The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS since last leaving Boston in 2011 and even pitching independent ball this summer, he returned to the majors Sept. 14. He was impressive, throwing seven shutout innings, allowing just one infield hit while striking out 10, in a 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox couldn't get him the win, finally pulling out the vic- tory in extra innings. He proved it wasn't a fluke on Sept. 20, striking out 10, giving up seven hits and allowing three runs over seven innings for Boston in a 4-3 win over Toronto. It marked his first MLB victory since June 19, 2009. "He's been really special these past two outings," Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. told MLB.com. "It's fun playing behind him. He's keep- ing other teams off balance, making pitches when he needs to, and he's obviously giving us a chance to win ballgames." Hill became the first pitcher in Red Sox history to produce 10 strikeouts in each of his first two starts with the club. In Chicago, the White Sox bullpen got a boost when former Wolver- ine and right-hander Zach Putnam returned from the 15-day disabled list Sept. 11. The 28-year-old Put- nam had been placed on the DL on Aug. 29 (retroactive to Aug. 27) with a strained right groin. Putnam is 3-3 with a 4.00 ERA and 59 strikeouts over 45 relief appear- ances with the Sox this season. MLB NOTES • Another former U‑M pitcher and Chi‑ cago Cubs lefty Clayton Richard stood 4‑2 with a 4.08 ERA as of Sept. 21. He serves as one of the team's middle re‑ lievers and had struck out 21 batters in 39 innings over 19 games. • The Reds called up center fielder and former Wolverine Ryan LaMarre in Sep‑ tember, and he played in 20 games and started five before leaving an 8‑4 loss to Milwaukee Sept. 20 with a strained right hamstring. He was injured while running out a groundout to shortstop. "Hard to say. I would guess we would know more [Sept. 21]," Reds manager Bryan Price told MLB.com of how long LaMarre might be sidelined. "I don't know for sure, but I don't anticipate him playing in the next few days." LaMarre batted only .083 with two runs scored in 24 at‑bats after being called up. ❏ Right-hander Zach Putnam has made 45 relief appearances for the Chicago White Sox this season, posting a 3-3 record, a 4.00 ERA and 59 strikeouts. PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGO WHITE SOX