BOSTON -- It was neither attractive nor efficient. But by grinding out five innings Wednesday night at Fenway Park, Boston Red Sox right-hander Joe Kelly revealed how far he has come as a pitcher.
Here was Kelly, possessor of an upper-90s fastball that he threw 65.5 percent of the time last season, third-most among American League pitchers who made at least 25 starts, according to ESPN Stats & Information. And there were the previously undefeated Baltimore Orioles, mashers of fastballs to the tune of a .357 average, 1.117 OPS and nine home runs this season.