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Kris Johnson ends his frustrating season with one of his best starts, but Trenton earns a 5-2 win.

By KEVIN THOMAS, Staff Writer September 4, 2009

PORTLAND — When Kris Johnson walked out to the mound in the seventh inning Thursday night, he was in foreign territory.

And if there is a positive to be pulled out of the Portland Sea Dogs' 5-2 loss to the Trenton Thunder, that was it.

Johnson, 24, once an up-and-coming prospect for the Boston Red Sox, put in one of his best performances in a difficult season.

Johnson (0-3) pitched a season-high seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out two.

"Used my fastball. Got them swinging early and put it into play," Johnson said.

"I struggled all season. It was a good way to end it."

Johnson was outpitched by Trenton starter Zach McAllister (7-5), who held the Sea Dogs (64-73) to one run on four hits over 7 2/3 innings.

McAllister, 21, one of the New York Yankees' top pitching prospects, was a third-round draft pick in 2006.

Ryan Kalish scored both Portland runs, the second on a ninth-inning home run against reliever Grant Duff.

The only rally Portland mounted against McAllister came in the fourth. Kalish walked, went to third on a single by Jorge Jimenez and scored on a double play, closing the score to 2-1.

Trenton (68-69) tagged reliever Derek Loop for three runs in the eighth inning.

Johnson's one hiccup came in the third when he gave up two runs on a walk and three singles, all grounders into right field. After that, Johnson retired 11 straight.

"Some ground-ball hits, but he was real efficient," Portland Manager Arnie Beyeler said. "A nice finish for him."

Johnson, a sandwich-round pick (40th overall) in 2006, compiled a 3.63 ERA for Portland last year. This year, he took part in major league spring training and began the season with Triple-A Pawtucket.

After beginning with two straight scoreless five-inning starts, Johnson lost his groove. He was 3-13 with a 6.35 ERA in 22 outings before coming back to Portland two weeks ago.

"My fastball command (wasn't there), then I lost confidence in pitches," Johnson said. "And then I tried to do too much.

"Tonight I just pounded it down in the zone and didn't try to do too much."

NOTES: Kalish's blast, into the upper rows of the right-field pavilion, was his 11th for Portland. ... The Sea Dogs are celebrating their 15th anniversary tonight with "1994 Night." The team will play in its original teal uniforms. ... Catcher Luis Exposito is expected back tonight after sitting out the past two games to nurse aches and pains.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com