Randy Johnson does not fair well in AAA start

The Big Unit had a tough rehab outing in Tucson last night, as he pitched the first of his expected two starts for the Sidewinders. At least the Sidewinders drew a big crowd, 11,765, for its season opener. Having Johnson pitch will always have that effect.

This is the last year for the Sidewinders in Tucson, as they pack their bags and head to Reno next year.

Johnson gave up five runs on eight hits in four innings of work. Fortunately, all of the runs given up were in the first and second innings, so he was able to settle down a bit and pitch a scoreless third and fourth. His pitch count got up to 78, so he continues to build endurance.

"You want to see some results and I really didn't start getting that until the last couple innings, and by that time I was already at my pitch count," Johnson said. "I got some work ahead of me starting tomorrow."

Johnson seemed a bit concerned about his innings pitched with that amount of work, but is hoping to get it in his next start.

"We'll make a decision after that start, but I'd like to think things will improve a little bit from a pitching perspective and I get my amount of work in that I need to get in spread over six innings or five innings because if I'm pitching that way in four innings, there's no way I can go five," Johnson said.

No pressure Randy.....but the big club really needs ya.....