During the Red Sox’s recent game against the Colorado Rockies, manager Alex Cora had no intention of removing pitcher Brayan Bello, but outfielder Jarren Duran was prepared to challenge that decision. Duran believed Cora might pull Bello when he saw coach Kristian Campbell rise from the dugout, signaling a potential mound visit.

I saw Campbell get up and I was thinking in my head, ‘A.C., if you pull Bello right now I’m gonna have a word with you after the game,’

Duran told reporters, as relayed by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

I would have to try and stop Bello because the way he was going, I feel like he would have fought to stay out there. Truthfully, I feel like if A.C. came out, Bello would have put up a good enough fight. A.C. would have been like, ‘Get it done then. Don’t waste this mound visit.’

Cora’s Confidence in Bello’s Performance

Contrary to Duran’s assumption, Cora was fully confident in Bello’s ability to finish the game. The manager said that Bello’s efficient pitching prevented any reason to pull him. Cora noted that the pitcher maintained control throughout, helping the team extend their lead.

He was efficient, so I wasn’t going to take him out,

Cora shared on Tuesday.

We put some good innings to expand the lead, but he was under control (on Tuesday) the whole time.

Bello’s Impressive Complete Game Despite Late Setback

Bello delivered a strong performance, throwing 107 pitches and leading the Red Sox to a 10-2 victory over the Rockies. Over the course of his complete game, he allowed five hits, two runs, and one walk while striking out ten batters. After pitching effectively throughout, he was on track to record a shutout before conceding a two-run homer to Hunter Goodman in the ninth inning.

This outing marks Bello’s second complete game, following a six-inning effort in 2022 during a 2-0 loss to the New York Yankees.

Significance of the Performance and Team Impact

Bello’s ability to throw a complete game while maintaining control highlights his growth and stamina as a starting pitcher for the Red Sox. The trust Cora placed in him to finish the game reflects a strong vote of confidence, signaling the team’s reliance on Bello in critical situations. Duran’s reaction also shows the energy and passion within the Red Sox clubhouse to protect effective performances.

Moving forward, how the Red Sox manage Bello’s workload will be closely watched as they look to maximize his contributions heading toward the rest of the season.