Joe Kelly Leaves Start With Shoulder Tightness, Fatigue
BOSTON (CBS) -- Joe Kelly's quest for his ninth straight win ended early Tuesday night, as the Red Sox righty left his start against the Orioles in the third inning with a shoulder injury.
Kelly lasted just 53 pitches in Baltimore before being pulled with what the team is describing as "shoulder tightness and fatigue." He allowed four runs (three earned) off five hits over his 2.1 innings, allowing five hits in a six-batter span in the third inning, including a two-run homer.
"When they took me out, I was frustrated, obviously," Kelly told reporters after the game. "I wanted to stay in that game as long as I could. But, the shoulder and the arm just wouldn't let me be."
Kelly said he didn't think the injury was a big deal, and the ailment is "just something I've been feeling lately. Just a little tight."
When asked after the game, interim manager Torey Lovullo said a decision on whether Kelly will pitch again this season will be made soon.
"I know that he's ramped up his inning total. He's had a great year. He's been on a great run. That is something we'll probably talk about collectively as a group [Wednesday] and move forward with a really good decision," said Lovullo.
Kelly got a no decision Tuesday night as Baltimore beat Boston 6-5 in extra innings, ending his winning streak that started back on August 1. In that span, Kelly was 8-0 with a 3.00 ERA. He is 10-6 with a 4.82 ERA in 25 starts for the season.
Pete Abraham discusses what the Boston rotation could look like the final weeks of the season on Toucher & Rich:
