Prospect Webster sharp as Pawtucket cruises

Right-hander Allen Webster, the Red Sox No. 2 prospect, held Triple-A Norfolk to one run on three hits in eight innings Friday, leading Pawtucket to a 7-2 victory.

Webster, ranked No. 38 on MLBPipeline.com's Top 100 Prospects list, struck out seven batters and walked one. He threw 102 pitches in his longest outing of the season.

Webster threw six scoreless innings before Chris Marrero hit a two-out home run in the seventh to break up the shutout. Webster responded swiftly, by retiring the final four batters he faced.

With the victory, Webster improved to 3-2 with a 2.93 ERA this season. He has struck out 50 batters and walked 26 in 67 2/3 innings.

The game began as a pitchers' duel between Webster and highly touted Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman, who struck out seven batters. But the PawSox were able to scratch across two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks. Gausman threw 82 pitches, but because the Orioles have placed him on a limited pitch count in an effort to keep him fresh for a potential second-half callup, he was relieved after just four innings.

The PawSox kept adding to their early lead against the Tides' bullpen. First baseman Travis Shaw, the Red Sox No. 19 prospect, went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. He is hitting .283 in six games since being promoted from Double-A Portland.