Florida Marlins: Ace Punched Ticket for MLB All-Star Game

The New York Yankees are a good example of a day's work for the opposing starters. The Yankees never make it easy with a lineup that is loaded from positions one to nine, which prompted former Marlins manager and now-Tigers manager Jim Leyland to say it's Murderers' Row. Cano said the same thing when he was previewing the match up between his Tigers and the Yankees in the 2006 ALDS.

On Saturday night, Marlins ace Josh Johnson had the arduous task of facing the Yankees' hitters, and going up against his counterpart, Josh Beckett, who has been a fine investment so far in the Yankees' 2008 spending spree.

Johnson handled the challenge like a pitcher that was wise beyond his age. He pitched well in seven inning by giving up a run and three hits while striking out five and allowing two walks, and it was good enough for him to get a 2-1 victory with the help of Dan Uggla's home run, Johnny Damon's error, it sent Hanley Ramirez home from first, and his relievers.

Johnson had the Yankees under his command. The Yankees could not muster anything off him, and at one point, he retired eleven Yankees in a row.

He made it look easy on the mound as the Yankees were taking shorter at-bats in their second turn off facing him, and it sure looked like they were frustrated that they were not getting anything off him.

Johnson's velocity was at its 90s, and he was able to mix his slider along with his fastball when he was throwing the ball, which confused the Yankees.

In the seventh inning, he looked like he was done, and he was relying on guile to help him get through a jam. The Yankees were able to get on base on a walk and couple of hits, and they got a run out of it. He was in danger of tying the game up, but he struck out Melky Cabrera to end the Yankees' threat.

That may have been more impressive than what he did in the first six innings because he was in danger of letting this game get away, and the Yankees have a history of beating up starters once they don't have it, which is one reason why they have had many comeback victories this season.

For the Marlins to win, they needed him to do what he did last night because A.J. Burnett was also very good. Burnett made one mistake, and that was giving up a home run to Dan Uggla.

After the game, everyone was talking about Johnson, and rightfully so. Anytime someone can go shut down a great hitting team like the Yankees, he will be getting everyone's attention.

Johnson got a hug from Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, and then his teammates such as Hanley Ramirez and Cody Ross were campaigning their starter to be in the All-Star Game, which he will likely be selected.

Johnson has the credentials to represent the Marlins along with Hanley Ramirez in St. Louis. He has been the team's best pitcher for couple of years now, and he always gives his best stuff every fifth day, which results to his team winning games.

He leads the National League in innings pitched, and he is fifth in earned-run average, which is what should stand out when NL All-Star manager Charlie Manuel makes his selections. The fact Manuel sees Johnson pitched often should make this one a cinch for him.

Everything is magnified whenever the Yankees come to town or if the team goes to New York to play them, and so often times, the Yankees will get their best from the other team and their players.

The Yankees got just that last night from one of the best pitchers in the game today.