Eduardo Rodriguez pitching in Seattle Sunday. (Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- It's only mid-June, but Eduardo Rodriguez is already one win away from matching his career-high.
The Red Sox lefty improved to 9-and-1 with yesterday's six innings of two-run ball and nine strikeouts in a 9-3 silencing of Seattle. Sox skipper Alex Cora was impressed once again.
"It was good to see him throw six, everyone was excited," Cora said. "He had to work for it. That fifth inning, he limited damage. He did a good job, good fastball, and also the tempo, I know you guys like it."
Rodriguez is one of four pitchers in the majors with at least nine wins. Corey Kluber, Luis Severino, and Justin Verlander are the others. Boston's 13-and-1 in his starts, so Rodriguez feels unbeatable. But, the All-Star hopeful still isn't lasting deep into games.
Rodriguez has limited opponents to two runs or fewer in six straight starts, but hasn't completed seven innings in any of them--or any outing all year. He's averaging five-plus frames and 103 pitches. Chris Sale will take the mound for the first of three tomorrow in Minnesota.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports