Brian Johnson tosses perfect six innings in PawSox win

Brian Johnson sent a message to Ben Cherington with six innings of perfect baseball against Louisville on Friday night. Johnson, prone to giving up walks, had no free passes and nine strikeouts in his 74 pitch effort. Johnson was relieved by Miguel Celestino for a perfect seventh inning before the no-hitter was spoiled by Eugenio Suarez with one out in the eighth.

Johnson’s outing was predetermined since he had exceeded 90 pitches in each of his last three starts so it was six innings and out for Johnson.

The 24-year-old left-handed Johnson is the seventh ranked prospect, according to Sox Prospects, and has been outstanding at Pawtucket this season. Johnson has 55.1 innings pitched in which he has allowed 42 hits while striking out 55. Johnson’s walk total now sits at 17 and his ERA at 2.60.

Johnson, a first round pick in 2012, has an excellent change-up to go with a fastball that tops out at 95 and a slider and curve that he mixes in.

The PawSox won the game 1-0 with Heath Hembree finishing out the last 1.2 innings. The PawSox gathered in the winning run in the second inning on a single by Deven Marrero with the bases loaded that scored Allen Craig – Craig is now hitting .321. Josh Smith took the loss (1-2) for Louisville and for Johnson it was win number six against three losses.

With the recent success of Steven Wright and the first start heroics of Eduardo Rodriguez the Pawtucket staff is now starting to produce pitchers that could have an impact for the Red Sox. Johnson and fellow first round selection, Henry Owens, a 22-year-old left-hander, are now offering some pitching promise as they continue to develop at Pawtucket.

More from BoSox Injection

Home/Red Sox Prospects