In his last spring training appearance, Brayan Bello seemed prepared for the real competition.
Armed with what the Pirates broadcast called “an absolute voodoo sinker,” the Red Sox right-handed pitcher pitched for 5 1/3 innings. In his last game before his first Opening Day start, he allowed one earned run, walked three, and struck out seven. He threw 91 pitches, 56 of which were strikes (61.5%) and caused five groundouts.
This was Bello’s third consecutive outing lasting at least five innings, which he did more than any other Sox pitcher last season. In his first full season in the Majors, he went five or more innings in 21 of 28 starts; Tanner Houck was second on the roster with 15.
Although Bello didn’t have a single clean inning – he allowed at least one hit or walk in each inning – he managed to work around them through five innings. The 24-year-old right-handed pitcher faced a bigger challenge in the bottom of the sixth, allowing back-to-back singles before recording an out, and his day was done after issuing a walk to load the bases. One run was scored on a sacrifice fly, but Greg Weissert was able to prevent further damage.
Isaiah Campbell, who the Red Sox acquired from the Mariners in November, also seems prepared for Opening Day. The 26-year-old right-handed pitcher, the first player born in Portugal in modern MLB history, has not allowed a run this spring. (Frank Thompson played for the Washington Nationals and Brooklyn Atlantics during the National Association’s 1875 season.) Campbell started his ninth appearance of the preseason with back-to-back strikeouts of Oneil Cruz and Andrew McCutchen, then completed the 1-2-3 seventh by getting Ke’Bryan Hayes to fly out. With several major league starters scheduled for Saturday evening’s game against the Minnesota Twins, Bello was supported by some of the organization’s top prospects. Marcelo Mayer, Boston’s top prospect, played at shortstop and displayed his range with a spinning throw to first for an out. The No. 2 prospect, Roman Anthony, played centerfield. The Pirates broadcast consistently referred to him as “Anthony Roman.” It was a quiet day at the plate for Boston, who lost to the Pirates 4-1 and were outhit by the home team 7-5. They did, however, receive a total of eight walks. Alex Cora informed reporters that three of the free passes were given to Bobby Dalbec, who is contending for a bench spot on the roster.
Brayan Bello gave up one run in a remarkable final spring training appearance. He will be the 2024 Red Sox Opening Day starter. showed off his range with a spinning throw to first for an out. No. 2 prospect Roman Anthony manned centerfield. The Pirates broadcast kept calling “Anthony Roman.”
It was a quiet day at the plate for Boston, who fell to the Pirates 4-1, and were outhit by the home team 7-5. They did, however, collect a combined eight walks. Alex Cora noted to reporters that three of the free passes belonged to Bobby Dalbec, who is in the running to claim a bench spot on the roster.
