Ortiz: Make Aceves a starter

September 19, 2011|By Michael Whitmer, Globe Staff

By Michael Whitmer, Globe Staff

It might seem like there aren't many bright spots for the Red Sox right now, seeing as they've lost 10 of their past 12 games to watch a wild-card lead that had been nine games at the start of the month cut to 1 1/2. But the relief work of Alfredo Aceves certainly qualifies.

Aceves has been so good, in fact, that David Ortiz thinks the Sox should consider giving the right-hander a start. Aceves pitched three scoreless innings today in the first game of a doubleheader with Baltimore, and even though the Sox lost, 6-5, he threw 53 pitches, giving up three hits and striking out four.

"To be honest with you, the way things are going, he should be starting. It’s as simple as that," Ortiz said. "I think at one point, he might be a starter. It all depends what the front office decides, but he’s got good stuff, and we definitely need a guy that can come in and give us six or seven good innings. He seems like he’s capable to do it, so we’ll see."

Aceves now has 12 relief appearances this season of at least three innings, which leads the majors. He's gone four straight outings without giving up a run, and has lowered his ERA to 2.74.

"Aceves has been doing that time and time again," Sox manager Terry Francona said. "The one inning he got himself into a bind he pitched himself out of it. He’s done a tremendous job. I wish he was available in the second game; knowing Aceves, he’ll want to be."