Boston Red Sox: Brian Johnson Earns First MLB Win Despite Rough Outing

Boston Red Sox pitcher Brian Johnson manages to take home his first major league win thanks to good run support.

With Eduardo Rodriguez out on paternity leave, 26 year old rookie LHP Brian Johnson was called up and given the start for the Boston Red Sox against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Johnson was eager to wow the coaching staff in his second career start (and first since 2015).

Johnson’s final stat line is 5IP, 7 H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 6K, 2HR and a 7.20 ERA

Needless to say, his performance wasn’t to par with what he was hoping to get out of his big chance.

In fact it’s pretty similar to his first major league start against the Houston Astros. Johnson went 4.1 innings, giving up three hits and four runs, walking four and striking out three.

Game Summary

Johnson began with a shaky start to the night, giving up two runs and four hits (two of which were doubles) across seven batters in the first.

Toronto nearly added to their lead in the second inning with the bases loaded and one out. Johnson barely squeezed out of the jam by striking out Kendrys Morales followed by getting Troy Tulowitzki to line out.

The Boston Red Sox scored three in the top of the third to take the lead off of a Mookie Betts RBI single and a Mitch Moreland 2 RBI single.

The third inning refused to be nice to Johnson however as his first pitch was blasted by Justin Smoak to left center to tie up the ball game.

With the game still tied after four the Red Sox put three more on the board to solidify Johnson’s chance for the win. Hanley Ramirez, Moreland and Pablo Sandoval all each drove in a run in the inning to make it 6-3 Red Sox.

Nearing the end of his night, Johnson got the first two batters in the bottom of the fifth out easily before Russell Martin hit his first home run of the season.

Johnson got out of the inning by causing Steve Pearce to fly out to end his night.

The Red Sox nearly fall apart down the stretch as Matt Barnes gave up three runs in the 9th. He held on however to win 8-7.

The Boston Red Sox are now 9-5 on the season while the Blue Jays fall to 2-11.

“Bad Luck” Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson didn’t pitch as he would have hoped, but with the win his performance was far from being added to the list of bad luck he’s had during his career.

During the Futures at Fenway game In 2012, a come-backer hit Johnson in the face, fracturing multiple bones.

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He was hit in the head a second time on April 8th this season. Luckily he escaped uninjured on this occasion.

He was carjacked in 2015, though neither him nor his friends were injured.

The lefty had to wait until July 21st, 2015 for his first major league start. Nearing the end of 2014 season the Boston Red Sox had a rotation almost entirely comprised of rookies after trading Jon Lester and John Lackey. Johnson was on the DL during that time with elbow irritation.

He even had to take a couple of months away from baseball in 2016 to seek treatment for anxiety.

For the Future

Despite all of the hardships Johnson has fought against during his baseball career the former 1st round draft pick is still determined to do his best and succeed.

Head Coach John Farrell has complemented the lefty on his resiliency and competitiveness.

With AAA affiliate Pawtucket Johnson has played well so far this year with an 0-0 record on two starts.

He’s holding a 1.69 ERA on two runs allowed in 10.2 innings of work in the minors.

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Even if Johnson’s performance doesn’t earn him more appearances this year he will certainly be a player to watch and cheer for.

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