Morning Sports Update

‘He earned it’: Alex Cora said there’s a ‘good chance’ Josh Winckowski gets another start

"He’s always working hard and he just puts down his head and works, and I love that about him."

Josh Winckowski Red Sox starting rotation
Josh Winckowski during the Red Sox win over the Padres on Sunday. Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff

By Hayden Bird

Josh Winckowski earned another start: After being optioned down to Triple-A Worcester earlier in the season, Red Sox pitcher Josh Winckowski was looking for any opportunity to get back to the big leagues.

His chance arrived on Sunday in difficult circumstances: As a spot starter against a Padres team that had outscored the Red Sox by a combined 20-3 margin in two wins over the preceding days.

Winckowski, 26, provided exactly what the Red Sox needed. He worked his way through five scoreless innings, allowing four hits and no walks. Boston, thanks in part to a Rafael Devers home run, found a way to provide the necessary run support, and walked away with a 4-1 win.

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“He’s one of the best pitchers that we have,” Devers said of Winckowski to reporters after the game. “I don’t know why he was in Triple-A. I feel like he’s a very good pitcher, and I hope he keeps doing what he did today and he stays with us the rest of the year.”

“Winck helped us today,” said Alex Cora. “He might help us next week. There’s a good chance he’ll make the next start because he earned it, and the bullpen is in a good spot.”

For Winckowski, it represented a successful return after the difficult experience of being sent down.

“It’s hard,” Winckowski said of getting sent back to Worcester in May. “You kind of sulk for a day or two, [I] didn’t feel like I was throwing my best, it’s kind of part of the business. Just make the most of it and just do what you can.”

But when called upon, Winckowski delivered for his teammates.

“It’s not surprising,” Jarren Duran said of Winckowski. “That guy works as hard as anyone out here. He did a really good job against Toronto and came out and showed [it] today. He’s such a good pitcher. He’s always working hard and he just puts down his head and works, and I love that about him.”

Scores and schedules:

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The Red Sox got a 4-1 win over the Padres on Sunday.

Boston begins a three-game series in Miami against the Marlins tomorrow at 6:40 p.m.

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