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TORONTO - Heres a remarkable stat: In each of his last six starts, Josh Johnson has allowed multiple runs in the same inning he allows his first base runner of the game. The list and in parentheses the inning in question and runs allowed: June 28 at Boston (2nd, 2); July 3 vs. Detroit (2nd, 4); July 9 at Cleveland (4th, 2); July 14 vs. Baltimore (1st, 4); July 22 vs. Los Angeles (2nd, 4); July 27 vs. Houston (1st, 4). The Blue Jays havent won any of the six games and Johnson (1-7) has taken the loss in the last five. On Sunday, Houstons first four batters scored. Jonathan Villar singled, Jose Altuve did the same and so did Jason Castro, scoring Villar. Then Chris Carter came to the plate and made no mistake with Johnsons mistake, pounding a fastball into the batters eye in centrefield for a three-run home run. The Astros led before all of the more than 34,000 fans in attendance had taken their seats. "Definitely," said Johnson when asked if hes experiencing the most difficult period of his professional career. "Definitely. This game will definitely test you but like I said, just got to find a way, find a way to stay positive and get through it." "Hes scuffling, I mean thats an understatement," said manager John Gibbons. "Hes feeling it. Hes human. You know, you feel for the guy. Hes never struggled a whole lot in his career. Hes trying to settle in. Hes trying to contribute and it hasnt gone well for him. Its tough because theres really nowhere to hide out there but hes got to keep battling. Theres nothing else you can do." Nowhere to hide and so much time left in what already is a lost season. Gone is the chatter about Johnson being one-and-done with the Blue Jays, fleeing back to the US-based team willing to throw the most money his way. Instead, the belief is the Blue Jays will extend Johnson a qualifying offer (in the $14-million range) in the off-season, one which he could accept to return for the 2014 season. The focus turns to salvaging the next two months. "Its been a battle," said pitching coach Pete Walker. "Definitely had a tough time commanding the fastball and breaking stuff on the outer part of the plate but hes a competitor, hes going to get back at it (on Sunday). Back to the drawing board a little with him." Johnson is trying to improve his line to the plate. His tendency, on occasion, is to fall slightly toward the first base side as hes completing his delivery. As a result, his fastball runs over the plate and his breaking stuff, instead of starting in the strike zone and tumbling, flattens out. One close observer says hed like to see Johnson try to back door his curveball to left-handed hitters – meaning paint the outside corner – instead of trying to come hard down and in with his slider. Johnsons mechanical inconsistencies arent new. Video from last season, when Johnson was a Marlin, provide evidence of occasions when he would come out of his delivery. As for Johnsons issues out of the stretch – remember the problems seem to begin once a runner reaches base – Walkers on it. "Were certainly aware of that and trying to rectify it and make better pitches from the stretch," said Walker. "Hes worked with his hands and lowered his hands. Hes not tipping pitches. We thought maybe that was an issue but thats not the case ... Its a battle right now and I know hes frustrated with the consistency but were certainly not giving up on him by any stretch." Fans shouldnt give up on Johnson, either, if for no other reason than hes unlikely to be going anywhere else anytime soon. Johnsons seventh try for his second win will come on Thursday night in Anaheim.nike vapormax plus greece .S. 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Duchene scored two goals and had an assist, helping the Colorado Avalanche beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Friday night to match the best 10-game start in team history.The regular-season finish line is in sight and teams are jockeying for a spot in the postseason.Atlanta (14-14) isnt a lock for the playoffs, but the Dream are in decent shape. The same cant be said for the Phoenix Mercury (13-16), who sit precariously in the seventh playoff spot.The Mercury have underachieved after being picked by league general managers in a preseason poll as the team to beat this season.But Phoenix can take a big step toward living up to the hype when the Mercury travel Tuesday to Phillips Arena in Atlanta to take on the Dream in a 7 p.m. EDT game that could go a long way in determining each teams postseason fate.And despite their record, the Mercury remain a confident bunch. Coming out of the Summer Olympics break, Phoenix reeled off three straight impressive wins with a dominating defense.But the past two games their defense has regressed, giving up 87 and 92 points in losses.The Mercurys high-powered offense isnt the problem at 84.5 points per game. Its the defense that allows 84.4 points per game that has cost Phoenix a chance to move up in the standings.The Heat have their own defensive problems as they allow 83.7 points per game.The Dream hosted the Mercuury on July 3 in the only meeting this season of the teams.dddddddddddd Brittney Griner dominated with 27 points and 10 rebounds as the Mercury waltzed out of Atlanta with a 95-87 victory.If the Dream are going avenge that loss, they will have to find a way to stop Griner.The Dream also will need their supporting cast to step up. In the first meeting, Tiffany Hayes and Angel McCoughtry combined for 48 points, but that wasnt enough.In their last game, McCoughtry and Hayes combined for 52 points against Seattle on Sunday. But the Dream dug a hole too deep to climb out -- they trailed by 24 heading into the fourth quarter -- and dropped a 92-81 decision to the Storm.In their last game, the Mercury met up with a buzz-saw otherwise known as Tina Charles and the New York Liberty. Once Charles got going, it was pretty much lights out as Phoenix lost by 22.Griner was a nonfactor in that game, scoring two points in 23 minutes.The two teams wont have to wait long to meet for a third time this season. Atlanta travels to Phoenix for another crucial game on Sunday. ' ' '