The Boston Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta continues to thrive in his role as a relief pitcher. Pivetta delivered a stellar performance in Monday’s 7-0 win against the Oakland Athletics and managed to write his name in the history books in the process.
Pivetta made 87 pitches across six innings, not allowing a single hit and striking out 13 batters, the most by a reliever in Red Sox’s history. Also, 13 strikeouts without a single hit was the most by a relief pitcher in MLB history since the mound was set at its current distance in 1893.
“I just go out there, and I execute what I need to execute,” Pivetta said after the game. “Just get ahead of guys, compete in the zone, use my stuff in the zone and then expand the zone after that.”
Red Sox re-signed Pivetta to a one-year deal in January and made him part of their rotation to start the season. However, after struggling in eight starts, during which he had a 6.30 ERA, the 30-year-old player was moved to the bullpen.
Spending some time in the bullpen benefited the Red Sox and allowed Pivetta to regain his groove. However, don’t expect the veteran to remain there for much longer.
“We were joking on the bench … maybe he feels now that he should become a starter. It’s the other way around: the better he pitches, this is a structure we need,” Red Sox’ manager Alex Cora told the reporters after the A’s game. “No, no. But like I said, at one point, probably, he needs to start.”
