Johnson settling in with 66ers

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Johnson settling in with 66ers
05/21/2009 1:17 AM ET
By John Torenli / Special to MLB.com

Steve Johnson didn't fare too well in his first stint with Class A Advanced Inland Empire last year.
So far this season, the 21-year-old right-hander appears to be much more comfortable on the historically hitter-friendly circuit.
"Just the second time through the league sometimes helps," Johnson said. "When you've been around the league, facing the same hitters, it makes a difference. I've gotten a little better with some of my pitches, my mechanics, and my slider has been unbelievable the last few games. I have a nice downward plane to it, and it definitely helps."
It certainly did Wednesday night.
Johnson allowed three hits and matched a season high with 10 strikeouts over a career-best 8 2/3 innings as the 66ers held on for a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Giants.
Ben Copeland ripped Johnson's first pitch of the night to right field for a double but was thrown out at third. From there, the Dodgers' 13th-round pick in the 2005 Draft put together the best performance of his Minor League career.
"It's ironic," said 66ers manager Carlos Subero. "He gave up a leadoff double. When a game starts like that, you would think it would be a long night. He didn't give up another hit until the ninth."
After issuing leadoff walks to Buster Posey in the second and Brian Bocock in the third, Johnson (3-2) set the Giants down in order in the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth before running into trouble in the final frame.
"All my pitches were working," said Johnson, who has fanned 27 over 19 2/3 innings in his last three starts. "It's real funny. I never considered myself a strikeout pitcher. I throw a lot of strikes and want them to put the ball in play. I actually want to cut down the strikeouts a little because it makes me throw too many pitches."
Attempting to become the first 66er to toss a complete game since Marlon Arias' no-hitter against Bakersfield on May 9, 2007, Johnson surrendered another leadoff double to Copeland, who stayed put at second.
Nick Noonan and Thomas Neal flied out to center field, leaving Johnson within an out of his first career complete game. But Posey came through with an RBI single up the middle to end Johnson's night after 105 pitches.
"It was a pretty big disappointment [not finishing the game]," Johnson admitted. "I always wanted to go nine and finish the game on the mound. But I can't be too disappointed. I pitched well and there will be other games."
Southpaw Greg Miller came on and took full advantage of his first save opportunity of the season, fanning Roger Kieschnick on three pitches to wrap up Johnson's second win in three outings and the 66ers' third victory in four games.
"He more than did his job," Subero said of Johnson. "We had our lefty out of the 'pen and we went for it. I think [Johnson] knew that Posey was going to be his last hitter."
A Midwest League All-Star last season, Johnson went 9-2 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts at Class A Great Lakes before getting the call to Inland Empire. However, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Baltimore native went 3-6 with a 7.10 ERA in 11 starts with the 66ers, losing his last five decisions.
"He's throwing the same pitches with pretty much the same velocity," Inland Empire pitching coach and former Major League knuckleballer Charlie Hough said. "But his command and maturity have improved."
The Pioneer League leader with 86 strikeouts for Ogden in 2006, Johnson had a disappointing 2007 season, going 3-6 with a 4.85 ERA in 18 outings for the Loons. He rebounded quickly from that campaign and is doing the same with the 66ers this year.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.