Red Sox pitcher nearly throws a no-hitter

It would not have counted even if he completed it. And it was only a five-inning game. And he walked six batters and allowed two unearned runs.

But it was still a no-hit bid for Red Sox pitcher Henry Rosario in the 18-and-under division of the Van Cortlandt Baseball League.

The Red Sox had to forfeit the game to the Dodgers because they only had seven players. But, using a couple fill-ins, they still cruised to a 13-2 win on July 25.

Rosario did not allow a hit until the Dodgers’ Anthony Rodriguez slapped a single to left with two outs in the fourth inning. Rosario, who had only one strikeout, was pulled after walking the leadoff man in the fifth. He jokingly tipped his hat to the crowd as he walked off the mound and then went out to play center field.

“I am honored to throw close to a no-hitter,” Rosario said. “I’m pretty upset [that it didn’t count], but it happens. It is what it is.”

“I’m proud of myself, because I tried my hardest today and gave it my all.”

Rosario’s offense backed him with a 15-hit barrage. The Red Sox scored in each of the first four innings, including four runs in the first and six in the second.

Jairo Padida went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, Brandon Arie was 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs and Kevin Garcia was 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and three runs.

“That’s why they were hitting, because it didn’t count,” Red Sox coach Alex Suarez said, laughing. “When the guys showed up to bat today, they did pretty good. Usually, we get eight or 10 hits in the game depending on the pitcher. Usually when the pitcher throws harder, they respond better.”

The Dodgers scored a run in the first inning when David Martinez walked, advanced to third on two passed balls and scored on a throwing error. Willy Guerrero walked to lead off the bottom of the third and stole second and third base before coming home on an errant throw for the Dodgers’ second run, but by then they trailed 10-2.

Rosario is generally the team’s third baseman, and Suarez is always hesitant to let him pitch.

“I never let him pitch because I would never hear the end of it,” he said, laughing. “He did a pretty good job today.”

Rosario got ahead early in the count and let his defense work for him. The Red Sox threw out a runner at the plate in the first inning, a runner at third base to end the fourth inning and catcher Christian Gomez caught a runner trying to steal in the fifth.

“I have faith in my defense,” Rosario said. “It wasn’t a perfect game. But I know we usually swing the bats well.

“And I have to give [my catcher] props, because without him, I can’t do anything. He called a great game.”