The pitching line would be impressive enough: nine innings, just 86 pitches needed, two baserunners allowed.
That would at least hint at the excellence displayed by Rick Porcello, who hit Brett Gardner to start the game -- more on that later -- and a leadoff homer to Miguel Andujar in the third ... and ... nothing else. He retired the final 21 hitters in a row.
Impressive, right?
Sure.
But then there's this: Porcello is just the second Red Sox pitcher in the last 50 years to allow one hit in a complete-game victory over the Yankees. The other? Pedro Martinez -- also on a Friday night, also allowing a homer for his only hit -- did so on Sept. 10, 1999, nearly 20 years ago.
And Porcello and Martinez are the only major league pitchers in the last 110 years to throw a complete game with one hit allowed, no walks and at least nine strikeouts in a start against the Yankees.
So, yes, Porcello's line is proof positive of the kind of stuff he had, and the kind of night that he had.
But put into context, placing his outing next to the one thrown by Martinez, is a different kind of validation. After all, when it comes to mound excellence, there's a great ... and then there's "just like Pedro.''
Porcello wasn't quite as overpowering as Martinez, of course. Martinez fanned 17 that night. But the net result - one hit allowed, complete-game win -- was the same.
Damage. pic.twitter.com/VdLysUiliM
โ Boston Red Sox (@RedSox)
August 4, 2018