Roy Halladay renders comparison with Josh Johnson meaningless as he lifts Philadelphia Phillies
Josh Johnson leaves Miami Marlins in envy of Roy Halladay who breezed through them while their own ace dithered on the mound. Before the game started, the matchup between them was touted the best to watch out for. However, the way it ended was far less an
interesting comparison.
Johnson has not delivered a win since last season, whereas Halladay is alone taking his injury-plagued side to competitive performances in every game he is starting.
Halladay gave up just one run while Johnson was drawn five runs in the game. The command Halladay exhibited and an ease with which he knocked the Marlins down was reflective of the kind of threat he is for the opponents in the season.
Johnson on the other hand fell to an offence, which is far weaker and is without the stars like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley and thus his inability to capitalise on this point to an even worse outing he had there.
Not fazed by a poor outing Johnson said after the game that he is gradually picking the momentum and will soon be as good for the side as he is expected to be.
"I felt pretty good. It was a lot better than the first game, a lot better," Johnson said. "I don't think I've given up a ball to the wall or anything like that. It just seems things are going the exact opposite of last year. Just got to keep going out there
and battling."
Marlins’ fans will have harder time thinking on the way their starter betrayed the kind of feelings they brought to the mind before the game. In-fact, along with the defeat, poor show by the starter will add to their worries.
In an attempt to alleviate pressure from Johnson, current Marlins manager reiterated faith in him, believing that it is not far when fans will witness the best of him.
"He did miss almost the whole year last year. … It's going to take a little bit of time to be the J.J. that you all know," stand-in manager Joey Cora said.
As it is just a start and the season is wide open, one can never nullify the possibility of Johnson gaining momentum and turning out to be one of the best starters later. Given his career record of 671 strike-outs, one can never rule it out.
Tags: