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Boston Red Sox Mound Notes: Rick Porcello pitches his A-game vs. Oakland

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: Rick Porcello #22 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park on April 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 7-3. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: Rick Porcello #22 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park on April 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 7-3. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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Boston Red Sox starter Rick Porcello hurled eight shutout innings in the team’s 5-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics Tuesday night at Fenway Park.

The Cy Young version of Rick Porcello showed up Tuesday night at Fenway Park.  In delivering his second consecutive solid start, the righty was simply masterful, allowing just two hits over eight shutout innings in a Boston Red Sox win.

It was a great way to end April for the defending World Series champions.  With the 5-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics, the team finished the month with a 13-17 record.  Besides, the slow start, the starting pitching has really been the concern.

Other than Chris Sale, that issue appears to be taking care of itself with the recent pitching performances from David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez and now Porcello, who brought his A-game to the mound and simply dazzled.

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With eight strikeouts to add to his masterful night, his command of the strike zone is really what stood out to Red Sox manager Alex Cora who applauded Porcello’s effort in going eight full innings.

"“He did an outstanding job pounding the strike zone, going in and out, keeping them off balance, great rhythm,” Cora said following the game, via MLB.com.  “He and [catcher] Sandy [Leon] were in tune from pitch one and he gave us something we needed.”"

After the month the team had, it was definitely what the doctor ordered for the Boston Red Sox who won their first series of the season.  Hard to believe from a team that won 108 games last season with the same team.

It was also good to see Rick Porcello comfortable on the mound, which he attributed to having catcher Sandy Leon behind the plate.

"“We were on the same page with one another, and we worked quick, which is good for our guys to get back in the dugout and get things going offensively and try and work as quick as possible,” Porcello said.  “It definitely went well tonight, as far as tempo is concerned.”"

In mixing up his pitches and delivering some deception, Porcello had the Oakland A’s bats off-balance the entire night. Now 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA in his last three starts, the Boston Red Sox starter is hoping to continue his winning ways in a contract year.

Velazquez looks to continue the momentum

The Boston Red Sox will go for the sweep on Wednesday when they send Hector Velazquez to the mound to face Oakland starter Mike Fiers.

Despite being winless on the season, Velazquez has pitched solid in his outings.  With a 3.86 ERA and 15 strikeouts over his first three starts.  In a game that could be a bullpen game, the Red Sox hope to get a least five solid innings from the young righty who has a 5.91 ERA against the Oakland A’s in four appearances.

Next. Boston Red Sox Mound Notes: Eduardo Rodriguez hurls dominance vs. Tigers. dark

Hopefully, this is a game where the Red Sox bats win the game.  J.D. Martinez has a .471 batting average against Fiers in his career with two homers.  It could also be a game in which Steve Pearce breaks out of his slump as he has a .400 batting average against the A’s hurler.

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