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NYM@MIA: JJ pitches eight innings of one-run ball

Marlins ace Josh Johnson certainly did his part last Saturday. It was Miami's bullpen that didn't.

Johnson was in line for the win after delivering eight innings of one-run ball against the Mets, but New York rallied against reliever Steve Cishek for four runs in the top of the ninth to take a 5-3 lead and ultimately the win. It marked the fifth consecutive Marlins loss when Johnson started; the right-hander hasn't won since Aug. 3 over the Nationals.

"I've pitched pretty well, made a couple of bad pitches, but other than that, it was a good outing, positive outing," Johnson said after the start. "I got deep in the game, which was my goal in the first place."

Johnson allowed one run over eight innings twice in his last four starts. He scattered just three hits and struck out seven against the Phillies on Aug. 14, but got no support in the 1-0 loss.

Though Johnson's numbers (7-11, 3.86 ERA) aren't bad, they certainly aren't up to the ace's standards. Previous stellar seasons have set the bar pretty high. But despite the atypical season, Johnson says his mindset has remained the same.

"Just continue to be consistent in the zone," Johnson said. "Go right at guys. Throw quality pitches. It's been hard for me during the season. I did it last time. I want to keep it going."

Brewers starter Marco Estrada is in a different boat.

Milwaukee has won four consecutive games with Estrada on the hill, including a 3-2 win over the Pirates on Saturday after the right-hander tossed seven innings of one-run ball and struck out 10.

Over his last four starts, Estrada is 2-0 and has surrendered just five combined earned runs. He didn't allow an earned run in either of the decisions, both against the Cubs.

Marlins: Ozzie wants to temper Stanton talk
Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen can't control all of the hype surrounding slugger Giancarlo Stanton, nor does he want to. But after Stanton smashed his 30th home run of the season on Tuesday night, there's concern that expectations may get a little out of control.

Stanton missed a month due to right knee surgery, and hit just one home run in April because he was hindered most of the month by a sore left knee, making his accomplishment even more impressive.

It also sets the bar pretty high as far as his future potential is concerned.

"That's pretty impressive," Guillen said. "Not just because he got No. 30, but because how much time he lost. He spent time on the DL.

"The thing I worry about now is everybody going to add and subtract and say, 'He hit 30 home runs in 240 at-bats. Next year, for sure, he's going to hit 90, because he will have 500 at-bats.' That's the wrong way to look at it. This kid is a 30-home run hitter. Just stay with 35 home runs. Don't get the expectation that next year we're going to build the ballclub around Stanton hitting 50 home runs and 190 RBIs. Then we're making a big mistake."

Brewers: Could Gonzalez return?
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who underwent surgery to repair a torn right ACL on May 17, is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Gonzalez has been with the team while they're playing the Marlins in Miami, and manager Ron Roenicke said the shortstop has been working in the batting cages, fielding ground balls and running, though not at full speed.

"That would be a question mark," Roenicke said of a possible return for Gonzalez this year. "He's ahead of schedule, so I don't want to say no. He's probably got an appointment in a couple weeks, and if the doctor says he's ready to go, then we'll have to rethink what we're doing."

Worth noting
• Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison had surgery on Wednesday morning to repair a tear in his right patellar tendon, and is hopeful to be ready for the start of Spring Training.

• Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks hit two home runs Wednesday night, the sixth multi-home run game of his career.

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