JIM DANDY: Orioles closer Jim Johnson pumps his fist as he strikes out Alex Rodriguez for the final out to save Baltimore’s 3-2 victory last night in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees. (Reuters)
BALTIMORE — Darren O’Day could tell Jim Johnson had put his meltdown behind him.
After Johnson allowed five runs in one-third of an inning Sunday night as the Yankees won Game 1 of the American League Division Series, O’Day noticed in the trainers’ room his fellow Orioles reliever was at ease, able to joke about fantasy football, able to laugh.
“He was already moving on,” O’Day said.
Johnson moved much further last night, rebounding from his Game 1 debacle and closing out the Yankees with a perfect ninth inning in the Orioles’ 3-2 series-tying Game 2 victory.
Johnson zipped through the Yankees on 12 pitches in earning the save, blowing away Alex Rodriguez on a 96-mph fastball to end the game as Camden Yards exploded in cheers.
There had to be questions about whether Johnson could be successful in a key situation in this series after his Game 1 failure. Despite a 51-save season, he hadn’t had any playoff experience prior to this year. But Johnson was superb last night.
“I really felt the same confidence level both days,” Johnson said. “Today I executed my pitches and [got] better results.”
Johnson was asked if he wanted to pitch last night, and he said yes, although it’s hard to imagine a closer admitting he wouldn’t. Of course, as Johnson said: “It would have been nice with a little more cushion, but that’s the way things usually work out.”
In Game 1, Johnson entered in the ninth inning, the game tied at 2-2, and proceeded to surrender a leadoff homer to Russell Martin. He gave up four more runs (three earned) in the inning en route to a 7-2 loss.
Last night, Johnson was flawless. He opened by retiring Derek Jeter on a first-pitch grounder to short. He then got Ichiro Suzuki on a grounder to second before setting Rodriguez on a swinging third strike down to send the series back to The Bronx knotted at 1-1.
Not that his teammates expected any less.
“He’s coming in the game in a save situation,” Orioles center fielder Adam Jones said. “He’s our closer.”
“It’s real easy, like I said last night, to trust Jim Johnson. He’s done it a few times for us,” Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. “He’s having a special year, a special year.”
And a big rebound in Game 2.