Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson blew the save in Wednesday’s Game 3 against the Yankees, allowing a game-tying solo homer to Raul Ibanez in the bottom of the ninth.

Johnson made just one mistake, but Ibanez made him pay for a belt-high fastball right over the heart of the plate, serving it into the right-field seats. The O’s closer nailed down the save in Game 2, but he’s now allowed six runs — five earned — over three appearances this series.

Jim Johnson tossed a perfect ninth inning Sunday against the Red Sox to earn his 50th save of the year.

Johnson got Scott Podsednik to fly out, then induced consecutive groundouts against James Loney and Ryan Lavarnway. The Baltimore closer now has a 2.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 41/14 K/BB ratio in 67 2/3 innings this season. The Orioles remain tied with the Yankees at the top of the American League East standings.

Jim Johnson retired all three hitters he faced on Saturday, preserving a one-run victory against the Red Sox.

Johnson notched his league-leading 49th save of the season. He has done a tremendous job in his first full year in the role, posting a 2.57 ERA and 41/14 K/BB ratio in 66 2/3 innings. He’s now successfully converted 49-of-51 save chances on the season, including each of his last 18 dating back to July 27.

Jim Johnson locked up his 39th save of the season in Friday’s victory over the Blue Jays, retiring all three hitters he faced including a pair of strikeouts.

Johnson has been simply tremendous in his first full season as the Orioles stopper. He’s tied with Fernando Rodney for the MLB lead with 39 saves, and has got them while posting a 3.02 ERA. The only thing holding him back from being a truly elite closer is his strikeout rate, recording only 32 in 53 2/3 innings on the season.

Jim Johnson came completely unglued in the ninth inning on Friday, surrendering six runs on five hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning.

After retiring Yoenis Cespedes to lead off the inning, the next six A’s reached by way of five singles and a walk, chasing Johnson from the game. Luis Ayala then allowed a two-run double to Seth Smith, completing his horrendous line. Johnson has been very good on the season, converting 30-of-33 save chances, but it is a little concerning that he’s now allowed five or more earned runs in two of his last six outings.

Jim Johnson recorded his second save in two days with a scoreless ninth against the Twins on Thursday.

Johnson protected one-run leads in both cases. He previously allowed three runs — one earned — in a blown save against the Tigers on Saturday and five runs in the 19-7 loss to the Twins on Monday, but it looks like he’s over whatever was ailing him then.

Jim Johnson blew his second save of the season on Saturday, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits as the Tigers staged a ninth inning comeback.

Miguel Cabrera led off the inning with a single, and Delmon Young reached on an error with one out. Jhonny Peralta singled home a run, and Brennan Boesch doubled home another to pull the Tigers to within a run. After striking out pinch-hitter Alex Avila, Quintin Berry lined an RBI single into left field to tie the game. Even with the shaky outing, Johnson has been tremendous this season, converting 26-of-28 save opportunities while posting a 1.41 ERA through 38 1/3 innings.

Jim Johnson shut down the Mariners in the ninth inning Tuesday, picking up his 24th save of 2012.

The 1-2-3 inning improved Johnson’s ERA to 1.26 and WHIP to 0.76. About the only nit to pick with Johnson as an elite fantasy closer is that he doesn’t have a great strikeout rate. He does, however, have great control and a starter’s arsenal. Johnson’s emergence as a lock-down closer is a big part of the reason the Orioles are 43-37 at the moment.

Jim Johnson shut down the Pirates in the ninth inning Tuesday, picking up his 19th save of 2012.

The Orioles entered the inning with a four-run lead, but after a Neil Walker two-run home run Johnson was called upon to get the two-out save. He needed only six pitches, including a rare strikeout. His 19 saves put him second in the majors, trailing only Chris Perez. Johnson’s emergence as a lock-down closer is a big part of the reason the Orioles are 34-26 at the moment.