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Colon sharp in PawSox outing |
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Friday, 22 August 2008 |
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By BRENDAN MCGAIR Sports writer PAWTUCKET – At least Bartolo Colon left the mound in one piece.
In what can be classified as a wavy stretch for the portly right-hander since re-joining the Pawtucket Red Sox earlier this month, Colon was efficient Thursday night in an 8-3 win over Syracuse.
The PawSox now stand on the verge of appearing in the postseason for the first time since 2003. With Toledo losing, the magic number now stands at one. The deficit in the IL North stays at 1½ games.
Though he might inspire enough confidence from Red Sox fans based on four no-hit innings, the truth is that Colon is still a bit away. Colon didn’t feature pinpoint control (23 of his 40 pitches were strikes). Both walks he issued came on four consecutive pitches out of the strike zone.
Colon’s fastball was consistently in the 88-90 mph range. He struck out two and induced seven groundball outs.
By BRENDAN McGAIR
Sports writer
Stats aside, Colon would make a fine addition given the current state of the Boston pitching staff. The problem is that he’s been wildly inconsistent. This current rehab assignment has featured two outings that have lasted a grand total of 1 2/3 innings. The most recent short-circuited performance took place last Friday in Syracuse, when Colon was knocked out due to a stomach bug.
While Colon produced positive results Thursday, the true litmus test coming next Tuesday in Lehigh Valley.
An anxious moment arose in the fourth when Colon ran over to cover first base. He walked gingerly back to the hill and bent over to stretch out his back. Nothing was deemed serious enough as Colon finished up with a swinging strikeout.
“Bueno,” was the lone word Colon offered about his outing. Thankfully, Pawtucket catcher George Kottaras elaborated.
“He had good life on his fastball and threw a lot of sinkers,” said Kottaras. “He was ready to throw and was confidence in all his pitches. He came right after the hitters.”
After tossing three shutout innings on August 10 at home against Charlotte, Johnson mentioned that it would take up to possibly five starts to build Colon’s strength back up. “I think (Boston’s) focus is what’s best for Bartolo in the long run,” said Johnson that day.
The problem is that the pitching concerns are approaching critical levels in Boston. Thankfully there was an off-day yesterday and another looming on Monday, meaning the Red Sox can temporarily hold off making a decision and press forward with a four-man staff.
But what if Josh Beckett’s stiffness issue comes back into play and the Red Sox are short yet another starter? For Boston’s sake, Colon better be ready to step in.
Every PawSox starter finished with at least one hit. Newcomer Jason Lane belted a home run as part of a two-hit, two RBI night. Sandy Madera clubbed two hits that produced three RBI.
Jose Vaquedano earned the victory in relief of Colon, tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
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EXTRA BASES: With the Red Sox bullpen in taters -- no doubt the product of short outings turned in by Beckett and Clay Buchholz this week -- Chris Smith was summoned to the bigs for the fourth time this season. He departed for Toronto Thursday morning. He’s 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA in five games with Boston, totaling 8 1/3 innings. …Smith’s departure put the PawSox one under the roster limit, but that spot will go to catcher David Ross. The 31-year-old was reportedly signed by Boston Thursday and assigned to Pawtucket. Ross, who likely becomes the third catching option for Boston when the rosters expand next week, was most recently with Cincinnati, playing in 52 games and batting .231 with three home runs and 13 RBI Johnson confirmed that Ross will join the PawSox in Rochester. … Speaking of Rochester, the PawSox kick off its final road trip (of the regular season, that is) tonight with a brief two-game set against the Red Wings. Edgar Martinez (7-2, 3.79 ERA) goes tonight with Michael Bowden hoping to pick up his first PawSox win on Saturday. Bowden is 0-3 with a 3.21 ERA in six appearances (five starts). … Lincoln Holdzkom, who was designated for assignment on August 13, has reportedly cleared waivers. Chiefs second baseman Danny Sandoval was hit with a five-game suspension one day after bumping a umpire. … North Kingstown native and Olympic swimming hero Elizabeth Beisel threw a strike from the mound as part of the pregame ceremonies.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 30 August 2008 )
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