Johnson’s 4 hits lift Astros by Brewers
June 30, 2010
MILWAUKEE (AP)—Chris Johnson(notes) starred during spring training before his faststart was derailed by an early-season injury.
Now, he appears to be back from the minor leagues for good.
Milwaukee Brewers starting pit… AP – Jun 30, 2:19 pm EDT Hou-Mil Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Houston 9 Milwaukee 5 Mon, Jun 28 – Final Houston 5 Milwaukee 7 Tue, Jun 29 – Final Houston 5 Milwaukee 1 Wed, Jun 30 – Final
Johnson had his second four-hit game in five contests and led the HoustonAstros to a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.
“To watch C.J. put up with some of the stuff he’s had to, and not gottenupset, he came up here and took advantage of the opportunity,” said Geoff Blum(notes),who went 2 for 2 with two walks and three runs scored. “It’s fun to watch.”
Johnson led the Grapefruit League with eight home runs and 22 RBI, and madethe Astros out of spring training. He strained a right intercostal muscle andwas placed on the disabled list on April 20. He was then sent to Triple-A RoundRock when he recovered in May.
He batted .329 with 10 doubles, eight home runs and 33 RBI in 38 games atRound Rock, and was recalled by the Astros on June 22.
Since then, he has gone 12 for 29 (.414) with three doubles and six RBI inseven starts at third base.
“I try and do the same thing I did there (in Triple A),” he said. “That’swhat got me here. I’m trying to stay within myself and take whatever the pitchergives me. It’s working out.”
The Astros got a strong start from Wandy Rodriguez(notes), who gave up only one runin seven innings and executed a perfect suicide squeeze bunt to snap a tie inthe sixth inning.
“I had good command of my fastball and my breaking ball, too,” Rodriguezsaid.
Rodriguez (5-10) won his second consecutive start after a stretch in whichhe lost six of seven. The left-hander held the Brewers to 1 for 10 with runnersin scoring position, giving up one run and seven hits. He struck out six andissued one intentional walk.
“He got into key situations where he really beared down and made some goodpitches, and was able to get out of some key spots,” Astros catcher JasonCastro(notes) said.
With the score tied 1-1 with one out in the fifth and two runners on,Rodriguez struck out Prince Fielder(notes) and got Ryan Braun to ground into afielder’s choice to end the inning.
“That’s a prime example of him kind of stepping up and not letting anythingget to him, and really focusing on his pitches,” Castro said. “He did a greatjob.”
Dave Bush(notes) (3-6) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. One run scoredon a wild pitch and the other came in on Rodriguez’s squeeze. The right-handerwalked five and struck out three.
Blum opened the sixth with a walk off Bush. Johnson’s single moved him tosecond, and Castro’s fielder’s choice sent him to third with one out.
Blum then took off for home on Bush’s first pitch to Rodriguez, who put downa precise bunt midway between the plate and the mound. Blum scored without aplay to give Houston a 2-1 lead.
The Astros scored three more runs in the seventh to break open the game.Jeff Keppinger(notes) and Lance Berkman(notes) both doubled off Carlos Villanueva(notes) to start theinning and make it 3-1. Two outs later, Blum walked. Johnson’s double off theleft-field wall then scored Berkman and Blum to stretch the lead to 5-1.
Villanueva generally pitches in close games, but he has given up sevenearned runs in 3 2-3 innings over his last five appearances. Milwaukee managerKen Macha said he would consider moving rarely used left-hander Chris Capuano(notes)into Villanueva’s role.
“Villa, pitching the way he is lately, we’ve got to take a look a littlemore at what Cappy can do for us out of the bullpen,” Macha said.
Milwaukee scored its only run in the second on Jonathan Lucroy’s(notes) groundoutto shortstop that brought in Ryan Braun and put the Brewers ahead 1-0.
“We had a couple of chances to score, but we didn’t get ‘er done,” Machasaid.
Houston tied it in the fourth when Blum scored on Bush’s wild pitch.
Compounding their inability to advance runners, the Brewers also made threeouts on the bases. Casey McGehee(notes) was called out twice at third by umpire BrianGorman, with both calls being argued by Macha. Lucroy was also thrown out whiletrying to steal second.
NOTES: Johnson tied a career high with four hits. He also had four on Fridaynight at Texas. … Brewers RF Corey Hart(notes) extended his hitting streak to 15games with a single in the third. … Brewers LHP Doug Davis(notes) made his finalminor league rehab start Wednesday, giving up one run, six hits and three walks.He also struck out four for Class A Wisconsin against Quad Cities. Davis isexpected to start for the Brewers sometime next week. … The Astros (31-48)have won nine consecutive games on Wednesdays, improving their overall record onthat day to 10-3.
