Not much of a performance this afternoon by Josh Johnson, who was lifted after four innings. That marks Johnson's shortest outing since a 4-inning start on June 29, 2007 -- just before he was lost for the season and underwent Tommy John surgery.
Johnson's downfall Thursday was his inability to throw strikes. He threw fewer than 50 percent of his pitches (40 of 82) for strikes and ended up walking five.
The decision to pull Johnson appeared to be made abruptly after he batted (struck out) in the top of the fifth, as Burke Badenhop, who had been warming up earlier, resumed throwing -- only with a greater sense of urgency. Manager Fredi Gonzalez came out of the dugout to speak with home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman, perhaps -- and this is PURE SPECULATION -- to find out whether Badenhop could be permitted extra warmup pitches? Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley could also be seen conferring with Johnson inside the dugout. We'll find out soon enough what it was all about.
Update: Just learned from the Marlins that Johnson was not lifted due to injury.
Speaking of Wiley, he spent a good part of the morning studying videotape of Ricky Nolasco's abysmal outing Wednesday night.
"A work in progress," was Wiley's only comment on Nolasco's struggles.
Time to Fire Fredi Gonzalez he has been here for far too long.
Posted by: SickofFrediandAmezaga | May 14, 2009 at 03:13 PM
I'd be shocked if he wasn't hurt.
To bat and then not come back out? That's a big sign.
Posted by: Evan | May 14, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Why did he bat? Was he the best option off the bench?
Posted by: Evan | May 14, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Nice job boys keep up the hard work....Starting pitching looks great and the errors are down!! Stikeouts are down too...Fredi you are the master motivator!! You and Wiley and Presley really have the guys focused and energized. We'll fill up that new stadium to watch these tremendously talented young players no problem!! Larry Beinfest you don't even have to watch the games...your pitchers are throwing gems and you can really see the young pitchers blossoming before our very eyes.
Posted by: vivasicily | May 14, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Worst team in the history of baseball. Let's build them TWO stadiums.
Posted by: Fire Everybody | May 14, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Fredi was never a good choice to manage this team, let Andre Dawson manage these guys and kick some you know what.
Posted by: Jorge | May 14, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Let anyone but Fredi be a manager. Get him on a raft and out of the US of A
Posted by: SickofFrediandAmezaga | May 14, 2009 at 09:33 PM