Boston Red Sox: 3 factors in Game 67 extra-innings win in Baltimore

(W)right on the mark

 In professional sports, an injury to a key player can open the door for someone else to succeed.  Ironically, as his own injury took him out of the starting rotation a year ago, the injury to Drew Pomeranz has allowed Steven Wright to get another opportunity in the starting rotation and boy is he delivering.

The knuckleballer didn’t get a decision in Monday night’s game, but his 6 2/3 innings of scoreless pitching added to the stellar performance he put in on his first start of the season just a week ago.

He is definitely staking his claim to remain in the starting rotation.  If he keeps it up, it will be tough for Alex Cora to take him out of the rotation.  It is always a good problem to have, but it also will create depth at the starting rotation position when Pomeranz returns.  It will allow extra days of rest for the other starters if Cora should decide to go six deep during certain stretches of the season.

As far as Steven Wright, he is pitching with more confidence and throwing the knuckleball at different velocities to keep opposing hitters off balance.

"“They’re a big-swinging team.  The thing with knuckleballs is people think you throw just one knuckleball, but the thing is, they’re big league hitters,” Wright said.  “The biggest thing is timing, and a pitcher’s got to disrupt their timing.  So, for me, especially as a starter. …I really just try to go back and forth with the velocity.”"

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Although Wright got in a little jam in the seventh inning, he did a really good job at changing things up throughout the game to keep the Orioles silent and help the Boston Red Sox start the road trip off with a victory.