game of the Blue Jays seems-so-long-ago 11-game winning streak.

SEATTLE, Washington - Its far too early to make bold pronouncements about the return to form of Josh Johnson but, if it is to be, it had to start somewhere. Maybe, on a glorious night in the Pacific Northwest, Safeco Field was the place. “Awesome,” said Johnson, who won just his second game of the season and first since June 23, the last game of the Blue Jays seems-so-long-ago 11-game winning streak. “What me and (pitching coach) Pete (Walker) have been working on is definitely working so got to stick with it and keep it rolling.” Johnsons performance – five innings, no runs on five hits, two walks and five strikeouts and 86 pitches – was more than the Blue Jays would need on a night when a combination of timely offense and poor defense by the Mariners conspired to put Toronto comfortably ahead by the midway point of the game. The Blue Jays won 7-2. Entering the game on a personal six-game losing skid and seemingly unable to pitch out of the stretch with any success, Johnson had given up multiple runs in the inning in which hes allowed his first base runner of the game in seven straight starts, Johnson secured a crucial double play ball to end the first. The Mariners had runners at the corners and one out. “Huge, huge,” said Johnson. “I threw some good pitches to get double plays. I hadnt been doing that in a long time so it was a good feeling.” Johnson spoke to a group of reporters on Saturday in Anaheim. Hed just thrown his bullpen, which included a lengthy chat with Walker and his catcher on Tuesday night, Josh Thole. His focus in the side session was staying on top of the baseball through his delivery. If successful, hed better command his fastball and get sharper bite on his breaking pitches. Johnson felt, on Saturday, as though hed turned a corner less than 48 hours after his latest rocky start against the Angels. Only time, his next outing, would tell the tale. He passed with flying colours. Both pitcher and manager were effusive in their praise of catcher Josh Thole, who filled in for J.P. Arencibia and handled a Johnson start for the first time this season. “Just being able to get on top of the baseball for my slider, my curveball, my fastball, threw a couple of sinkers,” said Johnson. “Thole was great back there.” “I liked the way they worked back there with Thole,” said John Gibbons. “I think we saw more curveballs than sliders and he was sticking it much better. He gave up some hits and he gave a couple where he had some base runners on but he worked out of some jams where in the past, I dont know three, four or five starts, guys were getting on and theyre opening the game up. It was a big day for him.” General manager Alex Anthopoulos was in attendance, so too was assistant Tony LaCava and professional scouting director Perry Minisian. None was there specifically for Johnsons start, the group has been along for most of the road trip, but Anthopoulos had stated for the first time publicly Johnsons status was being evaluated on a start to start basis. Johnsons bought himself more time. His next start is scheduled to be Monday afternoon, back home, against Oakland. “He was good today,” said shortstop Jose Reyes, who hit a home run on the first pitch of the ballgame. “Thats good to see JJ at least throw five shutout innings for his confidence and hopefully the next time he goes a little bit farther and pitches good for us because were going to need it.” Its too late to salvage a playoff run but Johnson still has time to salvage his own season and his reputation. Its too early to know if Tuesday was a turning point. Next Monday, against a better opponent, will be telling. Nike Air Max Sko Salg .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Air Max Sko Zalando .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. http://www.airmaxzalando.com/ . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. Nike Air Max Salg . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Nike Air Max Zalando . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. NEW YORK -- Green Bay linebacker Datone Jones was fined $36,464 by the NFL on Friday for his roughing-the-passer penalty against Atlanta last week.Jones is a repeat offender, resulting in the large amount doled out by the league Friday. Last Sunday, Jones hit Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in the first half of Atlantas 33-32 victory.Arizonas Calais Campbell and Rodney Gunter each got fined $18,231 for hits on Carolinas Cam Newton last weekend. Gunter was fined for a low hit on Newton, for which he was penalized in the game, unlike Campbell.Newton had a phone conversation with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday about his perspective on the hits he takes from defensive players while in the pocket. He said after the game he didnt feel protected in the pocket after no flag was thrown when Campbell crashed into his legs as he was releasing the football.Also from that game, Carolinas Leonard Johnson has to pay $9,115 for unnecessary roughness afteer ripping Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmers helmet off.dddddddddddd.Cincinnatis Shawn Williams was docked $24,309 for spearing, a result of a hit on Washingtons DeSean Jackson during the teams 27-27 tie in London last Sunday.Also fined $24,309 for unnecessary roughness penalties last weekend were Detroits Tavon Wilson and Oaklands Karl Joseph. The Raiders Donald Penn was also hit with an $18,231 fine for unnecessary roughness, while Michael Crabtree has to pay $9,115 for taunting.Buffalos Nickell Robey-Coleman was fined $18,231 for unnecessary roughness after a late hit on New Englands Danny Amendola in the Bills 41-25 loss.Jacksonvilles Jalen Ramsey and Dante Fowler each were docked $9,115 for unnecessary roughness against Tennessee.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '