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Red Sox Make Another Pitching Move After Rough Loss To Mariners
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- Red Sox Make Another Pitching Move After Rough Loss To Mariners
Red Sox Make Another Pitching Move After Rough Loss To Mariners originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Boston Red Sox wasted little time reshuffling their pitching staff after Tuesday night's 9-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners . Boston announced Wednesday that it recalled left-handed pitcher Raymond Burgos from Triple-A Worcester. Right-hander Jedixson Paez was optioned following his difficult first major league start.
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The transaction gives the Red Sox a fresh long-relief option after Paez surrendered eight runs on 10 hits, including two home runs, over 3 2/3 innings against Seattle. He struck out three and walked two in the loss. Paez was placed in a demanding position. The 22-year-old had made only three major league relief appearances before being asked to start during the final month of a playoff race. Seattle capitalized immediately, scoring five runs over the first two innings and building a 9-1 lead by the fifth.
Boston made the final score respectable with a late rally, but the early damage proved too much to overcome.
Raymond Burgos Returns To Red Sox Bullpen
Burgos has become a familiar passenger on the Worcester-to-Boston shuttle. This is the fourth time the Red Sox have recalled the 27-year-old left-hander since selecting his contract on Aug. 7. Burgos owns a 5.84 ERA with seven strikeouts over 12 1/3 major league innings this season.
His numbers are heavily influenced by one rough appearance. Burgos allowed five runs over 2 1/3 innings against the New York Yankees during Saturday's doubleheader before being optioned when Roman Anthony and Trevor Story returned from the injured list.
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Burgos now returns only three days later.
The immediate appeal is his ability to cover multiple innings. Burgos has worked primarily as a starter in Worcester, giving interim manager Chad Tracy someone capable of protecting the rest of the bullpen if Wednesday's game goes sideways.
That flexibility matters after Boston used four relievers behind Paez on Tuesday. The Red Sox also are preparing to begin a four-game road series against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, leaving little room for an overworked bullpen.
MORE: Red Sox Reveal Lineup For Midweek Finale Against Mariners
Red Sox Can Still Take Series Against Seattle
Paez's return to Worcester should not be viewed as the organization abandoning one of its more intriguing young pitchers.
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The right-hander entered Tuesday with a 4.11 ERA, 74 strikeouts and an impressive 0.96 WHIP over 61 1/3 minor league innings this season. He also struck out eight batters over five strong innings in his final Triple-A appearance before receiving the call.
His first major league start simply became a harsh lesson against an aggressive Seattle lineup.
For the Red Sox, the focus now shifts to winning Wednesday's series finale. Boston has lost five of its last seven games, and the New York Yankees' victory Tuesday pushed the Red Sox four games back in the American League East.
Burgos gives Boston a rested arm. After another disappointing loss, that may be exactly what the Red Sox need to steady the pitching staff before leaving Fenway Park.
