Rick Porcello
Wow, simply wow.
Rick Porcello pitched in what could be his best game of the season as he was one hit shy of a no-hitter and/or shutout. He was also beyond efficient in this game, doing something that only he did nearly two years ago.
.@RickPorcello is the first pitcher to throw a complete game in less than 90 pitches since … Rick Porcello (9/19/16 vs BAL). pic.twitter.com/BgFnXKAiTF
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 4, 2018
He also did something no Red Sox pitcher had done since “The Rocket” in 1991.
Rick Porcello is the 1st @RedSox pitcher to throw and win a complete game at Fenway against the Yankees since Roger Clemens in '91.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 4, 2018
He threw 86 pitches. Prior to tonight, the last pitcher to throw a CG (9+ IP) on fewer than 90 pitches: Rick Porcello on Sept. 19, 2016 vs O's. pic.twitter.com/rIr97yvesr
Any way you spin it, Porcello was masterful on Friday night. In case you forget, he hurled a complete game allowing just one hit on a home run to Yankees third baseman, Miguel Andujar. Besides that, Porcello issued zero walks and struck out nine hitters in pinstripes.
It’s a coin toss between Porcello and Eovaldi (who I’ll get to in a second) on who had the best game in this series. Porcello went the distance, a rare feat in today’s game. With that, he retired his final 21 hitters after the home run allowed in the third. To add insult to injury to the Yankees, Porcello did all that while tossing just 86 pitches.
Who had the better outing between Porcello and Eovaldi is really beside the point, just some food for thought. All you need to know here is Porcello displayed pure dominance on Friday night. While doing so he kept himself fresh with just 86 pitches and also kept the bullpen fresh as he went the entire game.
Take a bow, Rick Porcello.