Aug. 28--ATLANTA -- One word kept bouncing around Josh Johnson's brain throughout his 11-month recovery process from major elbow surgery
Finish.
What began as a motivational key to get him through the excruciating workouts following his Aug. 3, 2007 surgery has since morphed into a general life philosophy.
"That's the key word right there," the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now!' right-hander said after mowing down the Braves in a 4-1 win Wednesday night at Turner Field. "Finish what you're doing -- rehabbing, games, whatever it is. Just finish."
Combined with the Mets' win over the Phillies, the third-place Marlins pulled back within 51/2 games of first in the National League East.
Johnson was speaking from the perspective of a man who had just tossed a four-hitter for the first nine-inning complete game of his life.
Oh, there had been shutouts in high school, but those only lasted seven innings. Those two complete games in the minors had been seven and five innings, respectively.
So, yeah, it meant plenty to Johnson, 24, that manager Fredi Gonzalez sent him back out for the ninth with 99 pitches already on his log.
"JJ was terrific," Gonzalez said. "JJ was going to go as far as we could get him."
Struggling closer Kevin Gregg was given the night off, so relievers Arthur Rhodes and Matt Lindstrom began warming up in the ninth. Yet Johnson, brandishing a low-90s fastball and a big-breaking slider, stayed out there even after the Braves brought the tying run to the plate with two outs.
Johnson quickly got Martin Prado to bounce into a fielder's choice, ending the threat and giving the big Oklahoman a 113-pitch complete game.
"First time I've ever actually finished a game," he said. "Felt good."
