Morning Sports Update

‘It was incredible’: Marlins hitters were impressed with Brayan Bello

"That guy threw a really good game," National League batting leader Luis Arraez said of Bello.

By Hayden Bird

June 30, 2023

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The Red Sox lost to the Marlins 2-0 on Thursday despite Bryan Bello taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Boston has now lost five in a row.

Tonight, the Red Sox begin a three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays at 7:07 p.m.

Brayan Bello left an impression on the Marlins: Though he ended up on the losing end of a tight series finale, the 24-year-old Bello pitched yet another gem for Boston on Thursday. His final line: Seven innings pitched, one run allowed, with five strikeouts.

Arguably the best proof of Bello’s effectiveness came in the form of the Marlins’ postgame comments.

“That guy threw a really good game,” National League batting leader Luis Arraez said of Bello. Arraez went 0-for-3 against Bello, seeing his average fall from .396 to .392. “He was really nasty today.”

“The sinker/fastball cut a little bit atop the zone, the changeup is real,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker told reporters of Bello. “We just couldn’t get the barrel on it. Guys were frustrated, a lot of weak contact. He did a really, really good job.”

Bello holds a 2.17 ERA over 49.2 innings in his last eight starts, limiting hitters to just a .189 average.

“Bello’s got incredible stuff,” said Marlins starter Jesús Luzardo, who struck out nine in 6.1 scoreless innings. “I know he’s a young kid. I’ve never really seen him pitch, but I saw him pitch today and it was incredible. It was just awesome being a part of it. Kind of keeps you in the game as a pitcher. He was working quick, I was working quick, so I feel like we each had a good rhythm going. But it was awesome to be a part of that.”

Despite Bello’s recent dominance, the Red Sox have gone just 4-4 in his starts during that time. Still, his continued development could become a valuable building block for Boston.

“That’s a really good young pitcher that’s going to have a really good future in this league,” Schumaker concluded.

More from Boston.com:

• Red Sox starter Bello’s no-hit bid foiled in 8th, Marlins top Boston 2-0
• Patriots reportedly sign LB Ja’Whaun Bentley to 2-year contract extension
• Here are the Massachusetts locals taken in the 2023 NHL Draft
• Bruins 2023 Draft Tracker: What to know about Boston’s five picks
• Rob Gronkowski says Baby Gronk’s dad reached out ‘500 times,’ has gone too far
• Celtics free agency primer: How active will Brad Stevens be as he adds to the roster?
• What made coming to Boston a ‘super easy’ decision for Kristaps Porzingis
• Celtics reportedly make qualifying offer to Grant Williams
• Mike Trout elected to 11th All-Star Game, 4 Texas players chosen to start

Starting with a bang: Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela’s first hit at the Triple-A level came on a go-ahead home run in the Worcester Red Sox’ 4-2 win on Thursday.

On this day: In 1908, Cy Young pitched his third career no-hitter in an 8-0 Red Sox win over the New York Highlanders.

Daily highlight: Jose Ramirez was initially called out on this attempt to steal home, but upon review he was (correctly) ruled safe.