Johnson has been on learning curve

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Listen to Portland Sea Dogs pitcher Kris Johnson too much and, like the self-described goofy lefthander, you might find yourself uttering his ubiquitous expression: Believe it.

There's no question Johnson believes he is entirely healed from all that ailed him last season - from his return from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in 2005, to his disappointing experiences at Single A Lancaster. His curveball didn't return to form until near the end of last season, in which he went 9-7 with a 5.56 ERA.

"A lot of times you have a Tommy John, you don't know what the subconscious is telling you," said Portland pitching coach Mike Cather, who emphasized that Johnson has been coming on lately. "If you feel like, 'Oh, everybody knows the curveball gives you elbow problems,' maybe you're a little more tentative with that pitch. And if you're tentative with anything that you throw, it's going to be what we call a crippled pitch. I think that maybe the confidence in the pitch comes from the fact that he's not sore after he throws.

"He is broadening the horizon of how he can use the pitch. He can throw it a little bit harder, a little bit sharper, a little bit tighter for an 0-and-2 breaking ball, swing-and-miss out of the zone, a get-me-over pitch, a behind-in-the-count curveball for a strike. I think that's one of the most important things at this level is truly understanding how to use your one pitch in as many different facets as you can.

"I think he's understanding that a backdoor curveball to righties in an even count [can work], or even for a strikeout pitch. That's a pitch that a lot of hitters give up on because they see it coming out of the hand high and away and they're thinking it's a fastball and it's going to run off the plate and they give up on it."

Minus a blip May 14, in which Johnson gave up three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, the lefthander has given up just two runs in 28 1/3 innings over his last five starts. He's 3-0 in that span, and allowed just one run on six hits in six innings Tuesday in a no-decision at New Hampshire. The Sea Dogs tied the score in the ninth, then won, 3-2, in 11 innings.

"It comes down to just locating your fastball more," Johnson said. "Getting first-pitch strikes, getting in non-hitters' counts. Even if you do get in those counts, it's always your offspeed stuff you can go to - 2-and-0 changeups are a big pitch for me. So mainly it's just locating your fastball, getting strike one, letting your defense play."

That, and a pie in the face.

Though his practical jokes have been slow in coming on his new team, Johnson, a 2006 sandwich pick, is getting excited - and biding his time - for when he can really start in on his teammates. He's into the classic jokes, the bubble gum on the hat, the hot foot, the ones that marked his time in Lowell in 2006.

Of the jokes, he said, "Maybe I'll get it going again," and smiled widely. Believe it.

Control freak

Since Daniel Bard was promoted from Single A Greenville to Double A Portland Saturday, skipping high A Lancaster, the reliever has struck out six in three innings. After striking out the side against New Britain Sunday in his first appearance, Bard allowed a solo home run in his second outing, a two-inning stint against New Hampshire Wednesday night. He's hitting 98 miles per hour and beyond, but his delivery is extremely smooth.

"You hear about people that throw 100 miles an hour and they sit 93, 94, then they'll pop one every once in a while," Cather said. "But he really sits 95 to 98. It's just such a rarity. It's freakish and it's easy. It doesn't look taxing at all."

"I feel like this is where I should be," Bard said. "I'm ready to be here."

Wild ride for Drive

Greenville lost to Charleston, 20-2, Wednesday, with 19 runs coming in the fourth (12) and sixth innings. Starter Jose Alvarez gave up six runs in 3 1/3 innings, and was followed by Chad Povich. The reliever had been pitching well for the Drive, allowing six runs in 33 innings, but he gave up six runs in one-third of an inning. Kyle Fernandes allowed seven runs in two innings. All the runs were earned . . . After putting up a prodigious show of power for Triple A Pawtucket - hitting six home runs and six doubles in April - George Kottaras has tailed off in May. He hit only .236 in April, but he is down to .227 in May, .143 over his last 10 games.

Amalie Benjamin can be reached at abenjamin@globe.com.