McAdam: Hector Velazquez emerges as invaluable member of Red Sox staff

On a pitching staff with two Cy Young Award winners, arguably the game's best closer and one of the most dominant starters in the game, Hector Velazquez hardly stands out.

He doesn't have the 95 mph fastball, a long list of career accomplishments or much of a profile. What he does have, however, is the confidence of his teammates, manager and coaching staff, to say nothing of their appreciation.

Without his contributions Monday night, the Red Sox comeback against the Kansas City Royals might have stalled. After the Sox rebounded from a three-run, first-inning deficit to counter with six runs of their own, starter Eduardo Rodriguez seemed determined to squander the lead he had been given. He allowed two more runs to the Royals, and after just four innings and 88 pitches, he was done.

Enter Velazquez. Exit chaos.

Velazquez retired the Royals in order in the fifth, then struck out the first two hitters he faced in the sixth. Following a single, he induced a force play and just like that, order had been restored. The Sox kept tacking on runs, but on the mound, there was the sense order had been restored.

"I felt that we needed somebody else there, in that spot,'' said Alex Cora of his decision to hook Rodriguez and go with Velazquez. "He did an outstanding job. That wasn't easy for him, but for him to give us six outs ... it changed the whole game.''

As a reward, Velazquez got credit for the win in Boston's 10-6 pasting of Kansas City. But the Red Sox didn't need the official scorer to validate what Velazquez has meant to them through the first five weeks of the season.

How valuable has Velazquez been? He's tied with Rick Porcello for the team lead in wins with four. His ERA is 2.02, he hasn't allowed a run in his last three relief appearances (covering 8.1 innings), and he's started and won two games.

"He's been amazing,'' said Cora, "from starting to giving us a chance to win when he comes in in relief. He can give you three innings. He's not just a guy in the bullpen. He's very important for us. This guy can pitch.''

Echoed first baseman Mitch Moreland: "To have a guy like that, he's pretty valuable for us. He's come in one-inning spots. He's come in and given us multiple innings in a game. He's started for us. He's thrown the ball extremely well in every situation. We definitely wouldn't be where we're at right now without what he's done for us. I would say he's one of those unsung heroes for us. He's done it all. I would say we have complete confidence behind him when he comes in.''

No one appreciates Velazquez more than pitching coach Dana LeVangie, knowing that Velazquez will fill any role, at any time, and perform well.

"Anytime we can count on a guy to maybe pick up a start and give us some innings,'' LeVangie said, "anytime he can protect our guys and give us length out of the bullpen ... he's been absolutely huge.''

LeVangie has noted that Velazquez has a similar repertoire and approach as Porcello, which is to say that he throws strikes, doesn't walk many hitters, gets groundouts and has a ferocious competitive streak.

"He's been a calming influence out there,'' said LeVangie,"because you know what you're going to get, for the most part, every time he goes out there.''

His versatility is such that Velazquez is never quite sure when he might be called upon, or, for that matter, how long. The Sox do their best to alert him to potential usage, so that he can prepare as best he can. With their bullpen short on Sunday, he prepped in the trainer's room in the event he was needed to provide length. Whatever is asked of Velazquez, he's more than willing to provide.

Perhaps that unselfishness stems from his background. Velazquez pitched for years in the Mexican League, where the conditions -- to say nothing of the pay -- are a far cry from Major League Baseball. Signed by the Sox last year, he's thrilled to be pitching in the big leagues and operates without ego or even the slightest hint of privilege.

"What he does for the team,'' said LeVangie, "and his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team, is second to none.''