By AUSTIN SPEAKER
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Pat Dean was the star of the show Monday night at Frontier Field, doing something he hasn’t done in nearly two years: throw a complete game
The Boston College Eagle faced two over the minimum and improved to 3-2 on the season striking out four and walking none as the Rochester Red Wings defeated the Toledo Mud Hens 4-0 in International League play.
“It’s always easier going out there knowing your defense is going to make plays behind you,” Dean commented about his outing tonight. “I was able to make my pitches and get my outs as they were hitting it right at out our guys.”
Dean’s biggest strength for the evening was getting the first strike.
“It was huge to get ahead of hitters and making them feel uncomfortable being behind in the count,” he said.
Dean’s gem was the first complete game for a Red Wings pitcher this season, and the BC alum’s first at the Triple-A level. The southpaw’s previous complete game came as part of 5-0 win for the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats on June 29, 2013.
“Everything seems to work out when you can trust your pitches as well as your catcher calling the game.” Dean said of his work with battery mate, Josmil Pinto.
Dean finished the game throwing 111 pitches – 76 for strikes.
“It’s great to be able to develop pitchers who can go deep in the game and do it effectively around 100 pitches,” manager Mike Quade said.
Yes, it was all fun and games for Dean, but that wasn’t the case for opposing left-hander, and former Boston College roommate, Mike Belfiore. Dean and Belfiore went toe-to-toe through the first five innings until the Red Wings pushed across three runs in the sixth inning knocking Belfiore out of the game afterwards.
“I texted him the night before,” said Dean about pitching against his former roommate. “There were a few good luck words but ultimately it felt good to put my team in a situation to win.”
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