Johnson pitched six scoreless innings Friday, giving up four hits and no walks while striking out five for Triple-A Pawtucket.
This was the left-hander's best outing of the season and a reminder of why he was regarded so highly as a prospect. The pinpoint control that fueled Johnson's rise through the organization was on full display Friday -- the first time he hasn't issued a free pass since May 2015. The performance was quite a relief following his three-inning outing last Sunday in which he allowed 10 baserunners and four runs -- that was his first start at Triple-A following his two-month ordeal to address an anxiety issue. He'll need to string together a few performances before the Red Sox trust him in Boston, but if Johnson can get back to level he was at early last year, he could be a depth starter for the team during the stretch run.