Boshers gets key strikeout in big league debut

CLEVELAND -- Left-handed reliever Buddy Boshers was starting to wonder what was going on while sitting in the bullpen Friday night in Round Rock, Texas. He hadn't pitched in four days for Triple-A Salt Lake, and normally the guy who has the most rest gets in the game, but once again, he was passed up.

Then pitching coach Erik Bennett called him into his office and told Boshers why: He was joining the Angels in Cleveland to become the team's 13th pitcher, the corresponding move for second baseman Howie Kendrick landing on the disabled list.

He debuted in Saturday's 7-2 win against the Indians, striking out the only batter he faced, Jason Kipnis, to strand two runners on base and end the sixth.

"I basically got about 30 minutes of sleep because my mind has been going 100 mph since I got the news," the 25-year-old said of his first Major League callup. "It's a dream come true, to be honest with you, and it's been a long time coming. I think I've earned it."

Boshers, an Alabama native, was a fourth-round Draft pick by the Angels in 2008 and was moved primarily to the bullpen two years later. He bounced back from a rough year in the California League in 2012, posting a 2.98 ERA in 45 appearances between Class A and Double-A, and has put up solid numbers again in 2013.

He began the year in Double-A and earned a promotion to Triple-A in mid-July, combining to post a 3.35 ERA in 48 1/3 innings at the two affiliates, striking out 11.4 batters per nine innings, walking 4.7 and putting up a 1.30 WHIP as mainly a full-inning reliever.

Then Boshers recorded probably the biggest out of his first Major League game, setting up C.J. Wilson's win.

"Honestly, I can't even describe it," Boshers said of his one-batter appearance. "It was almost a blur, in a sense. Everything happened so fast, I didn't have time to embrace the situation to the fullest. Bam, bam, bam. Next thing I know, I'm in the dugout."