Maybe the idea that Dan Johnson could return to the Majors as a knuckleball pitcher isn’t as crazy as everyone had suspected. After blanking the Lincoln Saltdogs for seven-innings in his last start, Johnson shut down the Gary Southshore RailCats for 5.2-innings, allowing just one-run in the St. Paul Saints 2-1 victory.

This was a classic pitchers’ duel as Johnson and RailCats starter Travis McGee both looked spectacular on this night. Neither team could score through the first two frames as Cameron Newell’s double was the only hit that either team generated.

In the third Gary took the lead. John Holland was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Jarred Mederos followed with a single. A sacrifice moved both runners into scoring position, and Holland scored on a ground out to make it 1-0.

Through the first four innings the Saints had just one hit, and that came on a two-out double by Tanner Vavra in the top of the third. He was thrown out trying to stretch that into a triple. Bryson Myles drew a one-out walk in the fourth and that was the only other runner to reach base through the first four-frames.

In the fifth, St. Paul rallied to take the lead. Tony Caldwell started the inning with a walk and John Kovalik came on in relief. Willie Argo singled and Aaron Gretz followed with a single that scored Caldwell to tie the score. A wild pitch brought Argo home to give the Saints their first lead of the game. They would not relinquish it.

In the bottom of the sixth the RailCats looked to at least tie the score. Reggie Wilson started the inning with a single and stole second base. Johnson retired the next two hitters, but walked Jose Gonzalez to put two on with two outs. Manager George Tsamis brought in Corey Williams, who got a ground out to end the threat.

The Saints bullpen took over and they were dominant. Williams allowed a walk in the seventh, but struck out two and maintained the one-run lead. Caleb Thielbar pitched a perfect eighth, striking out two as well. In the ninth, Ryan Rodebaugh came on and retired the RailCats in order. That gave him his American Association leading 22nd save and ran his consecutive scoreless outing streak to 15.

The two teams combined for just eight total hits. Argo was the only batter with more than one hit, going 2-3 with a run scored. Johnson (3-2) pitched 5.2-innings. He allowed 4-hits, 1-run, and 1-walk. He also struck out 1.

The final game of this three-game set is tomorrow at 7:10. Mark Hamburger (11-2) will go for the St. Paul Saints looking to end his personal two-game losing streak.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier