Rodriguez struck out 13 batters over 5.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks, in a 3-2 extra-inning win over the Rays on Sunday.
He also helped set a new major league record, as Rodriguez and reliever Heath Hembree combined to strike out 11 straight batters, breaking the mark of 10 straight set by Tom Seaver in 1970. There have been a few hiccups in the second half of the season, but the lefty no longer resembles the lost pitcher we saw prior to the All-Star break. In 13 starts since returning to Boston, he has a 3.10 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 23 walks over 72.2 innings. As attention turns toward the postseason, it looks like Rodriguez has pitched himself into Boston's rotation plans, probably as the third starter behind Rick Porcello and David Price. He's in line to get one more start in the regular season, Saturday at home against Toronto.