The first half of Friday’s game between the Red Sox and Pirates was something out of a storybook for Boston.
Twenty-two-year-old left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle, the Red Sox’ top-ranked prospect, made his Major League debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates and their own stud starting pitcher Paul Skenes. Tolle looked outstanding, recording eight strikeouts through 5 u2153 innings of work. Roman Anthony hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning to break the scoreless tie.
Skenes wasn’t his sharpest, but Anthony got the best of him to give Boston an early lead. Skenes, who could very well win the National League Cy Young Award, tied a career-high seven hits allowed.