BOSTON — Wade Miley finally is finding his groove.
The Boston Red Sox right-hander tossed his second consecutive quality start Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers — one that accurately could be characterized as the best of his young Red Sox tenure.
Miley went seven innings in Boston’s 4-3 win, allowing two runs on seven hits while walking just one and striking out seven. The outing wasn’t without drama — as was the case in his last start, Miley often found himself pitching out of jams with runners in scoring position — but it was another encouraging sign for a pitcher whose ERA was flirting with 7.00 just a week ago.
“First of all, seven innings, two runs,” manager John Farrell said. “He pitched as we have seen of late. He made big pitches with men in scoring position. This is probably four starts consecutively now where he’s really attacked the strike zone and thrown a number of pitches in some quality areas, particularly his fastball down in the zone. He’s working at a pace that is comfortable for him but not too quick, and he’s dictating the tempo from the mound.”
Miley now has allowed just two runs in 13 2/3 innings over his last two starts.
“I’m getting into more of a rhythm, I guess,” he said. “You create a little confidence having a good (start), then another good one. You try to build off of that. I’m just going to try to keep it rolling.”
The Red Sox’s rotation as a whole has begun to round into form after a disastrous start to the season. Boston starters have completed at least five innings and allowed two or fewer earned runs in six consecutive games.
“Rick Porcello started it (with his start May 11 in Oakland),” Miley said. “He had a really good game, and you want to follow that.”
Some additional notes from Tuesday’s action at Fenway Park:
— The Red Sox’s offense enjoyed a nice resurgence against the Rangers, managing just four runs but racking up 13 hits. Eight different players reached base for Boston, four scored runs and five recorded two or more hits. Hanley Ramirez led the way with three hits, including two doubles, and David Ortiz and Mike Napoli each homered.
“I thought we had a number of really good at-bats (Tuesday night), created multiple opportunities,” Farrell said. “I know we left a decent amount of guys on base (12), but it’s good to see Nap’s timing in his swing a little bit more consistent with what we know Mike to be. David with three well-hit balls (Tuesday night) — gets us on the board first with the base hit in the first, the home run, lines out sharply to center field. Hanley, obviously, with a number of base hits (Tuesday night). But just a good overall, I think, offensive approach up and down the lineup.”
The Red Sox’s seven extra-base hits represented a season high.
— Dustin Pedroia, who doubled twice and scored in the win, has reached base in 23 consecutive games — the second-longest active streak in the majors behind St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday.
— Since no sports story can be complete nowadays without a Deflategate mention, a “Free Tom Brady” chant briefly broke out during the sixth inning. (h/t Barstool Sports)
— The Red Sox before the game held a moment of silence for Pawtucket Red Sox president Jim Skeffington, who died Sunday at age 73.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
