Johnson made only nine starts last year before right shoulder inflammationended his season. He described his first outing of the spring as a successfulsteppingstone, and he received favorable reviews from the Cardinals.“Obviously he’s feeling good. He’s throwing all his pitches in all thecounts,” said Skip Schumaker, who flied out leading off the first inning.“He’s one of the better pitchers in the league, so I wasn’t too surprised tosee him that good early on.”Kyle Lohse, who led the Cardinals last year in victories and ERA, pitchedthe first two innings and allowed only one runner—Greg Dobbs, who homered.Lohse threw strikes on 20 of his 26 pitches.“That’s the main thing,” he said. “I’m happy with that. I’m not trying tostrike guys out; I’m trying to get them out with three or four pitches. And Ifelt like I was able to do that.”The game was the first after an eventful offseason for both teams.The historically thrifty Marlins went on a spending binge, hiring OzzieGuillen as manager and acquiring four All-Stars in anticipation of their moveinto a new ballpark. As for the Cardinals, manager Tony La Russa retired, andslugger Albert Pujols left after 11 seasons to sign a 10-year, $240 millioncontract with the Angels.“Kind of weird not seeing Pujols out there,” Johnson said.New Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was so eager to get started he arrived atthe ballpark shortly after 4 a.m., nine hours before game time.“Sleep wasn’t a priority,” he said. “I couldn’t wait to get here and getthis day going.”Lohse crossed paths with Matheny in the training room before the game.“I asked him if he was nervous,” Lohse said. “He said he wasn’t the onefacing Johnson, so he didn’t have anything to worry about.”Johnson showed signs of the stuff that helped him lead the NL in ERA in2010. He retired the first five batters, striking out Jon Jay and Matt Holliday.“He looked free and easy,” Holliday said. “He threw me a good 3-2changeup, which on the first day of spring I didn’t really expect. I’m sure he’shappy getting back on the mound.”With two out in the second inning, Johnson gave up a single, a double and awalk to load the bases. At that point he had thrown 41 pitches, and Guillen tookhim out.“Great outing,” Guillen said. “He threw the ball very well and pain-free.That’s a very, very good beginning. Hopefully we keep it on track. Obviously wehave to monitor it very carefully, but I’m very excited to see this kid back onthe mound.”The double came on a liner by Tyler Greene that sailed past third basemanHanley Ramirez, who’s learning a new position so newcomer Jose Reyes can playshortstop.Johnson said Ramirez told him the ball fooled him.“He said, `During the season I’ll get that, I promise,”’ Johnson said. “Isaid, `I believe you.”’Ramirez didn’t have any putouts or assists. The lone error was by Marlinsright fielder Giancarlo Stanton, who misplayed a routine fly.“Dropped the ball,” Stanton said. “Don’t do it again.”As planned, Reyes did not play in this game.NOTES: “Get yer Albert Pujols pretzels here,” a vendor shouted to laughterfrom Cardinals fans. … The two teams share the same training complex, but thestands were a sea of Cardinals red. … Holliday, batting in the No. 3 spot longoccupied by Pujols, went 0 for 2. Matheny said he plans to experiment with thebatting order. … The Marlins play four games in the next two days, includinggames at their new ballpark against the University of Miami on Tuesday andFlorida International University on Wednesday. Updated Mar 5, 5:12 pm EST