Rick Porcello Earns 20th Win as Red Sox Fly by Blue Jays
Rick Porcello becomes majors’ first 20-game winner as the Boston Red Sox routed the Toronto Blue Jays 13-3 Friday night.
The Boston Red Sox have a 20-game winner and it is not David Price. Before the season, if anyone predicted that right-handed pitcher Rick Porcello would win more than 10 games this season, they would be lying.
Following a lack-luster first season with the Red Sox, Porcello has bounced back nicely, becoming a Cy Young candidate and a reason Boston now has a two-game lead in the American League East. In another solid performance, Porcello gave up just two earned runs in 7 innings while striking out seven in route to his 20th win of the season as the Red Sox pummeled Toronto 13-3 at Rogers Centre.
With the victory, Porcello improved his record to an impressive 20-3 and lowered his ERA to 3.21. What was most impressive about Porcello Friday night is how he tamed an explosive Blue Jays lineup in a ballpark where he typically struggles. The only time Toronto had a chance to get to Porcello, he put out the fire.
Leading 4-0, the righty found himself in a jam during the third inning. The Blue Jays loaded the based with no outs. Following a two-run single to left field off the bat of Devon Travis to cut the lead to 4-2, Porcello fought back to strike out Josh Donaldson and got Edwin Encarnacion to ground into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.
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A year ago Rick Porcello would’ve imploded. This year, however, he has done a great job of getting out of jams and keeping his team in the game. His consistency in doing so is the reason why the Red Sox are in great position to secure a playoff spot. After the game, Boston manager
for his season-long performance.
“He’s on quite a run here, with consecutive starts working that deep into ballgames,” Farrell told reporters. “He’s been a model of consistency. He just keeps rolling along.”
As far as becoming the first 20-game winner for the Red Sox since Josh Beckett in 2007, Porcello is definitely honored:
“It’s definitely a huge honor. It’s hard to win one game in the big leagues, let alone 20. I’m definitely very proud of that.”
In all, Porcello has become a reliable front-line pitcher who is capable of leading his team in big games. With the reemergence of David Price and the resurgence of Clay Buccholz, the Boston Red Sox suddenly have one of the best starting pitching rotations in the American League.
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With the offense they have, there is no telling how far this team can go.