43 Jim Johnson, RP

Orioles closer Jim Johnson, backed by manager Buck Showalter and teammates after three consecutive blown saves, was given the ball with a 2-2 tie in the 10th inning Tuesday at home against the Yankees. 

Johnson pitched a 1-2-3 inning on just eight pitches and the Orioles hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th. Johnson earned the win to improve to 2-4 on the year with a 4.03 ERA. 

Johnson's three blown saves have been well publicized, especially after he'd recorded a franchise record 35 consecutive saves just before the slump on the mound. 

Orioles manager Buck Showalter once again backed closer Jim Johnson Monday after he blew his third consecutive save, MLB.com reports.
Johnson can't help but take all the blame for much of Baltimore's current six-game losing streak.

"Well, three of them are my fault. The other guys do their job and I do mine, then we’re not standing here," Johnson said. "I think everybody’s doing a great job. I’m just not pulling my weight. And I’ll figure it out."

Johnson went on to reason that he's leaving the ball up and over the plate.

"That seems to be the common thing lately," Johnson said. "Just not making the adjustment. I’m trying. You know, doing everything. I’m going to work through it. Just like anybody else would. I just need to execute, you know. Balls are coming up, hittable. Just make better pitches."

Orioles closer Jim Johnson became the first pitcher since 2011 with blown saves in three consecutive appearances Monday against the Yankees.

Johnson blew his third straight save as he allowed a game-tying home run to Travis Hafner with one out and nobody on base. Yankees won, 6-4, in 10 innings.

Johnson gave up a run on two hits with a strikeout in the inning. He threw 23 pitches and his ERA is now at 4.22. He blew only three saves all of last year.

Johnson has given up eight runs on nine hits -- two homers -- over his last three appearances spanning 2 1/3 innings with two losses and three blown saves. Just Sunday, manager Buck Showalter backed Johnson as his closer. 

Orioles closer Jim Johnson followed up a blown save in his last appearance by blowing another one Saturday. He was charged with five earned runs after allowing three hits and two walks.

Johnson entered Sunday with a 1.80 ERA, but ended the day at 3.98.

Orioles closer Jim Johnson blew his first save of the season Tuesday at home against the Padres. His streak of 35 consecutive regular-season saves came to an end. 

Johnson gave up four hard hits in the ninth trying to protect a one-run lead. He was aided by a double play, but the Padres still scored twice off him to take over, 3-2. Johnson blew the save and took the loss to fall to 1-3 with a 1.80 ERA. 

The last time Johnson blew a regular season save was July 27, 2012 against Oakland. He gave up six earned runs over 1/3 of an inning in that outing.