Masterson needed for the long term in Boston - right here, right now

Before you read the remainder of this post, it should be noted that the Boston Red Sox won tonight's game against Kansas City, 2-1, thanks to another spectacular outing by Justin Masterson and a clutch four-out save from Jonathan Papelbon. Masterson earned his first Major League win, and the Red Sox have now won five in a row and are 10 over .500 at 29-19.

The starting rotation is carrying this pitching staff because the bullpen certainly is not. Aside from Papelbon, Terry Francona does not have a reliever he can summon with confidence in a key situation. Boston's glaring weakness so far this season has been its unreliable bullpen. The disturbing trend of Red Sox relievers allowing inherited runners to score continued tonight against the Kansas City Royals.

Masterson, who was called up from Double-A Portland to make another spot start, looked just as sharp as he did in his Major League debut last month, when he limited the Angels to a run and two hits over six innings. This evening, the 23-year-old right-hander held Kansas City scoreless in 6.1 innings of work. Francona pulled the rookie with one out and one on in the seventh. Javier Lopez fanned Ross Gload for the second out, then Manny Delcarmen entered and promptly surrendered an RBI single to John Buck. The run was charged to Masterson, whose final pitching line was one run, three hits (all by Alex Gordon), five strikeouts and three walks in 6.1 innings.

Delcarmen did strike out pinch-hitter Alberto Callaspo to end the seventh, but the stomach-churning rollercoaster ride that is the Red Sox bullpen was not over. Okajima  was called upon to start the eighth inning. The left-hander's atrocious record of allowing 11 of 14 inherited runners to score this season has been well-documented. Tonight, he created his own problems. David DeJesus led off the frame with a ground rule double and advanced to third on Mark Grudzielanek's ground out. Okajima then walked Gordon, fanned Jose Guillen and walked Mark Teahen to load the bases.

Enter Papelbon, who struck out Billy Butler on a nasty slider to end the threat. The Red Sox closer retired the side in order in the ninth, including two strike outs, to earn his 13th save and preserve the win for Boston and Masterson.

It was the bullpen that squandered a two-run lead when Masterson departed in his Major League debut last month after the gem versus the Angels. The same corp of set-up men remain a source of heartburn for Francona, pitching coach John Farrell and every member of Red Sox Nation.

Six of the bullpen's seven arms have issues. Okajima boasts a 0.90 ERA, but certain numbers are deceiving for relievers. The total of inherited runners scored paints a more accurate picture of his season to date. Delcarmen does not have a palatable ERA, which is now 5.71. He, too, has been prone to letting inherited runners cross the plate. Hard-throwing right-hander David Aardsma has a well-earned 2.14 ERA, and has limited opposing hitters to a .200 average. However, his control problems do not make him an ideal candidate to enter a close game with runners in scoring position. He has 18 strikeouts in 21 innings, and has coughed up just 15 hits, but he also has 16 walks and has hit two batters.

Mike Timlin has pitched better in recent outings, but he still carries an 8.18 ERA (which, in his case, reflects his performance) and has just two strikeouts in 11 innings, so his pitches are rarely missing bats. As for Lopez, he has only allowed one inherited runner to score, but right-handers are rapping his pitches to a .314 clip (left-handers are batting .185).

The Red Sox do not have to search far to find a set-up man who would serve as an effective bridge to Papelbon. His name is Justin Masterson. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound sinkerballer has allowed two runs and five hits in 12.1 Major League innings for a 1.46 ERA. The imposing Masterson has showcased a solid fast ball, nasty sinkers and sliders, and an adequate change-up. The sinker is his out pitch.

With Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield set in the rotation, Bartolo Colon poised to make his Red Sox debut tomorrow night and Clay Buchholz headed for Pawtucket to gain command of his fast ball, the Red Sox starting pitching is in good shape. Right now, the bullpen lacks that one arm Francona can call upon in the seventh and eighth innings.

The Red Sox organization is uncertain whether Masterson is better suited for a spot in the rotation or a set-up role for the long term. As for the present, he could be Boston's version of Joba Chamberlain. Masterson is filthy, confident and poised. His three-quarters arm angle baffles hitters, and his arsenal of pitches overmatch those same batters.

Before starting tonight's game, Masterson was told he would be optioned back to the minors to make room for Colon. At least he was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket and not back to Double-A Portland. Craig Hansen, who shows promise and might provide stability to the bullpen, is the only Boston reliever with remaining options. I prefer that Timlin or Lopez be designated for assignment, but neither move is likely since both have pitched better lately. It is encouraging to know that Masterson is a phone call away when Boston needs a spot start, but it is an unsettling feeling to see Boston's ideal bridge to Papelbon stuck on the farm.