Boston Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez continues on path of ‘righting the ship’

The bright lights of the Big Apple beckoned. And for the Boston Red Sox, a victory over the New York Yankees would be a fantastic way to put the pre-All Star break stumbles behind them.

Mission accomplished, thanks to a combined stellar pitching performance from Eduardo Rodriguez and Tanner Houck, plus timely hitting.

Mark that seven wins for the Red Sox in the season series against the Yankees zero. Boston picked up a 4-0 victory Friday night. A two-run home run by Christian Arroyo, part of three-run second, and a solo shot by J.D. Martinez in the 8th were more than enough.

Thanks, mainly, to the gem of a game spun by Rodriguez and Houck, with Hirokazu Sawamura mixed in for good measure.

Pitching the name of the game for Boston Red Sox

After Sawamura got the final out of the sixth inning, Houck did nothing more than close out the game with a three-inning save.

More from Boston Red Sox

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
• Mookie Betts Has Humble Outlook on Returning to Fenway
• Alex Cora Reveals What He Said to Cause NSFW Response from Justin Verlander

Houck was simply outstanding in his first appearance with the Red Sox since a one-inning relief outing on April 6th. He scattered only one hit over the three innings while walking one and striking out three. While Houck’s crystal ball still very much involves being a starting pitcher, using him in long relief benefits an already strong Boston bullpen.

The real story of the game, however, belonged to Rodriguez, who had yet another game in which he moved one step closer to returning to his former self.

After allowing a leadoff hit, Rodriguez shut down the Yankees for the next 5.2 innings, issuing two walks while striking out eight. The lefty exited the game after allowing his second hit of the night.

It was another encouraging outing from Rodriguez, who appears to be back on track to the pitcher he was in 2019.

A groove for Rodriguez and the Boston Red Sox

Back in that season, Rodriguez was Cy Young-worthy. And while he’s not necessarily heading in that direction in 2021, he’s certainly been pitching like it as of late.

Rodriguez (7-6, 5.19 ERA) has had a productive last four starts. The overall numbers are bloated, but Rodriguez has allowed only six earned runs in that span.

Four of those were in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels. This was a game where the Angels were able to land some soft hits and Rodriguez really only had a couple of mistake pitches.

In his last four starts, Rodriguez has allowed 17 hits in 22.2 innings. He’s struck out 27, increasing his season total to 120 in 18 starts.

It’s been an up-and-down season as Rodriguez (understandably) returns to form. A feel for the game, especially after missing an entire season for health reasons related to COVID-19, was always going to take some time.

He began the season 5-0 but closed out May with four straight losses. Things took a turn for the better beginning in June. Though Rodriguez didn’t pick up a decision until a victory in his last June start, the Red Sox were winning for him. So much, in fact, that Boston is 7-1 in Rodriguez’s last eight starts.

There’s a lot to like about what Rodriguez has been doing in recent starts. He’s been part of a revitalization of the starting rotation in recent weeks, where more consistency has entered the picture. Rodriguez will be needed for 5-6 quality innings per start the rest of the way. And anything beyond that? Well, that’s just gravy.