Boston Red Sox: Rick Porcello delivers exactly what Sox need
Boston Red Sox starter Rick Porcello tossed seven scoreless innings in the team’s 2-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins Monday night.
Who said the Boston Red Sox couldn’t compete against the top teams in Major League Baseball?
Okay, the Minnesota Twins aren’t the Houston Astros or New York Yankees, but they are a team that currently have the best winning percentage in baseball. They are certainly legit and proving so as the season heads into July.
So, Rick Porcello stepping on the mound and delivering seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 shutout deserves much props. Not only did it stabilize Porcello as a pitcher who competes in big games, it showed that the defending World Series champs, that team that won 108 games a season ago are finding their way back.
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Better yet, it was great to see the way Porcello executed in leading his team to their sixth consecutive victory. In throwing just 94 pitches, the Red Sox dependable righty went head-to-head against Twins starter Jose Berrios, winning the duel by being aggressive in tight spots and just having fun out there.
"“It was a lot of fun,” Porcello said following the game, via MLB.com. “[Berrios] threw the ball great. Absolutely exceptional tonight and Sandy [Leon] and I were able to counter and it was nice. It was a big win for us. Tight ballgame against a great ballclub, they’re having a hell of a year and it’s a good way to start the series off.”"
Probably more encouraging than the effort put out by Rick Porcello was how the bullpen held up and secured the shutout. Reliever Colten Brewer got out of a tight jam in the eighth and Ryan Brasier took care of business in the ninth by earning a save.
The Boston Red Sox also got some timely, clutch hitting from J.D. Martinez to give the team a 1-0 lead and Xander Bogaerts delivered an insurance run in the top of the ninth with an RBI double that scored Martinez.
Overall, it was a very encouraging night for a Red Sox team trying to build momentum as the season approaches its midway point.
Nathan Eovaldi back on the path back
The Boston Red Sox may have some help from the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation.
According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has resumed throwing after being shutdown with right biceps tendinitis.
Eovaldi was scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment prior to the shutdown. Whenever the hard-throwing righty can get back will be a much welcome addition for Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
"“He played catch today, he felt good, so now we start building up,” Cora said Monday. “There’s no timetable right now. Obviously, he needs to start playing catch [and have] some progression from that. At least today he was able to go out there and start that.”"
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With Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez finding their stride in the starting rotation, getting Nathan Eovaldi back at some point after the MLB All-Star break would be an added jolt.