Red Sox Reliever Alfredo Aceves Earns Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors

While Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford received a flurry of attention as major offseason acquisitions for the Red Sox, Alfredo Aceves quietly has proven to be an invaluable member of Boston’s bullpen. The 28-year-old righty has eaten up innings for manager Terry Francona and has shown an ability to bridge the gap between the starter and the Daniel Bard–Jonathan Papelbon combo in the latter innings. Aceves was once again strong in three appearances this week, helping him earn Amica Pitcher of the Week honors.

Aceves began his work on Sunday, coming in for Tim Wakefield with one out in the seventh inning and the Sox leading the Mariners 11-7. Aceves worked the final 2 2/3, surrendering only three hits and one earned run and also picking up a strikeout. Boston completed the sweep of Seattle with a 12-8 win.

Two days later Aceves was back on the bump, hoping to rescue Sox starter Andrew Miller from another rough outing. The reliever stepped in and tossed 3 1/3 innings, giving up three hits, no walks and striking out three. Aceves earned his sixth victory of the season in Boston’s 13-9 triumph over the Royals.

Friday night Aceves was again solid in one inning of work, giving up one hit but not allowing a run and picking up another strikeout in relief of Wakefield. The White Sox topped Boston 3-1.

Aceves’ weekly totals are impressive. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder worked a total of seven innings and allowed only one earned run while striking out five. Perhaps his most impressive feat is that the righthander did not walk a single batter, an important quality for any reliever.

On the season Aceves has worked a total of 72 1/3 innings and has a 3.24 ERA, which is in the top-20 in the AL for pitchers who have thrown at least 60 innings.