The B-List: 6/14

It is hard to argue with Jason Johnson's first inning: he threw 13 pitches, and only the first was a ball. The Yankees fouled off 6 pitches, suggesting that Johnson had nice movement on his pitches. More importantly, not one ball left the infield, two of the outs were on ground balls, and there were no baserunners. That's pretty much The Prescription for a successful Jason Johnson start.

In the second inning, he gave up two singles, but they were simply balls hit up the middle instead of at someone, he struck out K-Rod, and only Jason Giambi watched a second ball. In the third, more of the same: no hits, two groundouts, right around the plate.

Then the wheels loosened.

Three balls to Giambi, an extra-base hit, and only the ability to induce a double play kept the damage to two runs (although, arguably, it should have been one if Broussard had not oiled up his glove before the game). This bodes ill: this violates the prescription, and should be considered enough reason to shorten the leash (anything Johnson lets get in the air that isn't a popup should be considered a Harbinger of Home Runs To Come).

The fifth wasn't terrible, but it certainly indicated a loss of a lug nut or two: a home run (to noted slugger Johnny Damon) and a walk (never good for Johnson) and that's probably enough of that. I know he hadn't even thrown 80 pitches, but I'm not concerned about Johnson's arm, I'm concerned about Johnson's effectiveness. It was waning.

Then the wheels fell off, and the only two people in the stadium surprised by this were Eric Wedge and Jason Johnson. At least Johnson has an excuse: self-delusion. That, and "being under a microscope." Dork.