With the bathroom scale long since eliminated as a possibility, the likelihood of Bartolo Colon ever seeing 150 appeared remote when arm injuries nearly brought his career to an end last season in Anaheim. The rotund former American League Cy Young Award winner, who saw his once blazing fastball slow considerably during ensuing seasons, seemed a longshot when the Red Sox signed him to a minor league contract in February. e is, however, quickly becoming a heavy hitter in the Sox rotation. Colon turned in his fourth strong outing in five starts last night at Fenway Park to help the Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles, 6-3, for his 150th major league victory.
After getting shellacked for six runs (three earned) in only five innings in his previous start last Friday – an 8-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners – Colon rebounded with six outstanding innings to keep the Sox from back-to-back defeats. The right-hander (4-1) allowed only one run on five hits, while striking out seven and walking one to become the 12th active pitcher with 150 wins. He held the Orioles hitless in three at-bats with runners in scoring position and surrendered his only run in the fifth, when he left a 92 mph fastball over the heart of the plate to Luke Scott, who pounded it to right for his 10th homer of the season.
The Sox, who improved to 6-2 on the homestand with only tonight’s series finale remaining, had their lead cut to three in the ninth when little-used Mike Timlin surrendered a pair of runs. Jonathan Paplebon came on with runners on first and second and got Brian Roberts to ground out for his 19th save.
Nation Notes: Daisuke Matsuzaka threw a bullpen session yesterday, his first since he went on the disabled list with a mild strain of his right rotator cuff suffered May 24 against the Mariners. Matsuzaka, who will throw another tomorrow, was scheduled to meet with Francona and pitching coach John Farrell before last night’s game to determine his next rehab step. Because of the length of time since his last game action, he may have to make a minor league rehab start.
