After a 2012 season that saw Baltimore Orioles closer Jim Johnson save 51 games, the last three games for the Baltimore “fireman” have been uneventful.
Coming into the ninth-inning with a 4-3 lead over the New York Yankees on Monday, Johnson would surrender a solo home run to Travis Hafner, which would tie the game 4-4 and force extra-innings where the Orioles would eventually lose 6-4 in 10 innings.
Monday night’s performance was Johnson’s third straight blown save of the season, matching his total from all of last season.
On Tuesday, Johnson surrendered two runs to San Diego en route to a 1-3 loss. On Saturday, Johnson would come into the ninth-inning with a 6-5 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays; however, Johnson would allow five runs in just 1/3 of an inning of work before being replaced by Darren O’Day.
In this three-game span, Johnson has seen his ERA jump from 0.95 to 4.22. Johnson had previously converted 35 consecutive save opportunities dating back to last season before his recent skid of three straight blown saves.
