Joe Kelly is getting quite comfortable in his Boston Red Sox uniform.
Kelly, who was sent to Boston from the St. Louis Cardinals at the MLB Trade Deadline, has put together two quality outings since joining the Sox on July 31.
His latest effort against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday was enough to earn him Amica Pitcher of the Week.
Kelly didn’t get off to a hot start, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in the first inning. After that, though, the 26-year-old righthander was lights-out.
Kelly allowed just three hits and one walk over the next five innings while striking out four to keep his team in the game. He even flashed some athleticism on the basepaths, stealing third base on a heads-up baserunning play in the third inning.
Boston trailed 2-0 at the time of Kelly’s departure, leaving the Red Sox newcomer still searching for his first win as a member of the club. Yoenis Cespedes’ two-run homer propelled the team to a 3-2 victory, though, and much credit should go to Kelly for keeping things close.