Brian Van Belle posts his best start yet for Worcester on Sunday
The WooSox had to play 15 innings between the two games on Sunday. They had to resume Saturday’s game and then play a 7-inning game right after. David Hamilton was the hero during Game 1 with a walk off single. The WooSox would go on to drop Game 2, but Brian Van Belle put up his best start in Triple-A yet.
Van Belle made his fourth start since being called up from Portland on July 8th. It would tie his longest start so far and would end up being his best one yet.
The right-hander threw five innings against the Rochester Red Wings and only gave up one run. He gave up six hits and struck out five batters. He recorded 12 swings and misses, which is the most he has had in a start since June 24th while still in Double-A.
Van Belle put up a 6-3 record with an ERA of 3.00 over 13 starts in Portland this year. The body of work put together in Portland would eventually land him his promotion to Worcester. WooSox manager Chad Tracy commented on his strike throwing ability right after his promotion.
“We are getting a big time strike thrower” Tracy said. “We are getting a guy who has gone deep into games in Portland. He might have a slight transition period, but he has kept his walks down recently in Portland so we will see. He is not someone who will blow high 90’s by guys. He is a lot like Kyle Barraclough that finds other ways to get swings and misses.”
For a starting rotation who has lost Brandon Walter and Chris Murphy to the major leagues and Bryan Mata to the injured list, getting Van Belle in a groove will help deepen the group as they begin the month of August. The Florida native is Rule 5 Draft eligible this offseason. So far in Worcester, he is 1-2 with a 6.41 ERA.
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