May 28, 2006 was the last time Jason Johnson could taste the winning side of a Major League start. Over 2 years later, he finally got that feeling back again.
Johnson gave the Dodgers exactly what they needed in going 6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K in leading them to a win over the San Francisco Giants, 2-0. In 13 innings this season, he's only given up 2 runs, good for a 1.38 ERA.
With Matt Cain on the mound for the Giants, I knew runs were going to be at a premium once again. Cain actually has some pretty lousy career numbers against the Dodgers, much to my surprise (let's face it, any pitcher with bad numbers in recent history against the Dodgers is doing something wrong). He's now a career 0-5 with a 4.67 ERA. But, he has plenty of talent, and last night only gave up 2 runs in 7 innings.
The Dodgers did a decent job of getting men on base, as they got 9 hits, and were able to steal 4 bases. What killed them was (you guessed it) a lack of quality, 2-out hitting. In all, they left 7 men on base, and 6 of them in scoring position with 2 down. All they needed was 1 hit in that situation, and they could have had themselves a more comfortable lead. They sure like to play with fire.
Luckily for Johnson, the scoring came in the 6th, just after he made his last pitch for the night. Matt Kemp singled and stole 2nd to start the inning. After Andre Ethier advanced him on a fielder's choice, Jeff Kent lined out to 3rd for 2 down. James Loney singled home Kemp for a rare 2-out hit to give the Dodgers the 1-run lead.
Now here's where things get interesting. Casey Blake hit a double down the left field line. Fred Lewis bobbled the ball, and it appeared to go on top of the wall. The umpire ruled the ball out of play, allowing Loney to come around and score. Lewis claimed that the ball never went out of play, but to no avail. It's not like it mattered in the end since the Giants scored zip anyway, but still, a very strange play.
Chan Ho Park pitched a scoreless 7th and into the 8th, where Jonathan Broxton then took over for the 4-out save. Broxton has been great lately, gathering 3 of the 4 outs on K's. He's now 5-5 in save opportunities with Takashi Saito out. I would think his recent surge has quieted talks about acquiring a reliever like George Sherrill or Huston Street, but who knows.
The homestand is now at 4-1, which is obviously very good. It continues tonight in the finale of the 3-game set with the Giants as Chad Billingsley goes against Jonathan Sanchez in a good young guy matchup. Bills has clearly been the staff ace lately, and is finally over the .500 mark. A win tonight gives them big momentum before the Arizona Diamondbacks come into town for a big 4-game series.
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