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The Boston Red Sox lost again on Wednesday, losing 4-1 to the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, as their bats remained cold.
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The Red Sox did have one major bright spot on the mound, however, with new pitcher Eduardo Rivera making his major league debut.
The tall 22-year-old lefty entered the game with two outs in the top of the sixth inning. He struck out the first batter he faced, Jazz Chisholm, to end the inning.
Rivera went on to finish the game, allowing just one hit – a hit. He didn’t walk anyone, struck out three and showed good control, throwing 26 of 41 strikes, eight of which were swing strikes.
It was a remarkable first impression for Rivera, who had never finished above Double-A before. But that didn’t stop him from smothering the Yankees’ strong lineup. But unfortunately for Boston, his performance came too late to save the game.
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After his debut, Rivera will likely remain in the bullpen for the time being as a long reliever. The Red Sox need pitching depth given their recent injuries, and Rivera appears to be able to provide some.
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