Jim Johnson had another meltdown Sunday, coughing up a three-run lead in a loss to the Blue Jays.

Johnson allowed a double and two singles before finally recording his first out. After a walk and a fielder's choice set the stage with two out and the bases loaded, the light-hitting Munenori Kawasaki lined one into the left-center field gap to plate the final two runs. After converting 35 straight saves dating back to last season, Johnson has now blown four out of his last five chances. Manager Buck Showalter will probably stick with his closer for now, but Johnson owners should pick up Darren O'Day just in case.

Jim Johnson took his third straight blown save after giving up a solo homer to Travis Hafner in the ninth inning Monday.

That as many blown saves as Johnson suffered in 54 opportunities last year. He was also 14-for-14 this season before suddenly giving up eight runs and two homers in three appearances. Fortunately, he still has plenty of goodwill built up over the last year and a quarter; his closing gig should be safe.

Jim Johnson blew his second consecutive save in epic fashion Saturday as the Orioles fell to the Rays.

Johnson entered with the O's leading 6-4 and promptly surrendered five earned runs on three hits and two walks. He was among the best closers in baseball last season and started off strong this year, but his past two outings have been very troubling. The Orioles may want to give him a few days of mental rest.

Jim Johnson blew his first save of the season Tuesday night in the Orioles' late loss to the Padres.

It snapped a franchise-record 35-game save streak. Johnson allowed four hits and two earned runs, coughing up Baltimore's 2-1 ninth-inning lead. The right-hander still has a stellar 1.80 ERA and 1.05 WHIP on the season and should be able to bounce back next time out.

Jim Johnson earned his 11th save of the season Saturday as the Orioles beat the Angels in extra innings.

Johnson retired all three batters he faced in the bottom of the 10th inning. The 29-year-old right-hander has an incredible 1.13 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 14/4 K/BB ratio over 16 innings this season. He is a top fantasy closer.

Jim Johnson took a loss after allowing a run in the 11th Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

It was Johnson's second loss this season, topping his total from 71 appearances last year, but also just the first earned run he's allowed. He should thank Brian Matusz, who stranded the bases loaded after taking over in the 11th. Johnson has worked three straight days, so the Orioles will likely give him Friday off. Pedro Strop might get a save chance in his place.

Jim Johnson recorded his eighth save of the season Tuesday as the Orioles defeated the Blue Jays 4-3.

Johnson allowed a two-out single to Maicer Izturis but escaped without further harm, striking out J.P. Arencibia to end the game. Johnson still hasn't allowed an earned run this season, and he's struck out a batter per inning so far. He once again is proving to be one of the best closers in baseball.

Jim Johnson saved his sixth game of the year Tuesday, securing a 5-4 victory for the Orioles over the Rays.

Johnson hasn't allowed an earned run yet and has converted all six of his save opportunities to this point. He doesn't strike out a ton of batters, but his heavy sinker continues to get the job done. After saving 51 games last season, Johnson is proving to be an incredibly reliable late-inning option.

Jim Johnson earned his fifth save of the season on Saturday as the Orioles topped the Yankees 5-3.

Johnson owns a 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 6/2 K/BB ratio in six innings this season. The O's might not win as many games as they did in 2012, but the 29-year-old closer should remain a solid fantasy option throughout 2013.

Jim Johnson notched his second save of the season Thursday with a scoreless inning against the Rays.

Johnson actually wasn't too sharp, as he walked a batter and allowed an inherited runner to score. He also benefited from a questionable call by the umpiring crew, as Evan Longoria was called out for passing Ben Zobrist on the basepaths. Still, the Orioles closer is off to a good start with a pair of saves in the first series of the season.

Jim Johnson gave up three runs and four hits in his inning against the Phillies on Saturday.

Johnson has pitched four scoreless innings this spring, so we won't hold one bad day against him. Oddly enough, he actually struck out the side in his inning today. Last year, he became one of the very rare closers to finish with more saves (51) than strikeouts (41).

Orioles and RHP Jim Johnson avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year contract.

No word yet on the terms involved, but Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun hears that it's between $6.4-$6.6 million, which would be around the midpoint of arbitration figures exchanged last month. The 29-year-old was arbitration-eligible for the third time this winter and is cashing in big after saving 51 games in 2012.

Jim Johnson requested $7.1 million and was offered $5.7 million from the Orioles when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday.

Johnson made just $2.625 million last season, but he's poised to get a big raise after posting a 2.49 ERA while leading the majors with 51 saves. The 29-year-old right-hander was a Super Two player, so while this is his third year of arbitration, he reamins under team control through 2014.

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 to preserve a one-run win over the Red Sox.

Johnson notched his league-leading 49th save in the breezy outing at a raucous Camden Yards. He has done a tremendous job in his first full year in the ninthe-inning role, posting a 2.57 ERA and 41/14 K/BB ratio in 66 2/3 frames. He's now successfully converted 49-of-51 save chances this season, including each of his last 18 dating back to July 27.

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 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.