A’s Johnson: ‘I would have booed me too. I sucked today.’

So often the A’s have pulled out games like Monday night’s, where they pitch well, struggle to hit, but then muster just enough magic for a pie-throwing celebration.

Not to be in a 2-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians, their Major League-record 10th consecutive loss to open a season.

It’s not the 0-1 record that should leave a bad taste in the mouth. The A’s have turned in a collection of clunkers in recent season openers. Rather, it’s the storyline of how they lost that can’t become a theme.

Closer Jim Johnson was acquired from Baltimore in the offseason to deliver clean, drama-free ninth innings. His first Oakland outing couldn’t have gone worse as he allowed the game’s only two runs and left to boos from a sold-out Coliseum crowd ringing in his ears.

His performance in front of reporters was better than his performance on the mound.

“I would have booed me too,” Johnson said in front of his locker. “I sucked today. I deserved it, and I expect that. Next time they’ll probably be cheering.”

Joe Stiglich, CSNBayArea.com