Jim Johnson News

You hear that? Yeah, me neither. It is the sound, or the silence, of Closer Gate 2012.

The Baltimore Orioles will not go away. After 45 games, the Birds are averaging 4.62 runs a game.

You know it's May 2012 if I'm genuinely surprised that the Orioles dropped a series to the Red Sox.

The turn-around of Brian Matusz, the struggles of Tommy Hunter, Jason Hamel's knee problems, the futures of Zach Britton Dylan Bundy, and the best closer in baseball: Jim Johnson.

It seems as though just yesterday was the start of the 2012 MLB Season. Yet we find ourselves in the middle of May at the quarter-mark of the 162-game season wondering, "Where did all that time go?" That's baseball for you, folks.

Brian Matusz tossed 6 1/3 innings of two-hit, one-run ball as the Baltimore Orioles downed the Boston Red Sox, 4-1, in the middle contest of a three-game set on Tuesday at Camden Yards.

Be it big flies or short flies, Kevin Youkilis was comfortable with both Monday night.

After Jim Johnson seized the closer's role in the second half of last year and converted his final eight save chances, the Orioles knew they had a guy who could finish games if they needed him to.

I try to be diligent in responding to comments in these posts each week but for whatever reason I totes dropped the ball, ala Yancy Thigpen, and missed the comments from last week's post.

While sitting in the dugout during Saturday's game, INF Jeff Keppinger was struck in the right foot by a foul ball off the bat of Braves LF Martin Prado .

The Baltimore Orioles haven't had a winning season in a very long time. The Orioles had one of the worst records in baseball last year.

Adam Jones and Nick Markakis hit two-run homers and Baltimore matched a season high with its fifth straight win.

WASHINGTON, DC Since the Orioles and Washington Nationals began their so-called rivalry in 2006, there's been a consistent theme.

With the 2012 season well under way, we're starting to see names already surface in MVP discussions as players like Josh Hamilton and Matt Kemp take the league by storm with their outstanding play.

Taken on April 22nd as Jim Johnson struck out Howie Kendrick to end the game and salvage one win in Los Angeles.

The Orioles' slugger followed up his eventual winning homer in the 15th inning the previous night with a two-run shot on Thursday, helping Baltimore climb back from a three-run deficit to beat the Royals 5-3 and win their seventh straight road game.

The Orioles are fortunate to be surrounded by dedicated military personnel throughout the region, and the organization is grateful for all of those who risk their lives each day for our country.

First, let me address the concern that zknower raised over Jim Johnson's score being incorrect.

With the 2012 season well under way, we're starting to see names already surface in MVP discussions as players like Josh Hamilton and Matt Kemp take the league by storm with their outstanding play.

Every offseason, it would be nice to know exactly who is going to be available. However, many players have options added to their contracts, which allow them to either be a free agent or with the team for another year.