There is a lot of debate about how to define the term "ace" for starting pitchers. No matter what the exact definition is, Josh Johnson qualifies.
Johnson was stellar for eight innings tonight at Dodger Stadium, leading the Florida Marlins to a 4 - 0 victory over the Dodgers. Hiroki Kuroda pitched six excellent innings as well, but he also hurled one not-so-good one, allowing all four Florida runs in the top of the second inning, yielding a three-run home run to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks product Mike Stanton to complete the night's scoring.
The Ronald Belisario story remains as mysterious as ever. Tony Jackson at ESPN Los Angeles reports:
The agent for Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario used the word "anxiety" when asked on Wednesday why the right-hander had suddenly, inexplicably been placed on the restricted list by the team for the second time this year, a move the Dodgers announced as being for personal reasons.
Paul Kinzer, Belisario's Atlanta-based agent, wouldn't elaborate beyond that.
"It's just some personal problems, and he's got some things he's got to work through," Kinzer said. "It's just a lot of anxiety, and that is about all I want to say right now."
Pressed on what he meant by the word "anxiety," Kinzer declined to offer details.
WP - Josh Johnson (9-3): 8 IP, 6 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts
LP - Hiroki Kuroda (7-7): 7 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts
S - None