FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Lefty Brian Johnson has one more start remaining this spring -- Friday against Minnesota -- but he's already made a strong impression on the Red Sox.
Johnson pitched four innings Sunday and allowed two runs on four hits in a 3-2, 10-inning win for the Sox over the Tampa Bay Rays. He walked two and struck out three and has a 2.93 ERA in Grapefruit League action.
"I think this has been a very productive spring for him,'' said manager John Farrell. "He has certainly helped his cause here. He's has a very good mound presence, good poise. He's attacked the strike zone and he works as a very quick pace. Sometimes that gets the better of him, where he might rush into some pitches. But he's shown very well.''
Asked if he thought he made a good showing in camp, Johnson said: "I would say that I have. (Where I stand in relation to other young pitchers) is out of my control. I just want to go out there and show than I can compete and give the team a chance to win every time I take the ball.''
If there's been one issue for Johnson, it's been some wayward command issues. He walked the first batter of the game on a 3-and-2 curveball and has
issued eight walks in 16 1/3 innings.
"He's a guy who's typically has good command of the strike zone,'' said Farrell, "but a couple of times during the course of his outings, there's been some base-on balls that have lead off an inning that result in a run.''