned runs in five innings, looking a lot like he did in his first start off of back surgery last year. At times, he looked like the Johnson of old. Other times, he looked like a pitcher still trying to find his form.

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Johnson struggled with his command, particularly early in the game. His first four pitches of the game, all fastballs, sailed up and off the plate, well out of the strike zone.

Though he threw sliders for strikes, he missed nine times with fastballs in the first inning before finally throwing a strike with a 90 mph heater on his 16th pitch.

But his command steadily improved. After throwing balls on 17 of his first 27 pitches, he finished by firing strikes on 39 of his final 63.

Johnson showed flashes of dominance. A slider in the first inning nearly hit the back foot of a swinging Aaron Rowand. He froze Rich Aurilia on an inside fastball for strike three and struck out Dan Ortmeier and Brian Bocock on high fastballs.

At times, however, his location was spotty, his stuff inconsistent and his velocity just passable, as he worked in the 89-92 mph range. But if last season is any indication, this just might be the beginning for Johnson as he works into shape.

So an overall positive for the Diamondbacks in the pitching of Randy Johnson in an otherwise negative game.