In seven strong innings, Boston Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta struck out 10 batters and allowed just one run as the Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 Sunday.
Pivetta continues to pitch at an All-Star level in recent weeks. No aspect of Pivetta’s performance was more important than his seventh and final inning, when he exceeded 100 pitches and struck out the side to hold the Cardinals to one run.
The numbers over Pivetta’s last nine starts are extremely impressive. In that span, he’s 7-1 with a 1.77 ERA, fifth in the majors. He’s also posted a WHIP of 0.84 (fourth) and struck out 61 (second) in as many innings.
While the end product was great, it didn’t start that way for Pivetta. He walked four of his first 10 batters, but adjusted to finish with seven strikeouts in four innings with zero walks.
“I think I’m getting much better,” Pivetta said of making in-game adjustments, per Steve Hewitt of The Boston Herald. “Me and Bushy (pitching coach Dave Bush) talked after the game. I don’t know if I make that adjustment last year, so I just think it’s kind of the work that I put in, kind of the rhythm that I’m in that I’m able to make that adjustment there.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 19: Nick Pivetta #37 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after pitching during the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park on June 19, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The Red Sox won the weekend series 2-1 against the Cardinals, now sitting at 36-31 (.537), half a game back from third in the AL East. They host the Detroit Tigers (26-40) for the next three games.
First pitch is Monday night at 7:10 p.m. ET. Josh Winckowski gets the start for Boston.