Stiff Shoulder Forces Johnson To Sit Early; M’S Win Regardless

The Seattle Mariners got a scare when pitcher Randy Johnson had to leave the game Wednesday night with stiffness in his left shoulder after retiring David Howard on a fly ball to open the fourth inning.

The lefthander left a scoreless game, but the Mariners scored four fifth-inning runs and made them stand up for a 4-0 victory.

The triumph puts Seattle in first place in the American League West, just percentage points ahead of the California Angels.

“You could see he was a little tight,” Mariners manager Lou Pinella said “We got him out of there - it was just precautionary.

“It was cold and blustery out there and we didn’t want to take any chances this early in the season. This is the type of situation where you can get injuries.”

Johnson noticed that his shoulder was getting stiffer as the innings progressed after the 1 hour, 8 minute rain delay in the bottom of the second inning.

“It felt pretty good in the second inning, but it got stiffer in the third inning,” he said. “I felt like I was pushing the ball to the first batter in the fourth.”

Third baseman Doug Strange, who had the second four-hit game of his major-league career, drove in the first run in the top of the fifth. Jay Buhner’s double to left center scored the second run and Edgar Martinez followed with a double down the left-field line to score the final two runs of the game.

“I know what my role is on this team,” Strange said. “When I play, I want to do well and contribute.

“I felt pretty good up there. I have been swinging well, but haven’t been getting any hits.”

Bob Wells got the victory, shutting out the Royals on just one hit after relieving Johnson in the fourth inning. The victory improved his record to 1-2.

“He is getting more aggressive,” Pinella said. “He got a little tired (in the seventh) and got the ball up.”

Kansas City was held to four hits for the fourth time in its last seven games and shutout for the second time this season.

“All you can do is keep grinding and keep going after it,” manager Bob Boone said.