Eduardo Rodriguez just forced the issue.
Rodriguez’s major league debut needed to be fantastic for the Boston Red Sox to consider him for another start in their next turn through the rotation. Mission accomplished, as the left-hander absolutely dazzled Thursday as the Red Sox defeated the Texas Rangers 5-1 at Globe Life Park.
“He’s done nothing to hurt that cause, I can tell you that,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said after the win. “A lot was talked about the reasons why we brought him up here. But he gave us exactly what you’d hope to see, and more.
“So there’s no decision at this point whether or not he makes his next start with us. I certainly would hope he would.”
Rodriguez left zero doubt that his next start should come in the majors with the Red Sox rather than in the minors at Triple-A Pawtucket. Boston has been searching all over for a spark — both offensively and on the pitching side — and while Rodriguez won’t help the Red Sox score runs on his off-days, he sure as heck could infuse life into the team’s rotation, which has been inconsistent since Day 1.
Rodriguez tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings against the Rangers in his much-anticipated debut. He allowed just three hits, walked two and struck out seven while remaining in total control throughout the contest. It was the longest scoreless outing by a Red Sox pitcher in his major league debut since Billy Rohr fired nine scoreless frames in 1967.
To add even more perspective, Rodriguez became the first left-hander since Karl Spooner in 1954 to have a scoreless debut of longer than seven innings with seven or more strikeouts and no more than three hits allowed. It was a special performance no matter how you slice it, but the 22-year-old’s composure was particularly impressive, especially when you consider the deck was stacked against him.
The Red Sox entered Thursday in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Boston’s offense has been anemic all month and Texas has been playing very good baseball of late. None of that seemed to faze Rodriguez. He overcame the pressure, any first-game jitters, a potent Rangers offense and a hitter-friendly environment to guide the Red Sox to a road victory by way of a clutch performance fit for an ace.
“He was outstanding,” Farrell said. “Very impressive, he was poised, a lot of quality fastball strikes in the strike zone, particularly down. I thought he threw a handful of really good sliders early in the ballgame and a changeup that’s got the ability to put good hitters away.
“To see the middle of their order, the way they reacted to his fastball, it’s got good life, he’s got deception in his delivery and just a very impressive outing all the way around.”
Rodriguez displayed pretty much everything that makes him the Red Sox’s most intriguing pitching prospect. He touched 95-96 mph with his fastball, he kept hitters off-balance with his changeup, particularly in his second time through the order, and he flashed a good-looking slider that could evolve into a lethal pitch. Rodriguez worked at a brisk pace and induced weak contact with relative ease.
It’s important to keep in mind we’re talking about one start. Many players have burst onto the scene, only to then fall back down to earth a few games into their major league careers. But it’s hard to not be encouraged by Rodriguez’s effort given all of the negativity surrounding the Red Sox’s early-season woes.
And it’s even harder to envision a scenario in which Boston doesn’t attempt to ride the hot hand.
Thumbnail photo via Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports Images
