NL Best of the Night: Marlins' Josh Johnson Shuts Down Red Sox

It seems like a long time ago now, but remember when we were worried about Josh Johnson? 

Returning from offseason shoulder surgery, Johnson was expected to resume his role as the Miami Marlins' ace. But he wasn't sharp to begin the season and probably a bit afraid to really cut loose with his pitches. 

Johnson looks pretty sharp now. Monday night, he held the Boston Red Sox to one run and four hits over seven innings, adding seven strikeouts in a 4-1 victory for the Marlins. 

That win snapped the Marlins' six-game losing streak. Johnson did what an ace is often asked to do: be the stopper and make sure these rough stretches last only so long. 

Though Johnson probably didn't need the help, considering how well he's been pitching, he may have gotten an assist from the Marlins' front office. President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest requested that the Marlins Park roof be opened on Monday night with slightly cooler temperatures and zero chance of rain in the Miami area.

Team president David Samson ran the idea by owner Jeffrey Loria and manager Ozzie Guillen, both of whom were fine with the decision. It was the first time Marlins Park was opened up since April 18.

Did opening the roof help Johnson? He didn't seem to think it hurt.

"It was cooler. It was breezy," Johnson said with a smile to the Miami Herald's Manny Navarro. "So it kind of kept the humidity down."

In his first two starts of the season, Johnson gave up 21 hits and nine runs in just 9.2 innings. He rebounded with two excellent outings, allowing three runs and 10 hits in 13.2 innings.

Maybe he just needed a couple of games to get comfortable. But that theory was discredited in his subsequent two starts. Johnson was beaten up for 11 runs and 16 hits over eight innings.

Monday's start was the seventh consecutive outing for Johnson in which he allowed three runs or fewer.

In five of those games, he didn't give up more than two runs. Since getting shelled for six runs in only 2.2 innings on May 4 against the San Diego Padres, Johnson has given the Marlins a chance to win every time he's stepped on the mound. 

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