Red Sox pitching prospect Richard Fitts tosses a gem bringing a perfect game into the 8th inning

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WooSox right-handed starting pitcher Richard Fitts threw a gem on Wednesday night, bringing a perfect game into the eighth inning against the Charlotte Knights.

The 24-year-old pitching prospect allowed a leadoff single to the Knights’ Oscar Colás in the home half of the eighth inning. WooSox skipper Chad Tracy pulled Fitts immediately after the single.

Fitts finished the night tossing seven frames, issuing the one hit, giving up one unearned run with no walks and seven strikeouts.

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The No. 1 ranked pitching prospect in the Red Sox system, according to SoxProspects, recorded 15 swings-and-misses in the outing. He threw 82 pitches in total, 65 for strikes with 36 sliders, 32 four-seam fastballs, and 14 changeups.

Fitts earned the win and improved to 4-1 on the season with a 3.72 ERA in 10 games (nine starts). The Alabama native made one relief appearance earlier this season.

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The Red Sox wanted to see Fitts come out of the bullpen and see how he responded to that in-game situation. Tracy told reporters a few weeks ago, that the team didn’t want his potential first appearance in Boston to be out of the bullpen.

There’s a possibility that Fitts could make his big league debut at some point this season based on injuries to the pitching staff.