Strong early, Unit fades out

For four innings yesterday, Randy Johnson's fastball looked great and his slider was tilting like a top. The Big Unit looked ready for Opening Day. Until the fifth inning came around. At that point, Johnson's stamina was exposed by the Cardinals.

His outing became a reminder that the regular season doesn't begin on March 14. The 42-year-old tossed four shutout frames of one-hit ball to begin his start. In the fifth, he was touched for two runs on four hits during the Yankees' 4-3 loss. "I really just kind of cruised along the first four innings," Johnson said. "I decided to go back out there for the fifth, and then I hit a wall, I guess." Continue