On Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays, Brayan Bello’s start for the Boston Red Sox was a disappointment, yielding seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings. It was a rocky outing that left the Red Sox scrambling early.
However, salvation came in the form of Josh Winckowski, who stepped up magnificently after being called up from Triple-A Worcester. Taking over from Greg Weissert, Winckowski proceeded to pitch the remaining six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits and a walk. His performance was nothing short of a bullpen-saving masterpiece.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t mince words in praising Winckowski’s contribution post-game: “He pounded the strike zone the whole night and he saved us today,” Cora emphasized, as reported by MassLive. Cora highlighted the effectiveness of Winckowski’s pitches, noting improvements in his changeup, which now focuses on inducing ground balls and weak contact rather than solely aiming for strikeouts.
Winckowski’s stint in Triple-A proved valuable, allowing him time to refine his pitches and control, evident in his composed performance against the Blue Jays. For a team that recently taxed their bullpen over the weekend, Winckowski’s extended outing was a timely boost, earning admiration from both his manager and teammates alike for his crucial role in stabilizing the pitching load.
As the Red Sox navigate the ups and downs of the season, contributions like Winckowski’s underscore the depth and resilience needed to contend in a competitive league like MLB.
