Johnson allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings to pick up his first win of the season for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday.
Johnson was touched up for three hits and two runs in the first inning, but settled in and, along with three relievers, kept Buffalo off the scoreboard the rest of the way. The Red Sox are limiting him early -- 76 pitches in his first start, 85 on Saturday -- because he didn't a get full allotment of appearances during spring training due to a toe injury. The left-hander is not first in line should Boston need to dip down to Pawtucket for a starter, but his floor is higher than Henry Owens or Roenis Elias. Moreover, not doing any damage could be the lead requirement for Boston in a pinch.