Boston Red Sox

Brian Johnson had not pitched at Fenway Park since Aug. 18, 2012, when on his second pitch in a minor league doubleheader he was hit in the face by a line drive. He also was carjacked at gunpoint in 2015 in Florida and took a leave of absence last season to deal with anxiety.

But, given a chance for a spot start May 27, Johnson showed why the Red Sox picked him in the first round in 2012. He pitched a complete-game shutout against the Seattle Mariners, allowing five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. He was the first Boston pitcher to throw at least nine scoreless innings in his Fenway debut since Pedro Martinez in 1998, also against Seattle.

In addition, the left-hander is the first Red Sox rookie to throw a shutout with no walks, five or fewer hits and eight or more strikeouts. He said he didn’t think about the contrast with his previous Fenway start until after the game. “Unbelievable day,” he told

The Boston Globe. “Long time coming.”

Despite his big moment, the Red Sox sent him back to Class AAA Pawtucket (R.I.) after the game to make room on the roster for left-hander David Price, who allowed three runs on two hits and two walks in five innings Monday in his first 2017 start.

uThe Red Sox decided to leave third baseman Pablo Sandoval at Pawtucket for another week. Sandoval, recovering from a sprained right knee, was 3-for-21 there, and team officials decided he needed more minor league

at-bats.

uRight- handed hitters were 0-for-39 with two walks and 21 strikeouts against closer Craig

Kimbrel this season through Sunday. Lefties had a .182 average and 19 whiffs in 33 at-bats.