This was good timing for the Red Sox.
The same week Franchy Cordero, the outfielder the Sox got in exchange for Andrew Benintendi was sent to Triple-A Worcester, another piece of the deal turned in perhaps the best performance of any Red Sox minor-league pitcher this season.
Pitching for Double-A Portland against the Hartford Yard Goats, Josh Winckowski turned in seven shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out nine and not walking a single batter.
Winckowski's ERA now stands at 1.33 after five starts for Portland, with the 6-foot-4 righty not allowing more than two runs in many of his appearances.
The starter came to the Red Sox from the Mets, who dealt for Winckowski just a few weeks earlier in a trade that sent Steven Matz to Toronto. Along with Cordero and Winckowski, the Red Sox will be receiving three players to be named later in exchange for Benintendi.
For more on Winckowski's path to the Red Sox organization, click here.