The dust has settled on the 2012 Boston Red Sox season and following a three-game series with the Yankees that saw the Sox get outscored 28-7, it is one of the Sox' relievers who earns this week's recognition.
Junichi Tazawa has been one of the Red Sox' best relievers out of the bullpen in 2012 and his performance this past week was exactly what they needed. Appearing in the final two games of the series, Tazawa pitched two perfect innings with a stikeout while registering a hold on Tuesday night.
The 26-year-old Japanese import finishes the 2012 season with 37 appearences out of the bullpen with a 1-1 record and one save. His five holds put him in a three-way tie for sixth place on the team and his 1.43 ERA was best on the team.
In a season that saw manys ups and downs, Tazawa gave the Red Sox something to rely on coming out of the bullpen. For his two perfect innings, Junichi Tazawa is this week's Amica Pitcher of the Week.