BOSTON — Clayton Mortensen just keeps trucking back and forth from Pawtucket to Boston.
With Vicente Padilla sidelined, the Red Sox called up the reliever for his fifth different stint in the big leagues this year. Last time around, Mortensen was promoted for a one-day affair against the Tigers on July 31.
When the Red Sox traded for Craig Breslow, Mortensen received a last-second call to step in until Breslow landed in Boston. That night, Mortensen pitched 2 2/3 innings in the rain to capture his first win of the season.
“Being a reliever, you have to be ready at any given point in time,” Mortensen said. “It’s proven throughout the year that anything can happen, something crazy can happen.”
But Mortensen has adapted nicely to the craziness that comes in Boston, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.17 ERA through 23 innings this season. In 10 appearances, he’s fanned 17 batters while issuing seven walks.
“Let’s not jinx him but he has risen to the occasion,” manager Bobby Valentine said. “And he’s thrown as well in Triple-A. It’s not like he’s just getting lucky. He’s a pretty good pitcher. He throws different pitches and he says he’s ready to go.”
During his time with Pawtucket, Mortensen is 5-3 with 1.91 ERA. But with each appearance in Boston, he’s been making his case to stick around.
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