Top Red Sox prospect Casey Kelly made his debut for Double-A Portland on Sunday, throwing two innings.
The 20-year-old was on a strict 50-pitch count and was forced to leave the game with 45 pitches to his name. He walked one, gave up three hits and whiffed two without allowing an earned run against the New Britain Rock Cats, affiliated with the Minnesota Twins.
Kelly had a scare in the bottom of the first as he was hit in the rib by a line drive but was not hurt.
In the second, the going got tough after a Jose Iglesias error put men on first and second following a walk. Kelly induced a pop up then whiffed Alexander Soto before Ben Revere loaded the bases on a ground ball single to Iglesias.
An unearned run scored when Kelly threw a wild pitch, but he finished the inning by striking out Steve Singleton.
Kelly departed with a 4-1 lead, with Eammon Portice replacing him.
The Sea Dogs are winning 8-2 through seven behind two doubles from first baseman Ray Chang, who knocked in three runs.
