New Red Sox Relief Pitcher Cracks Joke After Clutch Boston Debut

Lucas Sims was thrown into the fire to kick off his Red Sox tenure.

Sims, who Boston acquired from the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, was called on to relieve starter Brayan Bello in Wednesday’s series finale against Seattle. The Mariners were threatening to break a 2-2 tie when Sims was summoned from the bullpen with runners on first and second and only one out in the seventh.

But the 30-year-old didn’t flinch in the high-pressure spot, as he kept the visitors off the scoreboard and set the tone for his fellow relievers, who didn’t allow a single hit the rest of the contest. The Red Sox went on to walk it off in the 10th when Rafael Devers smacked a game-winning double off the Green Monster.

For Sims, there’s “no better feeling in the world” than getting the job done in a close game. The veteran right-hander also joked about preserving his roster spot via the clutch outing.

“I guess they’ll let us stay,” Sims told reporters with a laugh, per The Boston Globe. “It was very special, very memorable, and it’ll be something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

More intense outings could be on the horizon for Sims, as two key members of the back end of the Boston bullpen currently are dealing with injuries. But the comments he made before his Red Sox debut indicated Sims would embrace those moments should they come his way.